Great Kiwi Kids recognised at 2015 Excellence Awards

Great Kiwi Kids recognised at 2015 Excellence Awards

Twenty-seven extraordinary young people received prestigious awards at the 2015 Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) Excellence Awards at Government House in Auckland last night.

Award winners, mentors, youth leaders and supporters from all over the country gathered in Auckland to attend New Zealand’s premier youth awards that are a highlight on the FYD calendar.

FYD CEO Marion Short says the Excellence Awards acknowledge the accomplishments of successful young Kiwis, many of whom have climbed big mountains to overcome challenges and made massive changes to both their outlook and their lives.

“We’re so proud of all our winners,” says Short. “Their progress and achievements are outstanding and great examples of the difference our programmes can make to the lives of our young people.”

Not only did the prestigious event pay tribute to young leaders around the country, the occasion marked twenty years since FYD was founded by mountaineer and adventurer, Graeme Dingle.

Dingle began the FYD journey with co-founder and wife Jo-anne at the top of One Tree Hill in Auckland by rallying together some of the country’s most iconic Kiwis including Sir Edmund Hillary, Dame Cath Tizard, Sir Paul Reeves and Murray Deaker where they pledged their intention to establish an organisation that would make a positive impact on New Zealand’s negative youth statistics.

“Over the past twenty years we have shown how committed we are to the development of young people in New Zealand,” says Graeme Dingle.

“The Excellence Awards are an extremely important occasion for us as we showcase the accomplishments of our young people across the country.”

The FYD Excellence Awards were held at Government House in Auckland and opened by FYD Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor General of New Zealand. Special guests included Lady Janine Mateparae, Hon Paula Bennett, Hon Nikki Kaye and the daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary, Sarah Hillary and her family.

The line-up of awards included the inaugural Outstanding Volunteer Award presented to a volunteer in the wider FYD community who demonstrated their commitment and dedication to FYD’s mission and values through their work to support FYD’s programmes.

A special announcement was made on the night by Dean Ellwood, FYD Chair, who launched the charity’s intention to rename in 2016 as (the) Graeme Dingle Foundation.

In total, 27 awards were presented, including:

· Thirteen Project K Student Excellence Awards for graduates of Project K who have shown the most outstanding commitment to the Project K programme and made significant changes in their lives, supported by NZ Steel and Lion.

· Four Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards to acknowledge the great contribution of Stars Peer Mentors who are making a significant difference in the lives of the juniors in their school, supported by Sanitarium.

· The Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award for an FYD alumni who has gone on to achieve excellence, supported by Kiwibank.

· Three Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Team Awards presented to Kiwi Can leaders to recognise the wonderful contributions of leaders who are making a difference to the lives of young people, sponsored by Halls Group.

· Two MYND Youth Achievement Awards to acknowledge outstanding progress made by graduates of the MYND programme, sponsored by Stride.

· The Career Navigator Award to acknowledge outstanding progress made by graduates of the Career Navigator programme, supported by SAP.

· The Outstanding Kiwi Can School awarded to a school from around New Zealand running an impeccable Kiwi Can programme and producing wonderful results, supported by Genesis Energy.

· Two Outstanding Volunteer Award presented to a volunteer in the wider FYD community who demonstrated their commitment and dedication to FYD’s mission and values through their work to support FYD’s programmes.

2015 Award Recipients

Project K Student Excellence Awards: Leniel Taufelila (South Auckland), Sarah Wiley (North Shore), Chelsea-Jade Hodgson (North Shore), Foa Samuleu (South Auckland), Raedean Puckey (West Auckland), Panapa Peeni (West Auckland), Zac Vincent (North Shore), Bailey Roma (Waikato), Ashley Wilson (Mt Manganui), Pim Chammoung (Bay of Plenty), Brodie Murrell (Hawke’s Bay), Shontelle Wallace (Christchurch) and Tia McRae (Southland)

Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards: Dani Belcredi (West Auckland), Luther Ngawaka (Tokoroa), Turoa Tepana (Waikato) and Katy Rossiter (Waikato),

Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award (for a Project K Alumni): Emily Kay (Hamilton)

Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Team Awards: Here Piho and Fou Alapati (South Auckland), Sophie King and Kate Hermansen (Christchurch), Di Huntley and Sophia Buckingham (Marlborough)

MYND Youth Achievement Awards: Victor Davis (South Auckland) and Junior Seumalu (South Auckland)

Career Navigator Award: Nishil Vineet Prasad (South Auckland)

Outstanding Kiwi Can School Award: Fernworth Primary (Southland)

Outstanding Volunteer Award: Dave Thompson (Wellington)

The late Peter Crellin - awarded a posthumous award for his services to FYD as a Volunteer. His wife Frances collected the Award on his behalf

FYD currently helps almost 20,000 young New Zealanders aged 5 to 18 years in over 40 communities across the country each year through its proven programmes - Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K, Career Navigator and MYND. All FYD programmes build on young people’s talents through physical and mental challenges; developing core life skills and helping them achieve their potential in order to succeed in life.

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