2023 Aimes Awards

2023 NORTH HARBOUR CLUB

AWARDS AIMES

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE THE CLUB

2022/2023 has been a busy year for the North Harbour Club, having navigated the lingering impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and its disruption on our large scale events, whilst ensuring that the Club is well positioned for the future. That said, we are thrilled to be in a position to celebrate 27 years of community contribution and the AIMES Awards.

Once again we were blown away with the level of applications for the AIMES Awards, especially with the range of achievements and the success that these young people have had over the past 12 months. The ability of these young people is nothing short of inspiring, and we are extremely lucky to have such a wealth of talent in our North Harbour region. For the Club, its members, and its sponsors, it is an honour and a privilege to acknowledge the achievements of these talented individuals so early in their careers, and we will watch with interest from the side lines as they continue to develop and grow.

The judges have once again done an outstanding job this year selecting our recipients. It is a lengthy process and requires a significant amount of time reviewing applications, conducting interviews and meeting to make what can only be an extremely challenging task, picking the winners. On behalf of the Club, I would like to express our appreciation to those who give their time so freely and professionally - from the school contact, the shortlisting, interviews, through to the award functions themselves.

I would especially like to thank the chair of our judging panel, Andrew MacDonald, a 2010 and 2012 AIMES Education Award Winner, along with fellow judges Aidan Bennett, Courtney Davies, Dean Flyger, Shane Cortese, Sue Kohn-Taylor, and Tom Ashley. It’s fantastic to see a number of our Alumni play such a pivotal role in the judging process.

Our Club would not exist without the ongoing support and engagement from our Members and Sponsors, both over the last 27 years and into the future. Our membership base includes Individual Members, NeXt Members, Corporate Members, and the recently introduced Valued Long Service Members. Our membership continues to grow, reinforcing the impact and reach of the Club in our community. Our key supporters are our family of sponsors covering many aspects of club activity. These include our AIMES Letter sponsors, and sponsors covering the Ross Finlayson Award, AIMES Emerging Talent Awards and Scholarships. We also have valued sponsors for our AIMES Winners Network, Charity Lunches, the Business Hall of Fame, our BEN Breakfasts, and the NeXt Leaders initiative. Our Event support sponsors are also extremely important. Thank you all so very much for your ongoing generosity.

Of course, this Club would not run effectively without the passionate support and effort from our Operations Team who tirelessly keep things ticking over behind the scenes. I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees for their support throughout the year, along with our dedicated sub-committee members, who all give up their time freely to ensure that the Club continues to go from strength to strength.

For myself this past year has been a whirlwind experience moving from the role of Vice President to President. I have been very honoured and humbled to lead this incredible Club with its focus on excellence and supporting the future leaders of our region and indeed our country.

As you digest this amazing compilation of talent and enjoy reading about all their achievements, consider the many hours that have gone in to creating and producing this fantastic momento that you can take away with you tonight. As such I would also like to express our sincere thanks to Aidan Bennett and the team at Benefitz for their continual support, effort and professionalism.

Finally, thank you for your ongoing support and attendance at events and fundraising efforts that are the backbone to making this Club great. Great leaders often don't set out to be leaders, they set out to make a difference, so I ask you to make a difference and wear your North Harbour Club membership with pride.

Mike Atkinson, President North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust.

The North Harbour Club was established on the 18th May, 1995.

Originally, a group of North Shore business people met and established a constitution with the objectives below:

1. To promote the North Harbour region.

2. For business establishments of the region to meet and network for the good of the region.

3. To form a Charitable Trust to raise funds and present scholarships to the youth of the North Harbour region through the annual AIMES Awards.

To be eligible for an AIMES Award, recipients must display excellence in the areas of the Arts; Innovation; Music; Education; Sport and Service to the Community. Now in its 28th year, the North Harbour Club continues to be an association of North Harbour/North Shore leaders in local affairs, business, education, sport and social development.

Members of the club, who are all residents or have their businesses on the North Shore and North Harbour region, have, among other stated aims, the desire to promote excellence by encouraging and providing financial assistance to the young people of the North Harbour region who have significant ability in their chosen field and display personal characteristics which make them worthy of our support.

The annual AIMES Awards are the highest profile initiative of the North Harbour Club, but the objectives are five-fold:

1. To establish and maintain a club of non-political character for Members to meet through regular lunches and social activities.

2. To establish a Charitable Trust, known as The North Harbour Club Charitable Trust, to promote and develop local talent in the fields covered by the AIMES Awards.

3. To support cultural, sporting and recreational activities in the region.

4. To foster a spirit of pride in the region.

5. To foster a ‘good neighbour’ and ‘good citizen’ ethos in the region.

In October 2015, the North Harbour Club also assumed responsibility for the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame (previously Enterprise North Shore Business Hall of Fame). The 14 laureates already inducted were acknowledged and are now laureates under the new Hall of Fame.

Established originally in 2004, it celebrates exemplary efforts in North Harbour business and the community and is part of the club’s ongoing programme of rewarding success.

Visit: www.northharbourclub.co.nz

This AIMES Awards programme produced for the North Harbour Club by Benefitz is something we’ve been doing for most of the 27 years. Words by Aidan Bennett. Design by Crystal Sharp. Printed on sustainable FCS paper by Benefitz B2 Indigo Digital Press. Visit: www.benefitz.co.nz.

NORTH HARBOUR CLUB MEMBERS 2023

PATRON

Liz Blackwell

LIFE MEMBERS

Aidan Bennett

John Bishop

Joan Finlayson

Bob Jago

Gary Monk

Peter & Michelle Wall

Professor Ian Watson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mike Atkinson (President)

Phil Brosnan (Immediate Past President)

Sue Kohn-Taylor (Vice President)

Nicolette Bodewes

Lloyd Kirby

Murray Lockwood

Haydn Mackenzie

Andy Ruzich

Becky West

AMBASSADORS

Cameron Calkoen

Shane Cortese

Ian Jones

Peter Montgomery

VALUED LONG SERVICE MEMBERS

Don Galbraith

Colin Gibbons

Chris Kennings

Forres McPheat

Rod Slater

John Spooner

Hugh Stedman

MEMBERS

Maurie Abraham

Rowan Alexander

Chris Allen

Claire Amos

Hartley Atkinson

Marree Atkinson

Tolla Baroutsos

Jamie Barr

Vicki Barrie

Richard Bartley

Paul Bayer

Matthew Bellingham

Melinda Bennett

John Berry

Trish Blackmore

Paul Blackwell

Michelle Boag

Sharon Boyd

Rochelle Brinsdon

Scott Browne

Graeme Budler

Carl Cachopa

Sky Cai

Ian Calderwood

Glenn Carpenter

Kate Chivers

John Cobb

Robert Colhoun

Graham Collie

Clyde Colson

Lisa Connor

Nixon Cooper

Mike Cruickshank

Jan Dawson

Tristan Dean

Glen Denham

Stephen Dil

Blake Douglas

Wade Downey

David Downs

James Doyle

Kym Dunning

Michelle Fan

Anthony Gold

Eric Faesen Kloet

Ricky Faesen Kloet

Nick Farrelly

David Ferguson

Travis Field

Mark Fisher

Georgia Frankham

Fay Freeman

Greg Frittelli

Patrick Gale

Tony Giles

Bruno Goedeke

Vanessa Graham

David Green

Libby Greenwood

Paul Gunn

Rob Gunston

Jane Guy

Guy Haddleton

Peter Hall

Kirk Hardy

Terence Harpur

John Hastings

Jayson Hayde

CJ Healy

Nick Hern

Brian Hight

Andrew Hill

Tony Hird

Jolie Hodson

Barton Hoggard

Gary Howarth

Haibo Hu

Mark Humphrey

Lyle Irwin

Dima Ivanov

Ian Jackson

Mark Jago

Shameer Jasani

Wendy Jefferson

Annette Kann

Nick Kearney

Andrew Kelleher

Michael Khuwattanasenee

Winston Kidd

Lloyd Kirby

Alex Kuch

Danielle L’Estrange

Dave Lane

Simon Leach

Bob Leveloff

Jason Lewthwaite

Geoff Light

Andy Liu

Peter Luo

Kate Luxton

Andrew MacDonald

Andrew Mackenzie

Ron MacRae

Sir Peter Maire

Mark Manihera

Courtney Manning

Janet Marshall

Susi Matz

Hamish Maude

Jeff McGregor

Craig McGuigan

Duncan McKenzie

Paul McKinley

Kevin McLean

Tammy McLeod

Blair McPheat

Jan McPheat

Kevin McPheat

Tracey Mehrtens

Owen Melhuish

Lesley Monk

Geoff Nash

Tony Nicholson

Mary Nixon

Katie Noble

Ken Noble

Simon O’Connor

Ann Old

Jugdis Parbhu

Sean Parsons

Jeremy Parsons

Greg Pierce

Steven Pearson

Glenn Read

Aaron Redwood

Alex Reed

Chris Reeve

Jackie Reeve

Greg Remmington

Kathryn Robertson

Anna Robinson

Mike Robinson

Andy Ruzich

Dr Guru Shankar

Jared Simm

Frank Simons

Mike Single

Greg Smale

Hayden Smith

Bill Speedy

Bruce Spooner

Sue Stanaway

Mike Stanley

Jane Stanley

Elena Still

Cindy Sullivan

Irene Symes

Sean Tagg

James Thomas

Jo-Anne Thomas

Bruce Tong

Sarah Tong

Scott Travis

Craig Waller

Brendan Waters

Allan Watts

Simon Watts

Lara Weaver

Mark Whitford

Amber Whittaker

Andrew Williams

Geoff Wilson

Mark Wilson

Ben Wiltshire

Alister Wishart

David Zhang

PRESENTED TO ...

