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Meet our 2026 Bright Future finalists, Rosalie and Murphy

Bright Future Prize is all about empowering aspiring community leaders. Hosted by ACT, the annual prize has already invested over £185,000 in young people from around the world to help them take their bright ideas to make a difference to the next level.

2026 marks Bright Future's fifth anniversary. Over this time the prize has evolved and grown, but as ever our shortlist of finalists each exemplify ambition and commitment to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Over the coming weeks, we're showcasing all eight of our finalists – representing Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, and the UK – to provide the opportunity to get to know more about their bright ideas and what drives their passion projects.

So, say hello to Rosalie and Murphy.

Showcasing Māori and Ni Vanuatu Pasifika communities through music

Rosalie Norton
Hamilton, New Zealand

Kia ora koutou katoa – a warm and inclusive Māori greeting apt for Rosalie's bright idea!

A lyricist, musician and creator, Rosalie uses song to capture the spirit of two cultures close to her roots – Ni Vanuatu Pasifika and Māori (New Zealand and Vanuatu indigenous peoples respectively).

Using song, she aims to inspire young people in the community to preserve and connect one another and their heritage, with her music exploring themes of identity, culture and belonging in Aotearoa (Māori-language name for New Zealand, translated most often to mean "Land of the long white cloud"). 

Under her artist’s name, Lehali, Rosalie is creating a collection of music to empower ideas of mana wāhine (power, authority, dignity, and prestige of Māori women) to uplift and help people feel seen. The music is a form of collective activism, with each song conveying a different story related to New Zealand or the Pacific.

My passions are all around being able to amplify the voices of young people and marginalised communities. My music and my community work is all about people being able to feel like they have the freedom to be themselves. The album is for everyone and anyone in their journey. It's a cool opportunity for people with indigenous backgrounds to be able to feel themselves represented in stories and music.
Rosalie

Murphy Kasumu
Northfleet, UK

University can feel like the only route to get that first job outside of education. However, for many alternative routes could be a fantastic option – which is where work placements can be incredibly important to help get a flavour of various career choices and to develop experience.

Murphy himself has seen young people struggle to access apprenticeships due to a lack of work experience, so he's tackling this head on through his student-led digital platform, Gradify.

An app and website, Gradify aims to help young people access work placements, networking events and insight days.

He initially developed the app in just a month – after being hit by inspiration in his own school when he saw that academic excellence alone wasn’t the only way to take that first career step. Just four months after that had almost 1,000 users. Now, he wants to further build the app and expand to more schools in Kent.

Only 1.5% of students manage to get a degree apprenticeship. Students get grades, but lack that work experience. They couldn't find those opportunities, like networking events or insight days. I thought, why not do something to help these students find these opportunities, which is where Gradify comes in."
Murphy

What happens next?

Over May, we'll continue to share more on our shortlist through our finalists showcase. Then, in June, our ACT Trustees will select the four winners, who will each win £10,000 to take their idea to that next stage and beyond. 

Stay connected with Bright Future Prize and ACT

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