At McIntosh Dental , we believe everyone deserves to feel confident in their smile. Our Orthodontic Scholarship is about more than straight teeth. It’s about helping young people build confidence, recognise their potential and approach the future with a smile.
We’re proud to introduce our 2026 scholarship winners, Haakon Andersen and Taha Zafar, who will each receive $10,000 of orthodontic treatment.
Haakon Andersen: A brighter future, with confidence
For Haakon Andersen, winning the scholarship was a moment he won’t forget. Having lost his mother at a young age and faced significant challenges growing up, he has shown resilience and determination in working towards a better future.
Haakon credits Waitākere College and the teachers who supported him with helping him recognise his potential and see new possibilities. Today, he is embarking on a welding apprenticeship and building a future he can be proud of.
Having felt self-conscious about his teeth for years, Haakon hopes orthodontic treatment will help him smile more freely, feel more comfortable being himself and approach new opportunities with greater confidence.
“I feel phenomenal, genuinely over the moon. Speechless.”
We’re honoured to support Haakon as he takes this next step. His resilience and determination are an inspiration, and we hope this opportunity brings plenty of new reasons to smile.
Taha Zafar: The power of perseverance
Taha Zafar is a great example of what determination can achieve. A Year 13 student at Henderson High School, he combines strong academic results with a passion for cricket and a commitment to leadership.
Taha has already achieved a great deal, including a Biology Scholarship, and has contributed to school life as a student leader and representative on the Board of Trustees.
After applying for our Orthodontic Scholarship last year and not being successful, Taha decided to try again. This year, his persistence paid off.
Having felt self-conscious about his teeth for years, Taha is looking forward to smiling with greater confidence as he takes his next steps into adulthood.
His advice to other young people is simple: “Keep trying, whether you fail or not. If you work hard, anything is possible.”
Congratulations, Taha. We’re delighted to support you on this journey.
A message from Dr Milan Raniga
Dr Milan Raniga says: “Haakon and Taha both impressed us with their resilience, determination and the way they are working towards a positive future. They have different stories, but both remind us how important it is to have the confidence to be yourself and pursue your goals.
“We’re proud to provide each of them with $10,000 of orthodontic treatment. We hope this opportunity makes a meaningful difference, not just to their smiles, but to how they feel about themselves as they take on the next chapter of their lives.”
More than a smile
Our Orthodontic Scholarship is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a young person’s life. We’re proud to support Haakon and Taha and look forward to following their journeys as their confidence grows.
Congratulations, Haakon and Taha. We’re looking forward to seeing you smile.
