Thomasin's on a mission - 'I'M USING MY POWER FOR GOOD'

The caring Kiwi isn't letting fame go to her head

- Elisabeth Easther

Ever since she appeared in Consent: The Thomasin Louise Nicholas McKenzie's acting career has gone from strength to strength, with lead roles in Jojo Rabbit, Leave No Trace and most recently Eileen, with Anne Hathaway.

As part of the Harcourt acting dynasty - Thomasin's grandmother is Dame Kate Harcourt and her mother Dame Miranda Harcourt award-winning Thomasin has always known that fame comes with responsibility.

"Success has given me great privilege and influence, and I'd be remiss not to use that power for good," she says.

To make good on her promise, 22-year-old Thomasin is an ambassador for So They Can, a nonprofit organisation that seeks to empower materially poor people in Kenya and Tanzania through education. Established 14 years ago, So they Can has set up schools, teachers' colleges, medical centres and children's homes, as well as offering business courses and providing micro-finance.

Thanks to Wanaka-based CEO Cass Treadwell, So They Can has also attracted a team of dedicated Kiwi ambassadors, among them Kimbra, Peta Mathias, Neil Finn and Conrad Smith, who all shine a light on this vital work, with Thomasin the most recent recruit.

To deeper understand the work being done, Thomasin visited Kenya in March. "I'd already taken part in 1HumanRace, which is a major fundraiser, and I sponsor a child, but actually seeing the work made it more real,” she explains.