In the 2024–2025 season, Zara recorded personal bests of 9:54.91 for 3000m at the Potts Classic in Hastings and 4:40.28 for 1500m at the Porritt Classic in Hamilton. These times place her amongst New Zealand’s top junior middle-distance runners. She also placed 5th in the NZ U20 Mile Championships, clocking 5:02.32.
Zara always makes a significant impact at national competitions. She placed 11th in the Senior Girls' race at the 2024 NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships and then improved to 8th place in 2025. Both times these performances contributed to Auckland’s gold medal in the Inter-Provincial Team Competition. Her performances also earned her selection into the NZSSAA Cross Country Team in both years
Zara’s regional successes include many gold, silver and bronze medals. Her racing style is characterized by acute tactical awareness and consistency as she usually finishes strongly in highly competitive fields. Her continued selection to represent New Zealand is a testament to her high national ranking and recognition.
Beyond athletics, Zara is a high-performing student at Glendowie College, where she has been awarded the Goldman Cup for Distance Running, the Blues Award for New Zealand Representation, and has been recognised on the school Honours Board in 2023 and 2024. Academically, she has gained Excellence Endorsements and earned a Level 3 Scholarship in Biology. She also served as a Peer Support Leader, praised for her organisational skill, maturity, and ability to lead and connect with others.
Teachers and coaches describe Zara as an outstanding student and athlete, known for her maturity, problem-solving ability, and relational communication style. She is intelligent, well-organised, and committed to academic excellence, while also bringing energy, humility, inspiration and leadership to her training environment.