NESCAFé Big Break calls for entries

NESCAFé Big Break calls for entries Quarter of a million dollars on offer for ambitious NZ youth

The annual Nescafé Big Break is being launched nationwide today offering ambitious 16 to 24 year olds the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.

Boasting a total prize pool of AUD$256,000, Nescafé Big Break is a unique youth initiative that has run in New Zealand for the past three years, and more than a decade in Australia. Over 5000 entries were received in 2002.

Last year three New Zealanders from Kimbolton in the Manawatu, Kurow near Oamaru, and Christchurch took home a cash prize. Each winner boasts a unique aspiration such as computer game animation, and the production of coloured sheepskins.

Hamish Williams, a hydroponic lettuce grower based in the Manawatu was a major winner in 2002 taking home AUD$20,000.

"I am so grateful to Nescafé - it really was a big break and will allow me to buy my own greenhouse with the aim to launch a new product," says Hamish.

Nescafé Big Break is unique in that it is not designed to be a high achievement award. Rather, it is about giving our young people the freedom to choose what they want to do with their lives and provides them with the cash to do so.

There are no specific categories so entries tend to cover the full breadth of interests from inventors to sports stars, music producers to fashion designers.

The two age categories are 16 - 19 year olds and 20 - 24 year olds and in each category the top six winners will each receive AUD$20,000 and four runner-up winners, AUD$2000.

Entries for this year's Nescafé Big Break close on Friday July 11, 2003. Finalists will be selected in August and asked to submit further details about their entry in order to win a cash prize. 20 winners will then be flown to Sydney in October to present their ideas to a judging panel made up of Nescafé Big Break past winners. Based on their presentations, the judges will award the top and runner-up prizes.

Entry forms are now available online at http://www.nescafebigbreak.co.nz or by calling the hotline on 0800 430 043.

© Scoop Media