Tool Blacks Return Triumphant From 2007 WorldSkills Finals
The 2007 ‘Tool Blacks’ team has achieved the best results ever by a New Zealand team at the international WorldSkills
Competition. At the Closing Ceremony last night, New Zealand was awarded 1 Silver medal, 2 Bronze medals and 5
Medallions of Excellence; the team has delivered on their promise and proved to the world that New Zealand continues to
produce high quality trades people.
The results for the New Zealand team are as follows:
The ‘Tool Blacks’ results rank New Zealand as 24th out of 46 member countries competing. Sudheer Ramjathan was awarded
the ‘Best of Nation’ award for his fantastic performance of 528 points which secured him a Silver medal – equalling New
Zealand’s highest ever individual performance.
The Team was boosted by the visit of the Minster of Tourism, Hon Damien O’Connor, on the 16th November. The Minister
made a special effort to visit the WorldSkills Competition site to learn more about the event and to support the New
Zealand team.
“These young people are not only ambassadors for their trades, but for New Zealand youth also. If we are to transform
New Zealand into a higher growth, higher skilled economy we need more young people like them.” said Mr O’Connor
The team will be arriving back into Auckland International Airport at 9.30am tomorrow morning, 23rd November, with a
welcome home reception open to all in the international arrivals area planned for 10am.
The ‘Tool Blacks’ and their Team Leader, Dean Lipscombe, will be available for interviews from 10am onwards.
ENDS