ASA WALLER (19)

19 year old Ballet Dancer and former Westlake Girls student Asa Waller is currently attending the Dutch National Ballet Academy through the Amsterdam University of the Arts.

Asa is a high achieving all-rounder. She’s extremely active, having played various sports and musical instruments – including basketball, netball, swimming, tennis, classical and acoustic guitar, piano, classical voice and saxophone to name a few. Music also included involvement in the Big Sing Finale and performing solos with Westlake’s celebrated Choralation Choir. She was also heavily invested in academics, in accelerated classes for all of her subjects at intermediate and high school.

Ballet started at age 4. Growing up Asa had access to beautiful CDs with music from Petipa and Tchaikovsky. She says… “From a very young age I may not have enjoyed ballet class, but I recognised that this sensation when I danced, was unlike anything else. I loved it”.

Year 12 in 2020 was Asa’s missed year – when Covid hit. It turned out to be wonderful for her. “Most dancers hated it, but lockdown changed my life. I did full-time dancing. I caught up on my schoolwork in the weekends and evenings, and I spent all day every day, training and taking classes”.

At the end of the year she achieved excellence endorsed, attaining a place to study at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington. Asa won the biannual Royal Academy of Dance competition – you can only enter if you have received a distinction score in your Royal Academy of Dance Advanced Examination.

She then left school and trained full time – ‘putting her all’ into ballet.

Asa now sees her late start to serious ballet dancing as both a weakness and her greatest strength. She believes her life experiences –including living in Egypt for a year with her family – helped to enrich her dancing. She believes her musical background helps her to feel the music.

During 2021, Asa returned to Auckland and continued her training with mentor and coach, Nicci Theis McEwan. In mid-2022 she made a two month trip to Europe, gaining a full time offer in Amsterdam.

Despite being only 19, Asa’s achievements in ballet are numerous –achieving excellence in competition, receiving scholarships and being accepted to attend famous ballet institutions all over the world.

Asa’s goal is a professional career in classical ballet and teaching ballet in the future. She says funds received from this AIMES Award will make a big difference to her realising these goals.

Asa Waller receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Arts Award for 2023, sponsored by ASB, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Alexia Hilbertidou (24)

24 year old former Albany Senior High student Alexia Hilbertidou receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Innovation Award for 2023.

Alexia has previously received an AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2016 and an AIMES Service to the Community Award in 2017.

Described by the NZ Herald as the 'Headmistress of Gen Z', Alexia is the founder of GirlBoss NZ - NZ's largest organisation for young women. In 8 years, GirlBoss has grown to 13,500 members and programmes have been implemented in more than 100 schools across NZ, Australia and the Cook Islands.

Alexia’s own mission is to get women to the table – the boardroom table that is, and she believes the decisions made while young are crucial in paving the way.

She has spoken at some of the world's largest conferences, such as The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and One Young World, sharing stages with speakers such as Richard Branson, Meghan Markle, and JK Rowling.

Other achievements include becoming NZ's Gender Equality Ambassador at the World Expo, a National Geographic Explorer, and a Facebook Leadership Fellow. Alexia studied Leadership for Change at the University of Cambridge and holds a Masters in Emerging Technologies.

Alexia has received over 30 Awards for her work, including

being named the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award Winner, Semi-Finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year, the Most Influential NZ Woman under 25 at the Westpac Women of Influence Awards, Commonwealth Covid-19 Hero, Pacific Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2022, Forbes 30 under 30, and Finalist for World Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Alexia was also awarded a Queen's Young Leader Award for Services to the Commonwealth by Her Majesty, The Queen, at Buckingham Palace. She was selected from over 20,000 nominations and is the youngest Commonwealth Citizen to hold this honour.

Alexia plans to use grant funds from this AIMES Innovation Award to assist an additional 120 youth to complete her GirlBoss Edge 10 day programme. A digital programme created during the Covid-19 pandemic where over 1600 students received mentoring from 800 corporate mentors, working together to develop their career competencies and complete a CV-worthy challenge.

The Orewa resident is certainly an exceptional young North Harbour entrepreneur.

Alexia Hilbertidou receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Innovation Award for 2023, sponsored by Massey University, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Tayla Alexander (22)

22 Year old Opera and Classical crossover singer, Tayla Alexander, is the recipient of the AIMES Music Award for 2023.

Tayla, who attended Long Bay College, first won an AIMES Junior Excellence Award in 2014, followed by an AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2019, and the AIMES Ross Finlayson Award last year.

Since the age of 12, Tayla has been performing commercially, with her music played across media in Europe, the USA and NZ. She is working with the NZ Opera company in 2023 as a studio artist and soloist, performing in such events as Opera in the Park, opera scenes, stage roles and in The Unruly Tourist season playing various roles.

The 2022 Lexus Song Quest semifinalist has also performed as a special solo guest with SOL3MIO, performed with the APO and AYO, and attended Whanganui New Zealand Opera School. Tayla was awarded first place in both the Ronald Dellow and Norah Howell senior vocal competitions, received a Blues award for Leadership and community service and performing arts, an Evelyn M Harrison scholarship, and the Kate Edgar Vinka Marinovich Award.

Tayla has been mentored by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Most recently Tayla gained a full scholarship for intensive training at the Lisa Gasteen programme in Australia, where she played the role of ‘Helene’ in Die Verschworenen.

In 2023 Tayla has completed her bachelor’s degree with honours as a first class student at the University of Auckland.

Tayla’s the youngest person in NZ to create and run a foundation designed to financially and professionally support talented Kiwis. The ‘Tayla Made Foundation’ has donated $40,000 in grants within two years.

In her AIMES application Tayla explained how her AIMES Awards grant would assist further career growth. She says the Loitz Foundation and a global record company want to work with her to create an international album, recording in Europe later this year. The plan is for the album to be recorded in and include songs from each main European language – German, Italian, Spanish, French, and English. The Loitz Foundation has agreed to cover her costs while in Europe. This North Harbour Club AIMES Award grant will play a crucial part in her fulfilling this opportunity.

Tayla Alexander receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Music Award for 2023, sponsored by Yamaha Home Entertainment, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Lily Holloway

24 year old former Rangitoto College pupil, writer/poet Lily Holloway, is the AIMES Education Award recipient for 2023.

Lily is a writer, editor, and academic, studying an MFA in Creative Writing at Syracuse University, New York. She received an A+ for her honours thesis, a GPA of 8.0, and graduated with first-class honours in English Literature and Ancient History.

Lily is passionate about arts accessibility and restorative justice for survivors of sexual assault. She says she believes in the power of writing to change lives and heal wounds. She cares about giving back to the communities that have supported her through tough times. It was an assault she experienced that led Lily to start writing in the first place.

At the end of 2021 ‘AUP New Poets 8’ book was published by Auckland University Press. Lily was one of three featured poets and the book contained 23 of her poems.

One critic commented… “Holloway’s selection, ‘a child in that alcove,’ really showcases her versatility and ambition as a writer, with really thorny, evocative lines and images that stay with you.”

Lily also co-founded ‘eel mag’ a literary magazine for queer poets of Aotearoa. She currently serves as a poetry reader for Salt Hill, the Syracuse University literary journal.

Lily received a NZ Society of Authors Mentorship and completed a virtual residency with the Varuna National Writers’ House in Australia. She’s also served on the boards of the NZ Poetry Society, NZ Society of Authors, and the Same Same But Different Queer Literary Festival. For her writing about survivor advocacy, Lily was named one of the YWCA’s ‘25 under 25’ for 2022.

Lily also received a fellowship to study an MFA in Creative Writing at Syracuse University, a programme with an admittance rate of approximately 1.5%. Lily explained this exciting development as an opportunity for her to hone her craft, develop her first solo collection of poetry, and represent Aotearoa in the world of creative writing.

Lily, who was head girl and dux at Rangitoto College in 2016, has set a very high standard right through her writing and education journey that has resulted in many accolades, opportunities and awards. Too many to list in this brief summary of her achievements. AIMES Awards funds will be used by Lily to continue her studies at Syracuse University. She says once she’s finished studying, she would like to teach English or Creative Writing at a tertiary level.

Lily Holloway receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Education Award for 2023, sponsored by Kristin School, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Cameron Gray (19)

19 year old 2022 Commonwealth Games

Swimming Bronze Medallist and former Westlake Boys pupil Cameron Gray is the recipient of an AIMES Sport Award in 2023.

