Mana Pounamu Young Achievers Awards
The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers Awards is an annual celebration that recognises the achievements and potential of rakatahi Māori (Māori youth) in secondary schools across Otago.
Specifically, the objectives of these Awards are to:
- Celebrate the success and achievement of rakatahi Māori;
- Encourage rakatahi Māori to participate in tertiary study;
- Identify leadership potential; and
- Provide positive role models to rakatahi Māori.
The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers Awards were brought about through the vision of the late Tāua, Alva Kapa and were named as such because they were first held in the Year of Mana Pounamu (2001). The Awards are a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Arāiteuru, the University of Otago, the Otago Polytechnic, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Ministry of Education.
Details of the 2009 ceremony are as follows:
Te Rā/Date: Friday, 30th October 2009
Te Wā/Times: 5.30pm (Mihi Whakatau)
Te Wāhi/Venue: University of Otago College of Education Auditorium, Union Street East
In 2009, there are a total of 34 award winners, 20 of whom are tuakana (senior recipients), and 14 of whom are teina (junior recipients). A number of scholarships are also being awarded by the Otago Polytechnic (full fees payment for a chosen course of study) and AgResearch (for the University of Otago Hands on Science week in 2010).
As well as the Mana Pounamu award, Otago Polytechnic also offers full fee paid scholarships to all senior recipients. This was the initiative of the CEO Phil Ker and the Kaitohutohu Dr Khyla Russell following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Kā Rūnaka o Arai te Uru and Otago Polytechnic. Dr Russell has been involved in the Mana Pounamu Awards from the outset along with Alva Kapa and Ron Bull. Students who have been offered these scholarships have said that this has greatly contributed to their decision to study at Otago Polytechnic. Students have gone on to graduate with various Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates from a diverse range including Diploma in Design and Bachelor of Nursing.