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Otago Daily Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Extra reason to celebrate in Mana Pounamu's 25th year
Mana Pounamu award recipients Jade Taani (left), 17, of Queen's High School, and Camila Barns, 15, of Trinity Catholic College, share a laugh at the University of Otago College of Education Auditorium yesterday. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH A special milestone for an award ceremony celebrating Maori students across Otago helps a passionate educator's legacy live on, her daughter says. Māori senior strategic adviser Janine Kapa said it was a special moment for her and her family celebrating the 25th year of the Mana Pounamu awards yesterday at the University of Otago College of Education Auditorium. The awards were initiated by her mother, Alva Kapa, to acknowledge taiohi Māori (Maori youth) across Otago. Ms Kapa said her mother died weeks before the first Mana Pounamu in 2001. "My mum helped conceptualise this and it's been a legacy that not just myself but my whanau have carried. "Twenty-five years on, it's just grown." The Mana Pounamu award recipients. She said her mother thought there should be an award ceremony to recognise achievements of Maori students. "It came about when my mum saw the Class Act Awards in the late '90s and she didn't see many brown faces, she didn't see many of our kids in there. "She felt we needed our own celebration because our young Māori students are shining stars and they're achieving some amazing things." The first Mana Pounamu was held in the Hutton Theatre at Tūhura Otago Museum with just 12 recipients. Yesterday, there were 53 recipients. Ms Kapa said it was nice to see students supporting other students in their regions by performing haka for them. This was the first year the ceremony was split into two sessions, with students from out-of-town schools and Dunedin schools. Between the sessions, the students shared a hangi for lunch at the Otago Polytechnic hub. The 2025 Mana Pounamu Young Achievers' Awards recipients: Tuākana (Years 12 and 13) Hadley Farquharson (Cromwell College), Sky Sanders (Dunstan High School), Luka May (South Otago High School), Atlanta McDowell-Williams (St Kevin's College), Ryan Enoka (Te Kura o Tititea/Mount Aspiring College), Portia Chambers (The Catlins Area School), Nirvana Collins (Tokomairiro High School), Ned Newlands-Carter (Waitaki Boys' High School), Lilyrose Tuahine (Waitaki Girls' High School), Elisabeth Purdue (Wakatipu High School), Sam Stoddart (Bayfield High School), Shanti Kara (Columba College), Andreis Fuatavai (East Otago High School), Jayden Toro (John McGlashan College), Wairangi Tunoho (Kaikorai Valley College), Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu (King's High School), Sophie Smart (Logan Park High School), William Munro (Otago Boys' High School), Jade Wilson (Otago Girls' High School), Jade Taani (Queen's High School), Lola Murray (St Hilda's Collegiate School), Sarah Evans (Taieri College) Tīrea Campbell (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti) and Evie de Graaf (Trinity Catholic College). Tēina (Years 10 and 11) Riley Dickey (Cromwell College), Eli Knights (Dunstan High School), Dakota Nicoll (Maniototo Area School), Kahtaralise Keil (Roxburgh Area School), Kyla Te Moananui-Currie (South Otago High School), Kuramairangi Ainsley (St Kevin's College), Maia Wheeler (Te Kura o Tititea/Mount Aspiring College), Harrison Waaka (The Catlins Area School), Saffron Healey (Tokomairiro High School), Mana Fisilau (Waitaki Boys' High School), Ruby Drummond (Waitaki Girls' High School), Bailey Tiananga (Wakatipu High School), Hunter Moir (Bayfield High School), Honor Blaikie (Columba College), Sophie Hutcherson (East Otago High School), Kura-mātakitaki Stevens (John McGlashan College), Kotuku Wana (Kaikorai Valley College), Tūkitaharaki Pōtiki (King's High School), Aria Molinari (Logan Park High School), Crew Wilson (Otago Boys' High School), Lyla Ward (Otago Girls' High School), Pipiata Ritchie (Queen's High School), Xanthe Dillon (St Hilda's Collegiate School), Cruize Douglas (Taieri College), Ngāki Kiore (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti) and Camila Barns (Trinity Catholic College).