Cameron medalled in Butterfly at the Birmingham Games, but is a real swimming all-rounder – he also competes in Backstroke, Freestyle and the Medley. Cameron currently holds NZ records in Open 50m Butterfly (Long Course); Open 50m Freestyle (Short Course); 18 Year old 50m Butterfly (Long Course); 18 Year old 100m Freestyle (Long Course); 17 Year old 50m Backstroke (Short Course); 15 Year old 50m Backstroke (Short Course); 15 Year old 50m Butterfly (Long Course); 15 Year old 100m Backstroke (Long Course).

Cameron was a 2022 Halberg Awards

Emerging Athlete Finalist and was also named Harbour Junior Sportsman of the Year for 2022.

Cameron joined the North Shore Swimming Club at age 8 and trains under 2008 Olympian Andy McMillan, who he says has had a huge influence on his achievements to date and is also helping him to pave his future.

His focus is now firmly on three goals – reaching the 2024 Paris Olympic Games final; and winning golds at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2028 Olympic Games.

He says he is training between 21-24 hours per week depending

on the kind of training cycle at that certain time which consists of 9 swim sessions and 3 gym sessions. He does all of his training at AUT Millennium which he describes as “an excellent facility with everything I could need to push myself to the limit.”

Since leaving school in 2021, Cameron says he’s made major changes to the way he lives – cutting out distractions, changing diet and habits, and striving to be the best version of himself without too many sophisticated ambitions. He says this mentality towards swimming is his X-factor and without a doubt will play a powerful part in reaching his goals.

“If the 2022 Commonwealth Games has taught me anything, it’s that special things can happen in finals”.

Cameron says that the AIMES Award grant funds will be used to assist with him reaching his goals in swimming. His coach has planned a month long trip this year which will involve high intensity training at extreme altitudes to increase his red blood cell count. AIMES Award grant funds will go towards this trip.

Cameron Gray receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Sport Award for 2023, sponsored by AUT Millennium, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ... Zoe Hobbs (25)

25 year old world class sprinter Zoe Hobbs has been part of the North Harbour community since 2016. Living here for six years and training at AUT Millennium for over seven years.

Zoe was born and raised in the Taranaki town of Stratford and says she has quickly gained a love for the North Shore and has felt right at home from the getgo. She’s found it to be a place where she could see herself settling long-term.

Zoe recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University, Albany. She has also completed Part 1 of the International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sports Nutrition course – with an aim to specialise in that field. She is also co-founding an athlete nutrition ‘app’ to bridge the gap between nutritionists, dietitians and the everyday athlete. To provide a tool that is intuitive, affordable and accessible to all aspiring athletes.

Zoe admits to being extremely shy as a kid, with sport being the one outlet where she could express her most confident self. Despite others telling her that being a successful NZ 100 metre sprinter on the world stage was impossible, she’s now one of the best in the world. Through perseverance she’s defied the odds and shown it is possible to overcome barriers through resilience, determination, and a very strong work ethic. Zoe has been competing internationally since 2013.

2023 has been a stellar year so far for Zoe Hobbs. In early March she lowered the Oceania and NZ all-comers 100m records in the heats of the NZ Champs in Wellington. A week later, in Sydney, she broke the 11-second barrier with 10.97 to again lower the Oceania record, also setting a new Australian all-comers record.

This followed on from the successes of 2022 – breaking the NZ 100m record twice, eclipsing the Oceania indoor 60 metres record, winning both the Australian and Oceania Champs, then finishing second in the first heat of the World Athletics Champs held in Oregon. Zoe also reached the 100 metres final at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

AIMES Awards grant funds will assist Zoe with overseas travel expenses, with an aim to also have her coach present during some of the upcoming campaigns.

Zoe says that since the 1970s, there hasn't been a female sprinter from NZ who has competed in the Olympic Games. “Everything I do between now and next year will be focused on qualifying for the Games and giving myself the best possible base, exposure to competition, and path to success at the Paris Olympics in 2024.”

Zoe Hobbs receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Sport Award for 2023, sponsored by AUT Millennium, and a cash grant of $15,000.

SPONSORED

PRESENTED TO ...

Spencer Potbury (23)

23 year old environmental scientist and conservationist Spencer Potbury is the recipient of the AIMES Service to the Community Award for 2023.

Spencer is a graduate with First Class Honours in Applied Conservation from AUT University. He is also a NIWA Freshwater BLAKE Ambassador, a Forest and Bird Youth Co-coordinator, a BLAKE Inspire freshwater expert and a School Streamcare educator.

Spencer says every part of his life is dedicated to the outdoors and sharing the beauty of our planet with those in his life, the public, and generally anyone who will listen.

He works as an Environmental Scientist that includes roles as an aquatic invertebrate taxonomist and an environmental consultant. A favourite part has been working alongside the Kaipatiki Project to deliver their ‘School Streamcare’ programs with eight Primary and Intermediate schools across the Kaipatiki region. This involved the monitoring of fish, invertebrates and water quality variables.

Spencer has been a leader for Forest and Bird Youth Auckland, leading numerous social media and in-person events to offer environmental/conservation learning. This has predominantly taken place in Hosking Reserve, near Albany, and has included community trapping days servicing pest trap and bait stations, as well as educating and upskilling youth in environmental work.

Spencer is also a guide with Experiencing Marine Reserves. He

volunteers to give free guided snorkel and kayak tours through marine environments. Spencer says watching kids see their first eagle ray and learn about dynamics between our commercial fish species, kina, and the health of our reefs is always inspiring and endearing.

As a BLAKE NIWA Freshwater Ambassador, Spencer shares his experiences working with the NIWA aquatic pollution team and their research and implementation of algaebased treatment systems.

Spencer says he has a passion for the environment and sharing this with others. “Our planet is the greatest treasure that we have, and it’s our job to protect it. Increases in environmental awareness have led to climate anxiety and well-founded concerns for the future of our society and planet. Having strong, passionate role models and influencers is essential for bringing hope for the future and ensuring that something can be done”.

Spencer’s goal is to undertake a PhD. AIMES Award grant funds will be used for further study and to support his volunteer work.

Spencer Potbury receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Service to the Community Award for 2023, sponsored by Albany Toyota, and a cash grant of $15,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Joshua Kirk (25)

Former Takapuna Grammar student

Joshua Kirk is on a pathway to becoming a professional conductor. He was a recipient of an AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2021/22.

Joshua was a high achiever at Takapuna Grammar. A prefect, he was awarded a Gold Merit badge for sustained excellence in cocurricular activities, the Orchestra Trophy for Orchestral Leadership, and the Barbershop Trophy for outstanding service to a chorus. He was also involved in the wider community through sport and as a member of the North Shore Youth Brass Band.

Joshua’s musical journey started with attending music classes at age 4. At age 6 he began playing the piano, at 9 the violin, the euphonium at 14, he then took singing and musical theatre lessons at school.

Joshua majored in Classical Performance at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) majoring in viola performance in 2019. In 2020/2021 he completed an Honours degree in conducting at the University of Adelaide.

Joshua says that during his music studies it became clear that he was most passionate about conducting. “I had always been obsessed with the concept of the orchestra; the idea that 70 or more people all perform incredibly complex individual roles to achieve a single, unified effect is astounding… that drew me to pursue conducting professionally.”

In 2018, Joshua approached Maestro Giordano Bellincampi, the Musical Director of the Auckland Philharmonia, to ask if he would

allow him to attend rehearsals to observe and learn from him. Joshua says that since then, he has been very generous with the time he has given to him, enabling the learning of conducting technique, rehearsal strategies, and general musical concepts that arose from the specific works the orchestra was rehearsing.

Joshua also had the opportunity to conduct the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra three times, and in 2020 was selected for Conducting as a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Programme, where he had the opportunity to conduct the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in rehearsal under the guidance of Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich.

Joshua says his biggest achievement has been participating in the 2022 Järvi Conducting Academy in Estonia, made possible by the 2021/22 AIMES Emerging Talent Award grant.

All the conducting teachers that he has worked with in Adelaide, New Zealand and Estonia have suggested he look to study towards a Masters degree in Europe. Recommending Zurich University of the Arts, Amsterdam University of the Arts, University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar.

AIMES Award grant funds will contribute significantly to covering expenses involved with Joshua’s future conducting training opportunities.

Joshua Kirk receives the AIMES Judges Special Award for 2023 and a cash grant of $10,000.

PRESENTED TO ...

Jannik Wittgen (21)

Leadership and community service is an integral part of former Orewa College head prefect and dux Jannik Wittgen’s life. An AIMES Emerging Talent Award recipient in 2021/22; he now receives the AIMES Ross Finlayson Award for 2023.

A great deal of this leadership is in Jannik’s voluntary work, a big part of his life for the past nine years. He says he takes satisfaction from his work in the youth development and tertiary education spaces.

The University of Auckland Bachelor of Engineering honours student has recently also been awarded a Kupe Leadership Scholarship. Just 15 students are selected, those who have “demonstrated potential to lead, but also an ability to collaborate, demonstrate a commitment to service and will have a higher sense of purpose”.

Jannik has achieved very high levels of academic success at University – 9.0 GPA (A+ average) over all 24 courses completed so far. The University also identified his leadership potential with selection for the prestigious Dean's Leadership Programme.

