Media Release
Friday, 23rd November 2012
2012 AMP Scholarships Recipients Announced
Last night, AMP New Zealand hosted their 15th annual AMP Scholarships – National Awards Dinner, announcing the 14
recipients at a black-tie event at Auckland Museum.
The New Zealand Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, presented the highly anticipated awards –
recognizing Kiwi talent from all walks of life.
The largest scholarship was awarded to Dr Andrew McDaid, he has developed a robotic device to enable stroke patients to
re-learn to walk. With an incredible passion to use engineering to enhance the rehabilitation process of injured
patients, Andrew’s goal is to use robotics to support their mobility and independence. Andrew has a Bachelor in
Engineering and a PHD in Mechatronics, and at the youthful age of 26 he has demonstrated a successful, strong career
ahead of him.
Over $1.5 million in AMP Scholarships have been awarded to outstanding New Zealanders since
1998. These Scholarships have enabled more than 130 Kiwis to ‘do their thing’ within their fields of interest.
Blair Vernon, AMP General Manager – Marketing and Customer Sales, is highly impressed with both the ingenuity and
calibre of this year’s applicants.
“I’m blown away by the exceptional response this year. It is truly amazing and inspiring to see the incredible things
that Kiwis are achieving right here in New Zealand and around the world. We’ve had an overwhelming number of
applications ranging from those involved in forward-thinking social change projects through to scientific research,
sports and everything in between.”
“The benchmark has been set extremely high for next year’s AMP Scholarships, and it’s great to see such passion and
commitment from these amazing recipients,” he concludes.
The recipients of the AMP National Scholarships are:
Chase Douglas
Dr Andrew McDaid
Brittany Robertson
Sarah Clifford
Tom Brookman
Maya Shino
Juliet Arnott
Carl Murphy
Pauline Herbst
Jacob Smith
Kate Yang
Sam Judd
Back for the second year, the AMP Study Start Scholarship was awarded to Gabriel Callaghan.
Recognising talent within AMP, the AMP People Scholarship was awarded to Karen Whittaker from the AMP adviser training
team. Karen’s thing is writing science fiction fantasy books, and her goal for
2013 is to distribute her published novel throughout New Zealand.
With no restrictions on entering, AMP judges searched the country for Kiwis with passion, determination and a dream.
Alongside financial support, each recipient was offered financial and planning advice from an AMP Adviser.
Applications for the AMP Scholarships in 2013 will open in mid-April next year.
Ends
AMP Scholarships include four scholarship categories:
• AMP National Scholarships – Open to all NZ citizens or permanent residents who are committed to achieving their dream
• Adviser Business Scholarships – 12 adviser businesses across the country offered more than $100,000 in scholarship
funds, awarding their Scholarships throughout October.
• AMP Study Start Scholarship – $15,000 for one Year 12 or 13 student, to be used towards their tertiary studies
• People’s Choice Scholarship – a $10,000 Scholarship as voted on facebook.com/AMPDoYourThing throughout September this year.