Congratulations to former Papamoa College student, Shuari Naidoo, for being nominated as a Young Leader finalist in the 2021 Women of Influence Awards.

Shuari is CEO of Tauranga Business Moraka Menstrual Cups. Shuari began her Moraka Menstrual Cups business, as part of the YES programme in 2019, and won Regional Entrepreneur of the Year. 

In 2020 she continued the business on her own, finding her own supplier for the cups rather than on selling for another NZ menstrual cups provider, she was runner up for the Regional Business of the Year for the YES programme. She won a scholarship to work with a business mentor with GirlBoss and was selected to attend the YES LatAm Biz entrepreneurship in action domestic tour in 2020. She was also the President of the Pāpāmoa College Leos Club in 2020. 

Shauri has been recording her volunteering hours on the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) App* and was awarded the SVA 2020 Student Volunteer of the Year, racking up more volunteering hours than anyone in the country. 

In July this year, Shauri was an award recipient of Y25, The YWCA's Y25 List, awards 25 women each year;

"rising trailblazers, young women who are raising their voices, challenging the status quo, and fighting for a fairer Aotearoa. They are doers, makers, shakers, change-makers and community leaders doing incredible things to wake up and change their world. They may have just started out or already be kicking goals, but wherever they are on the journey we want to celebrate them!"  

Currently, Shuari is finishing her first year of an Arts Degree, majoring in Politics and Criminology. She is the current President of the Victoria University Feminist Society, and the President of the Victoria University Arts Society.

Shuari is one of around 60 New Zealanders named as finalists in the 9th annual Women of Influence Awards. The awards recognise women both making a difference in the work they do and paving the way for others to follow. 

Candidates will be judged on their demonstrated vision, leadership, innovation and action in and beyond their field; as well as their impact and how it was achieved.

We are very proud of Shauris' nomination and wish her all the best in the finals. What an incredibly talented woman!

*The SVA App is a great way to gain recognition for hours spent volunteering (at home, school or community). Having these hours recorded could come in handy for applications for jobs, uni, tech and scholarships.