He continues to apply and develop his leadership capabilities working as quality and growth manager for Brain Play as well as theatre manager for Whangaparaoa College. Brain Play teaches coding, robotics, 3D printing, electronics, and STEM education in after-school and holiday programmes and events.

Jannik has previously completed internships at Beca and Rocket Lab and was the recipient of the Beca Part II Engineering Award.

Jannik Wittgen's leadership was recognised at Orewa College. He was sound technician for their shows; head prefect in 2019; student council member 2017-19; and board of trustees representative. Achievements while at college included:- NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award; NZQA Top Scholar Award (German, top student in NZ); Outstanding Scholarship in Statistics and German; Scholarship in Chemistry and Physics; Dux of the College; Top student award in Physics, Chemistry and Spanish.

Organisations he’s involved with include:- Spirit of Adventure Trust; NZ Cadet Forces; Mechanical & Mechatronics Students’ Association; Duke of Edinburgh Award (as a Co-ordinator).

Jannik says that long term he aims to create positive change through his leadership, through management roles in the private or public sector, or holding political roles which will allow him to influence the shape and path of the country. He says he studied engineering as he loves working on challenging problems, and that it would be an honour to lead organisations or even the country to overcome some of the massive challenges we face today and will face in the future.

Jannik Wittgen receives the North Harbour Club AIMES Ross Finlayson Award, and support to ensure he achieves his desire to complete an Outward Bound course. Jannik plans to do this in late 2023 or early 2024.

Anja Filip

(18) ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER

Anja Filip is an Environmental Educator/ Outdoor Leader with a strong connection to the natural environment. The former Westlake Girls student says that from a young age she spent her days climbing trees, tramping, or exploring rivers and mangroves. She’s an avid adventurer, loves tramping, mountain biking, bouldering, kayaking, and bush bashing/ navigating to carry out pest control.

At Westlake Girls, Anja founded Westlake Kaitiaki, an environmental education group. Teaching other students practical conservation skills, such as pest trapping, tree planting and water testing, in an effort to share the outdoors and nature with other youth, to inspire them to be leaders.

Anja is a leader in Forest and Bird Youth Auckland and on national committees. She also volunteers at MERC – the Sir Peter Blake Marine Centre at Long Bay, and is a volunteer instructor with Experiencing Marine Reserves Auckland.

In future, she plans a variety of careers, including being a DOC Ranger; an Outdoor Instructor and Environmental Educator for schools and communities.

Anja took a big step towards these goals, moving to Christchurch in February to begin a Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability and Outdoor Education at Ara, the Institute of Canterbury.

In 2022, Anja was selected as ‘Auckland Region' delegate on the prestigious BLAKE Inspire programme, where she was able to develop as a young Environmental Ambassador. She received a full scholarship, learnt about land biodiversity, freshwater, adventure tourism, governmental policy and worked alongside leading scientists.

In 2021, she gained a scholarship from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme, which provides leadership and mentorship opportunities for passionate, talented, young New Zealanders. Anja, one of 12 selected from 350 applicants for Stage 1, was then granted a second scholarship into Stage 2.

Anja is a high achiever academically, too many achievements to list! Some other awards include: North Shore MP’s 'Excellence in Community Contribution Award for 2022’; School award for ‘Outstanding leadership as Environmental Prefect’; School award for ‘Outstanding leadership for Westlake Kaitiaki'.

After completing her degree at Ara, Anja plans to tramp Te Araroa. Te Araroa is a trail the length of NZ, from Cape Reinga to Bluff (3000km). Along the trail she aims to stop at schools and communities to educate and collaborate with them on how to start conservation projects (providing the example of Westlake Kaitiaki). She then would like to make her Te Araroa/Westlake Kaitiaki initiative a national organisation, effectively similar to Westlake Kaitaki, but on a larger scale.

Anja Filip receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Henry Meng

(18) PIANIST

“What do you get when you cross a dogged, incessantly hardworking pianist with a transcendently patient, marvellously assiduous composer of music with a hopeless romantic who daydreams too much? You get me”.

That was the intro for Henry Meng’s application for an AIMES Award in 2023. The former Westlake Boys student was an AIMES Junior Excellence Award winner in 2016 as a 12 year old. As a youngster his talent was outstanding, thrilling North Harbour Club members with his performances at club events.

Henry was born at North Shore Hospital. The Shore is home.

As a pianist Henry’s achievements have been immense. Since winning the AIMES Junior Excellence Award there have been twelve first prizes, eleven second prizes, and three third prizes. These have included – Competition performance of a concerto with the Westlake Chamber Orchestra (2016); Finalist, NZ Youth Piano Competition (2016); Semi-finalist, 2018 Wallace National Junior Piano Competition; Finalist, 2019 Wallace National Piano Competition; Finalist, 2020 New Zealand National Junior Piano Competition; Semi-finalist, 2022 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition; Winner, California Heroes of Music Cup (2022); Winner, Yangtze River Cup (2022); Grand Prize, Youth category, Australasian region, PRIME Society Pacific Rim International Piano Competition (2022); Second, Youth category, PRIME Society Pacific Rim International Piano Competition; Australasian representative for a performance at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY (2022); Finalist, 2022–2023 National Concerto Competition.

He has also enjoyed success as a composer.

Henry received a Haydn Staples Piano Scholarship in 2022 and was admitted a year early to study at the University of Auckland in the same year.

Also in 2022 he was involved in recording and performing in concert of an orchestral work by the NZ Symphony Orchestra.

For Henry, AIMES Awards funds will contribute towards his university studies and his ongoing music career.

Henry Meng receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Luke Sipkes (19)

DIVER

Maggie Squire (17)

DIVER

Former

Rangitoto College student Luke

Sipkes is an international Diver who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Business at Massey University, Albany.

Luke competed for New Zealand at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and at the Diving World Championships in 2022. It was a big year, he is NZ's top ranked Open Men's Platform Diver and is also the number one Open Men’s Synchronised Diver. At Birmingham he made both finals, being placed 12th in the Open Men’s 10m Platform and 6th in the Open Men’s 10m Platform Synchronised.

Luke has been Diving since age 12 (2016), being introduced as a result of a “give it a go” diving programme that Auckland Diving ran at Albany Junior High School.

On top of his 20-plus hours per week training he is studying full-time at Massey University. Luke has excelled in his University studies as well as his diving. He also works around 16 hours per week to support his life goals.

“During 2023 I have many possible events that I may be participating in but the main ones are the Olympic qualifiers,” says Luke. “I have qualified to compete in the 2023 World Cup, which will have three unconfirmed legs in three different nations. Only three other New Zealand Divers also qualified for these events with them all being over the age of 22.”

Since 2018 Luke has competed internationally in Ukraine (2018), Australia, Canada and Italy. He says this is essential to achieving his childhood dream of competing in the Olympic Games. He will have Olympic qualifying events in Japan (July), Singapore (September) and Australia (December) during 2023.

AIMES Award grant funds will be spent on travel, training fees, coaching and physio. Luke says with Diving being a minority sport in NZ they don't receive much funding. He says this award will massively boost him reaching his future aspirations and being able to maintain and reach even more success in the upcoming years.

Luke Sipkes receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Former Takapuna Grammar student Maggie Squire was first recognised with an AIMES Junior Excellence Award in 2017, aged 13. Maggie went to her first international diving comp in Australia at 10, winning multiple events. After that success in Sydney, she was hooked. The NH Diving Club member has achieved big, nationally and internationally. In 2022, Maggie was 1m Open Champ, 3m Open Champ and 3m Mixed Synchro Champ at the NZ Diving Champs. She achieved success in the same events at the NZ World Champs/ Commonwealth Games Qualification Event 2022, adding the 10m Platform Open Women's Synchro title.

Other achievements include:- North Harbour Diver of the Year Trophy, 2021; a FINA International Diving Development Scholarship 2022; Takapuna Grammar Sportswoman of the Year 2022.

“Winning the AIMES Junior Excellence Award was a massive thrill and boost,” says Maggie. “At 13, I was the youngest New Zealander in the senior NZ team. When 14 I competed at FINA Grand Prix events and won a medal.”

Covid proved to be a temporary road block for Maggie’s career. She was back in the pool in 2021 and says that 2022 proved to be a balancing act.

Maggie says that training 24 hours per week, balancing time out from classes (1.5 days per week), qualifying, and managing extra school work was hugely challenging.

“I have high standards for my diving and education. I was scheduled to finish school in 2023, but was determined to finish a year early to focus on working towards Paris Olympic selection. This meant I had to skip a year ahead in the majority of my subjects and work really hard to achieve my NCEA excellence endorsement in both Level 2 and Level 3 in the same year.”

Her Commonwealth Games journey was full of ups and downs. Maggie ended up competing (as the youngest NZ team member, aged 16) in less than perfect physical condition having contracted COVID in Europe, being cleared to compete only days out. She qualified for 1m, 3m, and 3m Mixed Synchro at Birmingham, placed 10th in the final of 1m with a PB and 9th in final of 3m Mixed Synchro.

