The annual Mana Pounamu Young Achievers' celebrating the vast and varied achievements of Rakatahi Māori (Māori youth) in secondary schools across Otago.

Each October, Mana Pounamu acknowledges the many wonderful accomplishments of rakatahi Māori, and aims to inspire them to consider tertiary education as a natural progression. The Awards provide an opportunity to showcase our future leaders, providing inspirational role models to other Māori youth across the province.

Mana Pounamu is a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Arāiteuru, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the Ministry of Education and the Otago Daily Times.

Congratulations to Maia Penhey (Tuakana) and Sophie Smart (Teina) who both received the 2023 awards for Logan Park High School. Ka mau te wehi e hine mā!