Buller High School Bollywood Group Wins Whetū Mātaiata Award

Media Release, Saturday 25 March 2017

Embargoed until 9 pm

BULLER HIGH SCHOOL BOLLYWOOD GROUP WINS WHETŪ MĀTAIATA AWARD AT 2016 TRUSTPOWER NATIONAL COMMUNITY AWARDS

Buller High School Bollywood Group, representing the Buller District, has been presented with the Whetū Mātaiata Award at the prestigious Trustpower National Community Awards.

The Awards were announced tonight (Saturday 25 March) at the 2016 Trustpower National Community Awards Dinner, held at the Blue Baths, Rotorua.

The Whetū Mātaiata Award, was introduced in 2016 after it was identified that some of the groups were capable of even more than they have already achieved.

The Whetū Mātaiata Award is sponsored by Exult, one of New Zealand’s leading training providers for the community sector.

Kerri Tilby-Price, Exult’s Managing Director, has seen first-hand the impact that volunteers have on their communities.

“So many organisations leave great ideas never properly realised because they’re not sure how to take the next step.

If we can help get one great idea to the next level, then not only will the organisation benefit, the whole community will benefit as well.” says Tilby-Price.

Exult has been involved with the Trustpower National Community Awards for six years, forming a relationship based on a shared interest in the community sector. Exult aims to provide training and support that inspires, equips and re-energises community organisations.

“We love that the Trustpower National Community Awards celebrate the little guys, as well as the big guys. The groups have achieved amazing things through sheer hard work and commitment, so we thought we would take a special interest in one particular group by giving them a little extra help and establishing the Whetū Mātaiata Award.”

The award was established to nurture a group with strong potential that needs some gentle development and support which they might not have access to or have the resources to achieve alone.

They would be seen as a ‘rising star’ amongst voluntary groups which is reasoning behind the name ‘Whetū Mātaiata ’. This name encompasses ‘the morning star’, a beautiful one that is on its way upwards to reach its peak. Whetū Mātaiata signifies innovation and navigating different environments and reflects the growth, strength, yor.impact and development that Buller High School Bollywood Group, will achieve even more so with the help of this award’s prize.”

The announcement that Buller High School Bollywood Group, were the winners of this award comes after a full day for the 25 teams participating in the Trustpower National Community Awards. Today, each regional team gave an eight minute presentation on their activities or project in a judging session held at Bay Trust Forum at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. The teams were judged on that presentation and on a 1,000 word summary about each group provided prior to the event.

Buller High School Bollywood Group, was represented at the Trustpower National Community Awards by Muni Ratnam and Jayshri Ratnam, along with Garry Howard, Buller District Ma

Buller High School Bollywood Group, eight minute presentation outlined one girl’s experience of moving away from all she knew, and so, in turn, establishing a group to share her culture and get to know her community.

Trustpower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says Buller High School Bollywood Group, is another great example of good community initatives coming out of Buller High School.

“This Bollywood dance group was created by a dozen Buller High School students and has developed a surge of new found interest in Indian culture in the community. The group was formed as a way to share and learn about another culture – their values, and their importance.

The community has wholeheartedly welcomed the Bollywood group and shown their appreciation and support.”

For receiving the Whetū Mātaiata Award, Buller High School Bollywood Group, received a certificate and an Exult consultancy service package to the value of $3250.

The Supreme Winner was Koha Kai, representing Invercargill and Southland, and the Runner-Up was the Bay Bush Action Trust, representing the Far North District.

The Supreme Winner, Koha Kai, received a trophy, $4,000 prize money, a $1000 Exult voucher and a framed certificate. Bay Bush Action Trust received $2,500 prize money, a $500 Exult voucher and a framed certificate.

“Trustpower is proud to lead the way in recognising, rewarding and celebrating the incredible contribution volunteers make to New Zealand communities.

All 25 groups participating in the Trustpower National Community Awards are shining examples of the amazing work volunteers undertake every day in cities and districts all around New Zealand. These groups have already won recognition in their regions and we are delighted to be able to showcase their efforts nationally at this weekend’s event,” says Suzi.

This award was judged by the Trustpower Community Relations Team and Exult’s Tilby-Price, along with Rosie Julou, GM of Exult.

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