Other international results:- Silver at FINA Gold Coast Grand Prix 2019; Top NZ qualifier for semi-finals of 3m Springboard at FINA Malaysian Grand Prix 2019; Qualified finals FINA World Diving Champs 2022 and Junior Worlds 2022.

In 2023 Maggie’s plan has been to continue training full-time and attempt Paris 2024 Olympic qualification. Her ambition is to study engineering on a diving scholarship in the US from 2024.

Maggie Squire receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Rico Bearman

(19) BMX ATHLETE

Former Westlake Boys student and North Harbour BMX club member Rico Bearman started in the Sport of BMX at four years old. He loved it from those first pedals and has never looked back. He now has five World Championship Titles, two World Cup wins, a second placing in World Cup overall series and 10 National Championship BMX titles. He is currently New Zealand’s highest Olympic points scorer pushing to qualify for a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Rico’s five world titles have been won all over the world. In Australia, South Africa, Holland, England and Belgium. He says 2022 was an all-time career high, winning the two World Cup titles in Scotland and Colombia. He made seven out of eight World Cup finals in 2022. The consistent World Cup campaign meant he finished second for the UCI World Cup season. On the American ProCircuit he made five Pro Men finals with one podium finish.

Rico says he has always had one main goal, the Olympics – since the day he was old enough to understand what they were. He’s focused on the 2024 Olympics and also winning the 2023 Under 23 World Championship and World Cup overall series.

AIMES Award grant funds are going to impact Rico’s Olympic campaign hugely, as they will support him being able to fly to races around the world to better his points and provide the best preparation possible leading into the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

Rico says that financially chasing these races around the world is not easy as flights and travel comes with a high expense. “Receiving this award is going to help me significantly to chasing my childhood dream of racing for an Olympic medal.”

Since applying for the award and meeting with the judges, Rico has managed to win the 2023 New Zealand Elite (open men’s) BMX National title!

Sarina Todd

(20) COMMUNITY LEADER & INNOVATOR

The former Albany Senior College student is a penultimate year student at the University of Auckland, studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechatronics Engineering. The KiwiJapanese Greenhithe local, is a tireless worker for causes she is passionate about – valuing equity, service and leadership.

In her first community project, The Butterfly Project, Sarina instigated, led, designed and built the community garden at Albany Junior High. The garden provides a habitat for the endangered monarchs to grow and thrive. It also educates students about the importance of preserving monarchs.

Sarina’s passionate about encouraging young women and genderdiverse individuals to pursue STEM careers. Her passions and values align with two of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - Quality Education and Gender Equality.

Sarina co-founded the Women in STEM project (WISTEM), at Albany Senior High. In lockdown, they contacted over 200 women in leadership, including Jacinda Ardern, Dr Michelle Dickinson, Dame Juliet Gerrard and Siouxsie Wiles. Interviews were filmed and went live on the women in STEM website which Sarina coded. This was shared with schools all over New Zealand.

Sarina is on the committee of the not-for-profit organisation She Sharp, and is Treasurer for the Women in Engineering Network (WEN) at her University. She was Outreach Leader in 2022, and Marketing Leader 2021.

Sarina has also led robotics workshops by partnering with Kiwibots, and run workshops at the Tauranga STEMfest. She works for the university under the WIE33 project.

Sarina was selected to be the Engineering Representative for Mana Wāhine, a sub-committee of the University Students’ Association. She’s also the VP of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Student Association (MECHA) and led the ‘Women in Mech’ event.

She has organised Enginuity Day in 2021, 2022 and 2023, an annual event for high school girls to explore the possibility of a career as an engineer.

Sarina trained as a sound and lighting technician for events and has volunteered hundreds of hours, most recently being Head Sound Technician for the Engineering Revue at the University.

Sarina was selected as one of 10, out of 1000-plus students, for the prestigious Dean’s Leadership Programme, graduating as a Colin Maiden Scholar. She has many other awards and achievements – too many to list!

Sarina sees her future in engineering leadership, and making it easier for young women and gender diverse individuals to pursue STEM careers. AIMES grant funds will go towards projects and programmes to support young women and minority communities.

Sarina Todd receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Rico Bearman receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Sienna Going

(16) BALLET DANCER

Alfie Steedman

(16) RUNNER

At the age of 3, Sienna was given a DVD of the New York Ballet Company dancing. She was hooked, requesting the movie repeatedly and copying their graceful, joyful movements.

Her mother noticed how she loved to dance, enrolling her at Cameron Ballet Academy in Hobsonville at age 4.

At age of 10, Sienna auditioned for the NZ School of Dance and was chosen to go to Wellington seven times a year. Each of the following years she was re-accepted into the programme and three years later was chosen for the National Associate Programme, which starts at age 13. In the same year, she was selected by the Director for the Royal NZ Ballet Mentor Programme.

Sienna has also trained with Angela Gendall (Riverhead) and Nicci Theis McEwan (Herald Island).

Sienna started winning competitions at age 9, by 11 she had won 12 out of 12 categories. At 12, Sienna was selected to perform a very technical dance in the Royal NZ Ballet's Nutcracker at the Civic Theatre. At 13, she was awarded 'Best Dance of the Competition

All Ages' at the Caledonians. Aged 9 to 14, Sienna won over 130 first-place trophies in NZ dance competitions. In 2021 at a Summer Intensive, Sienna was awarded the top prize by the international teacher Miko Fogarty.

In 2021, Sienna was accepted into both the Australian and Queensland Ballet School Academy. She turned down those opportunities to accept a scholarship to the Princess Grace Academie, Monaco. Only 10 female students are chosen worldwide each year to train at this prestigious school. Sienna’s the youngest New Zealander to have ever been given a place at Princess Grace, and only the third to attend the school.

Sienna was put straight into the 2nd year at Academie Princess Grace. 25% of students each year are not invited back. Sienna was, being the only student in her class approved to advance. Sienna undertakes between 4 to 7 hours each day of physical training and also studies music for ballet, dance history and French.

Sienna is now in her second year at Academie Princess Grace. Her goal is to dance professionally for one of the top ballet companies in a strong classical and neo-classical repertoire. AIMES grant funds will go towards helping Sienna complete her training.

Sienna Going receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by Bellingham Wallace, and a cash grant of $7,500.

Westlake Boys student Alfie Steedman is a hugely promising runner, competing in track and field, distance and cross country running. While Alfie’s first sport was football, his success in running was early, winning cross country races at primary school and an Intermediate Northern Interzone Cross Country race.

It wasn’t until joining the running club at Westlake that he decided to pursue running on the back of impressive results.

In November 2020 he ran a 1500 metre personal best (PB) of 4 minutes 28 seconds. In December, he came 7th in the year 9 National Road Race at Tauranga.

2021 commenced with a 1500 metre PB of 4:26. Representing North Harbour at the North Island Track and Field Champs, Alfie won the 800 metres in a time of 2:07.

During 2021 his 1500 metre time went from 4:24 to 4:05, 3000 metre from 9:52 to 9:15, 800 metre from 2:07 to 2:01. Very competitive times for a 14-year-old, beating others who had constantly out run him.

At the start of 2022 he was back to training harder than ever, kicking the year off with a 9:00min 3000 metres. In March he ran 8:37 for the 3000 metres and 4:02 for the 1500 metres.

Alfie says he knew running was for him, football started to take a back seat.

He went on to have the best Cross Country and Track season of his life winning the NZ Cross Country, Australian Under 16 Cross Country and the NZ Junior 1500 and 3000 metre titles. Lowering his 3000 metre PB to 8:27.08, 1500 metre PB to 3:53.47, and 5000 metre PB to 14:35. All under the NZ Records!

At the NZ Track and Field Champs in Napier he ran 8:37 for 3000 metres, to finish second as a 15-year-old in the Under 18 Championship race.

In January this year Alfie came second in the U20 NZ national 3000 metres in 8:19.74. He then won the NZ U20 Mile champs in a time of 4:09.96, a new NZ record for a Kiwi U17 runner. In March he won both the 3000 and 1500 metres U18 titles.

“They say running is 90% mental and 10% physical, which is very true,” says Alfie. “Mentally committing to running allows you to physically commit with nothing holding you back, this means day in day out you do the work with no excuses.”

The grant funds will enable Alfie to compete at bigger events both inside and outside of NZ, such as the Australian Cross Country Champs, a Kenyan Development Camp at altitude, the ISF World Cross Country Champs in Europe and the IAAF World Under 20 Junior Track Champs in Lima, Peru.

Alfie’s long-term goal is to get a running scholarship to an American University.

Alfie Steedman receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

AIMES SCHOLARSHIP AWARD - SPONSORED BY VANTAGE WINDOWS & DOORS NORTH SHORE

Benji Groen

(14) BALLET DANCER

14 year old Benji Groen has a dream to become a professional ballet dancer. Benji’s from a family of six, with his two older sisters being classical dancers. He grew up watching ballet classes.

Benji says when he was 5 he begged his mum for ballet lessons. Being an active child mum enrolled Benji in a hip-hop class thinking it would be more ‘boyish’ and fun. He hated it and continued to ask to do ballet!

