The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards was brought about through the vision of the late Tāua, Alva Kapa, a local Kāi Tahu educator. It was named as such because it was first held in the Year of Mana Pounamu (2001) and is a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Ārai-Te-Uru.
The awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of rakatahi Māori in secondary schools across Otago. The underlying objectives of these awards are to:
Celebrate the success and achievement of rakatahi Māori
Encourage rakatahi to participate in further tertiary study
Identify leadership potential
Provide positive role models to rakatahi Māori
Create networking opportunities
Provide and distribute information relating to study, career and scholarships.
This year because of Covid19 the organising committee decided not to have their usual celebration where all of the Otago schools come together to celebrate their Mana Pounamu recipients. Instead they encouraged schools to have their own celebration.
All of this year's recipients from King's and Queen's High Schools were present or past members of He Waka Kotuia. On Monday November 2 after our HWK practice Whaea Cherie organised for the two schools and families of our 2020 recipients to attend the celebration of this years award winners.
Our recipients were
Queen's High School:
Teina
Vanessa Munro
Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata & Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
Special Award: University of Otago, Hands on Otago Award
He Waka Kōtuia
Te Aho Paihere
Ngā Manu Kōrero (2019)
Waewae Kai Pakiaka kaikōkiri (facilitator 2020)
Senior A Netball
Senior A Waterpolo
Otago Waterpolo (2018)
Basketball (2020)
Most improved Intermediate A Netball Player (2019)
Te Reo Māori Excellence Award 2019
Merit in Science, Dance and Physical Education 2019
Tuakana
Maisy Costa
Ngāpuhi, Tainui, Ngāti Raukawa
He Waka Kōtuia
Queens of the Pacific
Youth Leader at DCBC
Deputy Head Girl
Formal committee
Year 9 Peer support leader
Year 9 Mentor
Relay for Life
Netball Coaching & Umpiring
Incubator, Career in Health
NZMSC Rangatahi o te Moana Marine Science Extension Programme
National Council of Women Group
Ethics Olympiad
King's High School:
Teina
Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu
Tainui
He Waka Kōtuia 2018-2020.
Kings of the Pacific 2018-2020.
Member of First Church Youth Group.
Participant of Samoan Independence Day.
Oestreicher Award for Leadership 2018-2019).
University Of Otago Māori science Wananga 2019.
Pasifika Economics Group (Otago Business School 2019)
NCEA Level One (Endorsed with Excellence)
Tuakana
Tomuri Spicer
Ngā Puhi
Special Award: Otago Daily Times, Excellence in English Award
He Waka Kōtuia 2017-2020
Lion Foundation Song writing finalist 2019-2020
Hook, Line and Singalong National Song writing finalist 2020
Dunedin Summer Shakespeare 2019
School Productions 2017-2020
Globe Theatre 2017-2020
Acafellas (King Choir)
School Prefect 2020
Deputy Māori Leader 2020
Deputy House Leader 2020
NCEA Level 1 and 2 Endorsed with Excellence
Marine Science Wananga at Ōtākou Marae and Otago University
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