Mana Pounamu by Kristan Mouat

Mana Pounamu Award Winners

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Congratulations to Ahinata Kaitai-Mullane and Ziggi Kaitai-Martin, our 2017 Mana Pounamu Young Achievers' Award recipients. 

The awards celebrate the achievements of rakatahi Maori in secondary schools across Otago.  Both Ahi and Ziggi have an impressive list of achievements and accomplishments as well as significant contributions and service to the wider community.  

Ahi received a Class Act Award recognising Excellence across a wide range of areas from Prime Minister Bill English earlier this year.  Ahi was one of the top 25 Biology students in the country selected to attend the Bio Olympiad and she is also a nationally recognised speaker and actor.  As well as achieving NCEA Levels One and Two endorsed with Excellence, Ahi also gained an NZQA Scholarship in Drama as a Year 12 student. 

Ziggi is a talented sportsman and Otago regional representative in Futsal as well as Parkour.  He placed second in Under 16 Freestyle at the New Zealand Parkour Championships this year.  He also acts as a volunteer coach for younger Parkour enthusiasts several hours a week.