On turning 7 mum gave in and enrolled him in grade 1 RAD ballet. It helped that his 19 year old sister Natalie was the teacher and he never looked back! He says he was completely and utterly smitten by this incredible art form.

Benji is home schooled through Te Kura online. He says this enables him to put in the amount of training hours needed to be competitive internationally.

“My teacher, Nicci Theis McEwan, has a small ‘boutique’ school, Papilio Atelier, for exceptional students who are training to dance professionally. Nicci is my role model, my mentor and a second mum to me. She was principle dancer with the Scottish Ballet so she knows what it feels like to be training so hard and to want something so badly that you are willing to give up almost everything else to achieve your dream.”

Other achievements include:- Passed vocational RAD ballet exams to date with distinction; Invitee to the Australian Ballet School and part of their International Training Program; Junior associate (classical major) with NZ School of Dance; Part of the Royal NZ Ballet Mentor Program; Awarded Scholarships to English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, International Summer School (Italy), Alberta Ballet School (Canada) and the Nervi International Dance Festival (Italy); Gold medallist at the Singapore World Ballet Grand Prix; Winner at Spera International ballet competition and Global Dance open competition securing a place in the 2023 finals which are being held in Spain.

Since applying for an AIMES Award Benji has successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet School 2023 summer intensive program at White Lodge in London. He says the AIMES scholarship funds will help tremendously with the cost of travel to the UK and tuition fees.

Benji Groen receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

George Lee Rush (18) & Seb Menzies (18)

SAILORS

Promising local North Shore sailors George Lee Rush (ex-Westlake Boys) and Seb Menzies (ex-Rangitoto College) each receive an AIMES Scholarship for 2023. They have both previously been recognised by the North Harbour Club with AIMES Junior Excellence Awards in 2018/2019.

In November 2021, the duo teamed up in the 29er skiff class. They had been friends since sailing the Optimist class at National and International level (both were in the NZL Optimist team for several years). They've won over 20 National titles and several International titles between them in 8 different classes. They also compete in the 49erFX class. George sails out of the Wakatere Boat Club and Seb the Murrays Bay Sailing Club.

In their first domestic NZ season they managed to win all 29er regattas, including the NZ Nationals Championships, the Yachting NZ Oceanbridge Youth Trials (winning the NZ representative spot for the Youth World Sailing Championships), the Auckland Championships and the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. In a number of the regattas including the Youth Trials they won the majority of the races.

In mid 2022 they headed off on a two month European tour, the first opportunity to test themselves against international competition. They sailed a total of 56 races, winning 26 of them. They travelled through nine countries and competed in four regattas, achieving the following results:- 1st Overall 49erFX Junior World Championships, Lake Como, Italy; 1st Overall Kiel Week/29er Euro Cup Kiel, Germany (the largest dingy regatta in the World); 1st Overall 29er European Championships, Rungsted, Denmark; 3rd Overall Youth World Sailing Championships, The Hague, Netherlands.

George and Seb have received the following awards: Yachting NZ Excellence Award; Yachting NZ Young Sailors of the Year Award; Overall Sportsman of the Year at their respective Schools (both, individually); Finalist (one of 5) for College Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year; Harbour Sports Junior Team of the Year

On the basis of their results, they decided to take a gap year in 2023 (final school year), to concentrate on sailing full-time. They are part of Yachting New Zealand’s Fast Track Squad which involves gym work at the AUT Millennium – training, coaching, campaign planning and travelling

to/competing in regattas for the whole of 2023, with support from Yachting NZ and High Performance Sport NZ.

They are planning a very extensive European sailing campaign in 2023, involving three separate trips and totalling over 130 days overseas. Scholarship funds will be used towards their overall sailing costs.

George Lee Rush and Seb Menzies each receive a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000 each.

Isabelle Ning

(13) CHESS PLAYER

Isabelle Ning is a Kristin School pupil who’s passion is playing Chess. A sport that challenges the mind which is why she loves it.

Isabelle started playing chess when she was 6 years old and has been playing ever since. She says there was a chess set at the family homes and she was interested to learn how to play.

“When I started to enjoy Chess I decided to take group lessons. After only four months of playing I participated in the Auckland Girls Chess Champs, and to my surprise, I won the Under 8 group. After that, I was determined to be a good chess player because I loved the experience of my first ever tournament.”

Isabelle then started private lessons and got to travel to Brazil a year later for the World Cadets Chess Champs, her first International Chess tournament. She has since competed in Thailand, Albania, Sri Lanka, Australia, China and India.

Isabelle now has two coaches. New Zealand’s best coach, FM Ewen Green, and GM Dejan Bojkov, a Grandmaster from Bulgaria. The NZ Chess Federation has also chosen Isabelle to be coached (online) by some of the best coaches in the world.

Isabelle’s achievements include:- NZ Women Blitz Champion 2023; Oceania Women Blitz Runner up 2023; NZ Women’s Chess team 2020/2022; 2nd place in the NZ Rapid Chess Champs 2022; 2nd place in the NZ Women Chess Champs 2022; NZ School Girl Chess Champion 2020, 2021, 2022; Achieved the WCM (Women’s Candidate Master) title in 2021; NZ Junior Chess Champion 2020 (Under 20); 8th in Asian Youth Chess Champs 2019; Oceania U10 Girls Champion 2019.

Isabelle says her dream for Chess in the future is to become a Grandmaster. She says there are over a thousand GMs in the world but only 40 of them are female.

AIMES Scholarship funding will help Isabelle reach her stated Chess goals – paying for flights, accommodation, entry fees and coaching.

Isabelle Ning receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Jaden Movold

(19) PARA ATHLETE

Former Rangitoto College deputy head boy Jaden Movold is a nationally classified T54 para wheelchair racer, competing in distances from 100m to 10km. He holds numerous NZ Age Group Records, has won multiple national titles and medals from the Australian National Championships.

Jaden has previously been recognised by the North Harbour Club for his service and sports achievements with an AIMES Junior Excellence Award in 2015.

In January, Jaden competed in the 2023 International Summer Down Under Wheelchair Racing Series in Canberra, achieving 4 out of 7 personal bests and securing a bronze as part of the Australian National Champs in the 5000m. He also competed in the Athletics Australian Capital Territory Championships, where he placed first in the U20 Men’s Wheelchair for the 100m, 200m, 400m, 500m, and 1500m, achieving personal bests in all distances.

As a result of these recent successes Jaden is ranked between 1st and 3rd in the world for the U20 men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m events.

Living with spina bifida, Jaden has been a para-athlete for most of his life, competing in triathlons, wheelchair basketball, and swimming for many years to a high level. Since 2019 his focus has been on wheelchair racing. He is also a second-year university student studying psychology at AUT.

Jaden is very active in the community, is an ambassador of the Yes Disability Resource Centre and Achilles International NZ. He also serves on the Ministry of Youth Development Youth Advisory Group, the Auckland Transport Capital Projects Accessibility Group, the Halberg Youth Council, and the National I.Lead Committee, representing the voices of young disabled New Zealanders working towards a more inclusive New Zealand.

Jaden also speaks publicly to schools, community groups, and organisations on his journey and the use of resilience to achieve goals. He’s also a part-time coach working with young disabled athletes through Disability Sport Auckland. In addition to his sports aspirations, he is committed to working hard in his advocacy work (especially around disabled people’s access to sports) and leadership roles within the community.

AIMES Scholarship funds will be used to increase his international racing opportunities. For 2024 and beyond, Jaden's goals are to keep traveling internationally to train and compete while balancing studies and community commitments.

Jaden Movold receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Lauren Wycherley (14)

BALLET DANCER

Madeleine Xiao

(18) PIANIST

Coatesville youngster Lauren Wycherley has been training as a ballet dancer since she was 8 years old. She attended Coatesville Primary, then Albany Junior High, and now studies with Te Kura Correspondence School. This provides more time for training and classes.

In 2017, just 8 months after starting ballet, Lauren reached the finals of the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong. In 2019, she was placed third at the same event, being one of the youngest participants.

Lauren has developed to be one of the best NZ ballet dancers in her age group, and one of the top dancers in Australasia. Her stated goal is to become NZ’s top ballet dancer of all time.

She now competes in 10-12 NZ competitions per year and has won or placed at most of these, winning many trophies, awards and scholarships.

In 2020, Lauren entered America's biggest ballet competition, the world’s largest scholarship competition – Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in Los Angeles. She won the regional semi-final, and was invited to compete at the Grand Final in New York which was subsequently cancelled due to Covid. In 2020 she competed again in YAGP Australasia finals and made it into the top 12. In 2021, Lauren placed 3rd in the International Virtual Final, Juniors section, which included dancers from all over the world. In November 2022, Lauren placed first in the YAGP International Grand Finals, winning the competition against thousands of the best young dancers from all over the world.

In 2021, Lauren also competed in the South Africa International Ballet Competition virtual finals, and was awarded an International Scholarship with the Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London.

In 2022, Lauren placed second at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) 14+ competition. In 2022 she was also awarded a three-week scholarship to Joffrey Ballet School in New York which Lauren plans to attend later in 2023. She was also awarded a 3-week scholarship at a school in Italy, Art Studio Danza.