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Event gives girls a go at power generation
Cromwell College students Georgia Lapthorne and Ayla Deuchrass, operate an underwater drone and communicate with their fellow students to retrieve as many orange pipes from the water as possible. PHOTOS: ELLA JENKINS Nearly two dozen year 10 and 11 high school students braved the cold to get a taste of working in the electricity generation industry at the Girls With Hi-Viz event held at Clyde Power Station yesterday. The high school students, who came from as far as Invercargill, were able to get hands-on experience with some of the equipment used on the job in the industry. The event was part of the Girls With Hi-Viz programme centred around trades in the infrastructure industry, with feedback from females already in those roles. Southland students visited Manapouri power station earlier this month. Yesterday, students were able to try operating large roof-mounted cranes from their cabs high above the ground, as well as use a special underwater drone in a challenge to collect as many items from the water as possible. As well as getting hands-on experience, the students took part in a tour of the dam, and learned about how it was built and some of the features installed to protect it in the event of an earthquake or flood. Cromwell College student Ruby Cookson said she found the event interesting and was excited to see what was on offer working in the electricity generation industry. Operating the crane was the highlight of her day, but she said it was a bit scary as it was high up. Students tour the dam and power generation facilities in Clyde. Cromwell College pathways manager Jenna Faulkner said the beauty of the event was the girls could see the different pathways in the trades, especially in Clyde. Connexis Infrastructure Training customer service and accounts manager Stephen Griffiths said the organisation set up the Girls With Hi-Viz programme to encourage women to get into industries such as electricity generation. The programme had been running in Central Otago for years and was well-received by students, teachers and industry. Mr Griffiths believed initiatives like Girls With Hi-Viz had helped get more women into the electricity generation industry. "Girls have attended these events and have later ended up working in the industry," he said Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley was at the event for the first time, observing the students as they took part in the activities. "It's awesome to see careers in the trades showcased to women," she said.
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Doors Open On The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival This Friday
The countdown is on! This Friday, 20 June, the 23rd NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival kicks off in Wānaka, welcoming audiences to an exhilarating programme of award-winning films, world-class speakers, and remarkable adventures that will leave a lasting impact. The festival runs for five days in Wānaka (20–24 June) and two days in Queenstown (26–27 June), providing an opportunity to experience the best of outdoor storytelling on the big screen. As well as enjoying great films, the festival is all about inspiring people to make their own adventures – big or small. For those who can't make it to Wānaka or Queenstown, or who simply prefer to experience adventure in their own time and from the comfort of their own couch, the Online Festival runs from 1–31 July. Festival Director Whitney Oliver hopes audiences will embrace both experiences. 'There's nothing quite like reconnecting with fellow adventure-lovers and sharing those edge-of-your-seat moments,' says Oliver. She continues: 'The atmosphere throughout the festival just buzzes, and the stoke is infectious. But for those who can't travel or take part in Wānaka or Queenstown, the Online Festival is the perfect way to avoid the FOMO and fill your adventure cup.' While the Online Festival features all 64 exceptional films, the 11 speakers will present exclusively at the in-person event, providing audiences with rare insights into their experiences. This year's speaker lineup is packed with bold voices and unforgettable stories. Headlining is legendary climber Beth Rodden (USA), whose pioneering ascents on El Capitan and remarkable survival of a hostage ordeal in Kyrgyzstan have cemented her place in climbing history. Her recent memoir, A Light Through the Cracks, has captivated audiences worldwide, and festivalgoers in Wānaka and Queenstown will have the opportunity to hear her speak in person. Joining her are Kiwi adventurers Sam Smoothy and Nick Pascoe. Smoothy—freeride skiing legend turned ski mountaineer and filmmaker—will present his ambitious project XXIV, documenting his attempt to climb and ski all 24 of New Zealand's 3000m peaks. Expect raw honesty, tough terrain, and plenty of backcountry grit. Pascoe will share stories from his 2023 mission traversing from Mt Aspiring to the Tasman Sea—bush bashing through dense terrain with skis, boots, and a packraft in tow, before navigating glaciers and wild alpine rivers. Rodden will also speak at a special free session for local high school students—part of the NZMFF Charitable Trust's long-standing effort to inspire the next generation of adventurers. This year, 180 students from Mt Aspiring College and 105 from Cromwell College, along with 20 local home schoolers will attend, with travel supported by the Trust. Families are also welcome at free one-hour film screenings in Wānaka and Lake Hāwea—an ideal introduction to the world of adventure storytelling. The festival champions both adventure and environmental responsibility, encouraging attendees to support sustainability efforts. Audiences are urged to reduce waste, carpool, bike, or walk to venues, and bring a reusable cup for complimentary tea and coffee. Additionally, visitors can contribute to the 'buy a tree' initiative at the festival café, supporting local reforestation efforts through Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust. Digital tickets are encouraged to minimise paper waste. The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival promises an inspiring and unforgettable experience, celebrating exploration, storytelling, and the spirit of adventure. Further information:
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Young entrepreneurs pitch their products
Tote bags, T-shirts and skincare creams were among the products pitched by aspiring entrepreneurs from across Central Otago at a Dragons' Den -inspired event at Cromwell College on Friday. Student teams from Cromwell, Alexandra, Queenstown and Wānaka taking part in the Young Enterprise Scheme (Yes) fronted up to judging panels of local business specialists with three minutes to showcase their goods. Regan Powell, who looks after Yes in the South Island, said participating pupils used the school year to set up and run a real business. The aim of Friday's quick-fire business pitching sessions was for students to be given feedback they could use to further grow and execute their ideas, Mr Powell said. First up was Scrub and Glow chief executive Anika Croy, of Cromwell College, who kicked off her business pitch with: ''In a market saturated with synthetic skincare, we stand out''. The team had done early market research that suggested a gap in the market for natural skin creams at a price point younger people could afford. Scrub and Glow are collaborating with Central Lakes Family Services, committing to donating 5% of company profits to the social service provider. It was important for them to ''give back'', they said. They were not the only business showing a social conscience. Conscious Carry sells canvas tote bags, complete with practical pockets and printed with a choice of two original designs drawn by creative team member Lizzie Engstrom. Each design supports one of two charities — the Cancer Society or Our Seas Our Future — with the students opting to donate $3 per bag sale to the organisations. Conscious Carry chief executive Lani Jones said each of the people behind the business had a personal story to tell of a loved one impacted by cancer, so it felt good for their business to be able to give back. Lani said standing in front of the judges had been ''nerve-racking'', but knowing their product had given them confidence. The team had worked out they needed to sell 100 bags to make $900 profit, with their break-even point reached at 18 bags sold. They had also already made it over their first gnarly business hurdle — problem solving a printing defect in their prototype stage that ultimately saw them ditch ink printing in favour of vinyl transfers. All the young business owners had been partnered with mentors from within the local business community to offer support on developing, financing, marketing and distributing their products and services. Mr Powell said the success of the scheme came down to three things: strong support from the business community, teachers willing to back it in schools and keen young people. The business school at the University of Otago had also stepped up, covering entry fees for all Otago school pupils taking part in the programme, he said.
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Young musicians perform with idols
Logan Hunt plays the drums with Barnaby Weir, the frontman for Kiwi band Fly My Pretties at the YAMI summit in Wānaka. PHOTOS: YAMI/DEANNA GERLACH A Cromwell teen is buzzing after a last-minute opportunity to play the drums on stage with a famous New Zealand frontman. Logan Hunt performed with Barnaby Weir, of Fly My Pretties and The Black Seeds, on a school trip in April. The year 11 pupil was one of nine young performers to represent Cromwell College at YAMI (youth and adults in the music industry), held this year in Wānaka. Logan said he learned the songs on the day, after being asked to fill the spot on stage in someone else's absence. Cromwell college year 10 pupil Mischa Thomlinson, belts out an original at this year's YAMI summit. "It was an awesome opportunity to get to play with such a big musician," Logan said. He described Weir as "kind and really good to work with". The YAMI summit brings together aspiring musicians and industry heavyweights for a series of workshops on songwriting, performing, DJing, handling royalties, distribution and marketing. For bass guitarist Indiana Cameron and singer-songwriters Mischa Thomlinson and Tynielle Engelbrecht — all pupils at Cromwell College — working on their own songs with Gin Wigmore and Evie Bamford was a pinch-me experience. "Gin was really good at knowing what you wanted the song to sound like and getting you to that point," Indiana said. "But it [YAMI] was not just about how to write and perform but how to record it [your music] too, so you could put it out to the world." With the help of Weir, Mischa was able to record, over the course of the weekend, an original song called Running back to me, which she planned to release on Spotify tomorrow. She said the experience offered a behind the scenes look at "how everything comes together"in a recording studio. Catherine Forsyth, who heads the college's music department, said the summit gave her students access to "experts in their fields" and that was something special. "They get to see those who are going before them making great music, and they're seeing that music is a real option [career-wise]." Each day of the summit culminated in gig-like performances by both the teens and their music idols.
