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 Arai-Te-Uru. It was Alva Kapa who gifted the name Wairua Pūhou to our own kapa haka.

The awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of rakatahi Māori in secondary schools across Otago. Each school, along with support of whānau nominates a junior and senior student. Otago Polytech and Otago University both offer substantial scholarships to senior recipients.

Bronte Allen, Taranaki, of Year 11 and Tuihana Taiaroa-Smithies, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, of Year 13 were our 2019 school teina and tuakana nominees.

Bronte has been an active member of the school choir, Wairua Pūhou kapa haka, is an outstanding reo Māori student and is part of Kāhui Kōrero, our Māori Student Council.

Bronte’s whanau endorsement confirmed Matua Mac Te Ngāhue’s testimony:

“ …she is always the one in the kitchen at our noho helping to clean up; she never needs to be asked and she always stays until the task is completed” Bronte’s brother Corbyn was the senior nominee for Otago Boys’ High School this year.

Tuihana has been very involved in dramatic arts and costume design, having been costumier for our school productions for three years, going on tour to the UK as a member of the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company 2018 and this yesr sitting 2019 Scholarship in Textiles Technology. Tui was not able to receive her award in person as she was being interviewed for entry into Toi Whakaari.

Her whanau statement included these words:

“Tuihana is an important member of our whānau, she has followed her mother’s pathway of being very talented and creative through fine arts and textiles. Tuihana enjoys using her talents to support others…. Tuihana has a great social conscience and understanding of her surroundings.”

Our school and whanau are very proud of these leaders and their achievements. Poho kererū tātou katoa mō te tokorua nei!