Lauren’s medium term goal is to be awarded a full scholarship to train at the Royal Ballet School in London (at age 16). She hopes to graduate at 19, and go on to join a ballet company in Europe and become a principal dancer and then Prima Ballerina.

Scholarship funds will support more ballet lessons, training and intensive courses.

Lauren Wycherley receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Madeleine Xiao is an aspiring young musician who began her musical journey at the age of five, starting with piano. The former Carmel College student is currently in her second-year at the University of Auckland studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Performance, studying under Dr Rae de Lisle, Bryan Sayer and Katherine Austin.

As well as excelling in Music, Madeleine has also excelled academically, having gained several awards at Carmel, including top subject scholars and distinction awards. In her last year of high school, in Year 12, she was also awarded the cup for Outstanding Contribution Award to Music and also became the youngest recipient of the Principal's Award, which is usually given to Year 13s.

Madeleine has achieved numerous top Music awards and scholarships. She has been generously supported by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, Chiron Lewis Eady Foundation and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2022, Madeleine was a winner of the Auckland Youth Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition, where she received the opportunity to perform Ravel's Piano Concerto in G in a concert tour with the orchestra, including a final concert at the Auckland Town Hall. She also won the University of Auckland School of Music Concerto Competition.

In 2023, Madeleine was selected to attend the Adam Chamber Music Festival in Nelson, working with the New Zealand String Quartet. She also played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey in the Christchurch Town Hall competing in the finale of the National Concerto Competition.

Apart from being a soloist, Madeleine is a passionate chamber musician and collaborative pianist with experience in coaching and playing with both vocalists and instrumentalists. She plays for several choirs and accompanies for events, such as the Big Sing and the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Auckland Museum. Madeleine’s chamber group, Kaha Trio, is an Auckland Philharmonia Aspiring Musicians Ensemble for the second year and performs regularly across Auckland and its wider regions.

Madeleine says receiving this scholarship will help support her musical development in many ways, from education development to funding for competition and travelling expenses.

Madeleine Xiao receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Shan Liu (13)

PIANIST

Shan Liu, a Year 9 student at Westlake Boys High School, started to learn piano with Miss Xi Jiang in 2017. His current tutors are Stephen De Pledge (School of Music, University of Auckland) and Prof. Xin Wang (Chinese pianist in Germany).

Shan’s goal is to become a concert pianist or a music teacher. Playing piano is the most important aspect of his life. He has won numerous national and international competitions and has been invited to perform in many countries, including China, Australia, UK, Italy, Germany, USA, Belgium and The Netherlands from 2018 to 2022. Despite his young age, Shan has performed as a piano soloist with many orchestras.

Shan strives for excellence with his piano performance and towards his music goals.

In 2019, Shan was awarded a full scholarship to Germany to participate in a masterclass with Manfred Fock at Nubeck National Conservatory of Music.

In 2022 was invited by Germany International Music Festival Beethoven Orbit to play a solo recital concert in Germany. All proceeds were donated to a local charity organisation to support Ukraine refugees.

Other achievements in 2022 were: Grand Prize Winner of 2021 Pacific Rim International Piano Competition (PRM), which led to represent NZ and compete International Grand Final, winning the Gold Prize in 2022; Invited to perform his recital at the acclaimed Carnegie Hall in January 2023; 1st Prize and Best Performance Prize and Audience Prize at 2022 International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in The Netherlands – youngest ever 1st Prize winner in event history.

Shan started to play with orchestras from the age of nine. He has performed with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Auckland.

Shan’s achievements have also included:- Grand Jury Prize of 2nd Everade National Youth Piano Competition (China, 2018); 1st Prize of 11th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition (China, 2018); 1st Place for 2019 Hamilton Piano Competition, NSPAC & SAPAC Piano Competitions; 1st Place of 2019 & 2021 IRMT (Auckland Branch) Scholarships; 1st Place of 2020 Cesar Franck International Piano Competition (Belgium); 1st Prize of 2020 Piano Talent Online Competition (Italy); 1st Place of 2020 NZ Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition; 1st Place of 2020 Kings Peak International Piano Competition (USA).

AIMES Scholarship grant funds will enable Shan to perform and pursue his goals overseas.

Shan Liu receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Yuzhang Wu

(16) PIANIST

Pianist Yuzhang Wu is a year 12 student at Pinehurst School. She was a recipient of an AIMES Junior Excellence Award for Music in 2020.

Yuzhang began learning the piano at the age of five. She also plays Cello.

In 2019, Yuzhang earned first prize in the 3rd Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians in China, providing the opportunity to perform Mozart's Piano Concerto KV 414 with the Salzburg Chamber Soloists.

Her awards for local music competitions include the Overall Winner of the Ara Lodge (APPA) Music Awards, 2017; the Pacific International Music Competition for Youth; the Norah Howell Recital in 2022; the Josephine Burry Concerto Prize from 2019 to 2022; Elizabeth Long Piano Scholarship (IRMT), 2021; Margaret Doone Memorial Piano Sonata Scholarship(IRMT); Alice Cole Piano Scholarship, 2022.

In 2018, Yuzhang travelled as a soloist with the APO (Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra) Chamber Orchestra, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto KV414 at the Eurochestries Festival in Qingdao, China. She also appeared with the Chamber Orchestra at Tianjin Grand Theatre and Auckland Town Hall, performing Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor.

In 2020, Yuzhang performed Saint Saëns Carnival of the Animals with the APO. She also got the opportunity to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the NZSO.

In August 2022, Yuzhang gave a Lunchtime Concert at the New Zealand School of Music's Adam Concert Room. In September, she performed Bach: Partita No.6 in APO Up Close with Bach.

Yuzhang ia a cellist in the Pinehurst School Orchestra.

Her goal is to be a New Zealand classical concert pianist and music educator on the world stage. She is keen on opportunities like famous music festivals in the US and Europe, and important international competitions for year 2023/2024.

The award grant will help Yuzhang to participate in international competitions and prestigious music festivals around the world.

After graduation from Pinehurst, she plans to apply for universities in the US or Germany to continue her music studies.

Yuzhang Wu receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

AIMES AWARDS WINNERS 2022–1995

2021/2022

The AIMES Award winners for 2021/22 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Arts Award ($15,000) – Zoe White

Innovation Award ($15,000) – Murdoch Thomson

Music Award ($15,000) – Christine Haeun Lee

Education Award ($15,000) – Jae Jun Kim

Sport Award ($15,000) - Alicia Hoskin

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) - Oscar Thomas

Ross Finlayson Award – Tayla Alexander

Judges Special Award – David Paligora

2021/22 Emerging Talent Award winners ($7,500 each) – Oliver Cain; Lauren Towns; Shuan Liu; Liam Wright; Joshua Kirk; Jannik Wittgen; Ben Old.

2021/22 Scholarship winners ($3,000 each) – Arlo Feeney; Janayah Wadsworth; Alice Jones; Lily Woods; Caitlin O’Reilly; Chantelle May; Lewis Bower; Greer Morley; Melissa Cowen.

2020

The AIMES Award winners for 2020 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Innovation Award ($15,000) – Grace Stratton

Arts Award ($15,000) – Kit Reilly

Music Award ($15,000) – Olivia McNeill

Education Award ($15,000) – Richard Rahardja

Sport Award ($15,000) - Oscar Gunn

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) - Matthew Goldsworthy

Ross Finlayson Award – Isobel Campbell, Lina Kim

2020 Emerging Talent Award winners ($7,500 each) – Pippi Duncan; Cruz Erdmann; Jasmine Jared; Christopher Justin Pereira; Cameron McTaggart; Taine Murray.

2020 Junior Excellence winners ($3,000 each) - William Colman; Declan Squire; Yuzhang Wu; Joe Leith; Karmen-Elizabeth Maritz; Jack Denny.

2020 Sports Scholarship winners ($2000 each) – Ryan Jefferson; Brianna Orams; Savannah Scheen.

2019

The AIMES Award winners for 2019 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Innovation Award ($15,000)

– Courtney Davies

Arts Award ($15,000) – Andrew Coshan

Music Award ($15,000) – Matthias Balzat

Education Award ($15,000 each) – Jack Alexander, Harry Alexander

Sport Award ($15,000) - Connor Bell

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) – Nancy Yuan

Ross Finlayson Award – Tayla Woolley

2019 Emerging Talent Awards ($7,500 each) – Amelia Ullrich, Tess Costil, Tayla Alexander, Emilly Fan, Kanah Andrews-Nahu, Mae Everett

2019 Sports Scholarships ($2,000 each) – Mikayla Smyth, Cameron

McTaggart, Blake McGlashan & Sebastian Menzies, Taine Murray

2019 Junior Excellence Winners ($3,000 each) - Lianne Kim, Andrew Smirnov, Nathan Jin, Liam Richards, Daichi Iizuka, Amy-Lee Pateman, Zoe Ellis, Benedict Thomas, ($1,000 special award) Lesina Eneleo

2018

The AIMES Award winners for 2018 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Innovation Award ($15,000)

– Sharndre Kushor

Arts Award ($15,000) – Natasha Wilson

Music Award ($15,000) – Sally Kim

Education Award ($15,000) – Michael Chieng

Sport Award ($15,000) - Georgia Williams

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) – Alexander Kuch

2018 Emerging Talent Awards ($7,500 each) – Ella Cornfield, Max Lawton, Anna Smart, Matthias Balzat, Dougal Burden, Ethan Dick, Oscar Gunn, Matthew Goldsworthy

2018 Junior Excellence Winners ($3,000 each) - Janayah Wadsworth, Alia Cauty, Hermione Aris, Alexander Beattie, Tiffany Ho, Ryan Jefferson, Sebastian Menzies, Jessie Honey, Kate McIntosh

2017

The AIMES Award winners for 2017 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Education Award ($15,000)

– Lewis Fry

Arts Award ($15,000) – Melanie Bracewell

Innovation Award ($15,000) – Jun Bing

Music Award ($15,000) – Jacky Siu

Sport Award ($10,000 each) - Alex Maloney & Molly Meech

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) – Alexia Hilbertidou

2017 Emerging Talent Awards ($7,500 each) – Zoe White; Blake Tolmie; Lauren Bennett; Matthew Beardsworth; Courtney Davies; Michaela SokolichBeatson; Cameron Webster; Olivia McTaggart; Ian Lim.

2017 Junior Excellence Winners ($3,000 each) - Jasmine Jarad; Jesse Oh; Caitlin O’Reilly; Chantelle May; Maggie Squire; George Rush; Logan Somerville.

2016

The AIMES Award winners for 2016 were:Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Sport Award ($15,000)

– Eliza McCartney

Arts Award ($15,000) – Joel Granger

Innovation Award ($15,000) – Sian Simpson

Music Award ($15,000) – Miller Christensen-Yule

Education Award ($15,000) - Michael McDonald

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) – Joseph Bergin

Judges Special Award ($15,000) - Avalon Biddle

2016 Emerging Talent Awards ($5,000 each) – Emma Lane, Andrew Coshan, Scott Wilson, Jacky Siu, Alexia Hibertidou, Florida Fatanitavake, ($8,000) - Kate and Greta Stewart

2016 Junior Excellence Winners ($3,000 each) - Satine Finer-Neuhauser, Henry Meng, Rico Bearman, Nadia Evans, Daniel Stoddart, Northcross Kapa Haka Group.

2015

The AIMES Award winners for 2015 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Education Award ($15,000) – Carl Hume

Arts Award ($15,000) – Emily Scott

Innovation Award ($15,000) – Sian Simpson

Music Award ($15,000) – Alexander Verster

Sport Award ($15,000 each - Joint Winners) – Michael Brake & Gemma Jones

Service to the Community Award ($15,000) – Mattea Mrkusic

2015 Emerging Talent Awards ($5,000 each) – Elizabeth Mandeno, Elizabeth Lunn, Shauno Isomura, Louisa Wang, Brendon Thomas, Danielle McKenzie, Britt Kindred, Lina Kim.

2015 Junior Excellence Winners ($3,000 each) - Matthew O'Connor, Cameron Brownsey, Iain Lam, Blake Tolmie, Catherine Oh, Jaden Movold, Quillan Denton (awarded $1,500).

2014

The AIMES Award winners for 2014 were:-

Supreme ($15,000) & AIMES Arts Award ($10,000) – Ben Sanders

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Leighton Watson

Music Award ($10,000) – Hye-Won Suh

Education Award ($10,000) – Finn Lowery

Sport Award ($10,000) – Teneale Hatton

Service to the Community Award ($10,000) – Dannie Cullen

Judges Special Award ($4,000 & $6,000 respectively)

– Tayla Alexander & David Light

2014 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Harry Bartlett, Lewis Fry, Emily Scott, Kit Reilly, Nicole Ashby, Eliza McCartney, Gemma Jones, Daniel Hoy.

2013

The AIMES Award winners for 2013 were:-

Supreme ($20,000) & AIMES Music Award ($10,000) – Ella YelichO'Connor

Arts Award ($10,000) – Bridget Costello

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Sarah Mitchell

Education Award ($10,000) – Michael MacDonald

Sport Award ($10,000) – Andrew Maloney,

Service to the Community Award ($10,000) – Loren O'Sullivan

Judges Special Award ($10,000) – Liam Stone

2013 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Joel Granger, Matthew Jones, Alex Taylor, George Muir, Georgia Williams, Finn Howard, Natalie Te Paa, Keon Park.

2012

The AIMES Award winners for 2012 were:-

Supreme ($20,000) & AIMES Sport Award ($10,000) – Lydia Ko

Arts Award ($10,000) – Rob Tucker

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Amy Smith

Music Award ($10,000) – Jason Bae

Education Award ($10,000) – Andrew MacDonald

Service to the Community Award ($10,000) – Joseph Bergin

2012 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Petra Bullock, Nick Hall, Teneale Hatton, Sarah Mitchell, Mattea Mrkusic, Jeremy Reid, Ben Sanders.

2011

The AIMES Award winners for 2011 were:-

Supreme ($20,000) & IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Richard Stebbing

Arts Award ($10,000) – Elliot Christensen-Yule

Music Award ($10,000) – Moses MacKay

Education Award ($10,000) – Blake Hansen

Sport Award ($10,000) – Thomas Abercrombie

Service to the Community Award ($10,000) – Amanda Judd

2011 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Alexandra Foster, Adam Gerrett, Seok Jun Bing, Aine Kelly-Costello, Lydia Ko, Rebecca Dubber.

2010

The AIMES Award winners for 2010 were:-

Supreme ($20,000) & AIMES Sports ($10,000) – Jacko Gill

Arts Award ($10,000) – Verity Burgess

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – David MacDonald

Music Award ($10,000 each - Joint Winners) – Sophie Bird; Will Martin

Education Award ($10,000) – Andrew MacDonald

Service to the Community Award ($10,000) – Anita Walbran

Judges Special Award ($6,000) – Shaun Quincey

2010 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Maddie Dillon, Chloe Francis, Stephanie Mitchell, The Naked & Famous, Michael Macdonald, Joseph Bergin.

2009

The AIMES Award winners for 2009 were:-

Supreme ($20,000) & Sport Award ($10,000) – Melissa Ingram

Arts Award ($10,000) – Anna-Louise Dillon-Herzog

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000 each - Joint Winners) –Daniel Playne & Yvette Perrott

Music Award ($10,000 each - Joint Winners) – Grayson Masefield & Amalia Hall

Education Award ($10,000) – Adrienne Anderson

Service To The Community Award ($10,000) – Cameron Calkoen

2009 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Sophie Corbidge, Chris Rahardja, Jenna Gallie, Jason Bae, Ellen Deverall, Arkesh Patel.

2008

The AIMES Award winners for 2008 were:-

Supreme Award ($20,000) & Sport Award ($10,000) – Tom Ashley

Arts Award ($10,000) – Sophie Henderson

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Daniel Playne

Education Award ($10,000) – Naomi Jones

Service To The Community Award ($10,000) – Sean Yang

Judges Special Award ($7,000) – Melissa Ingram

2008 Emerging Talent Awards ($4,000 each) – Verity Burgess, Brittany Carter, Andrew MacDonald, Andrew Maloney, Yvette Perrott, Yousif Rassam, Chris Steele, Erin Taylor, The Earlybirds (Filip Kostovich, Jared Aisher, Michael Cannon, Sean Patterson and Kane ter Veer).

B2 DIGITAL

PRINTING

A BENEFITZ POINT-OF-DIFFERENCE!

Benefitz HP Indigo B2 Digital Press is one of our big points of difference. This B2 Digital Press fits nicely between our short-run digital presses and our volume offset presses.

HP Indigo’s liquid ElectroInk technology ensures prints are of the highest quality, matching or even exceeding offset printing. ElectroInk also provides the widest digital colour gamut, with seven ink stations on the press.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A1 & B2?

NOT MUCH. Just the price. As we can print B2 digitally on our HP Indigo B2 Press.

530X740 B2

594X841 A1

This programme printed by this Benefitz B2 machine using solar power.

AIMES AWARDS WINNERS 2022 TO 1995

2007

The AIMES Award winners for 2007 were:-

Supreme Award ($15,000) & Education Award ($10,000)

– Matthew Flinn

Arts Award ($10,000) – Ananth Gopal

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($10,000) – Daniel Playne

Music Award ($10,000 each - three Winners) – Sarah McCallum, Tanya Cooling & Hollie Smith

Sport Award ($10,000) – Jo Aleh

Service To The Community Award ($10,000) – Loren O’Sullivan

2007 Emerging Talent Awards ($2,000 each) – Samuel Coldicutt, Robert Ellis, Mikhail Koudinov, Alexandra Maloney, Stephen Smith, Rob Tucker

2006

The AIMES Award winners for 2006 were:-

Joint Supreme Award ($10,000 each) & Sport Award ($10,000 each) –Juliette Haigh & Rebecca Spence

Arts Award ($8,000) – Dmitri (Dima) Ivanov

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($8,000) – Hayley Reynolds

Music Award ($8,000 each - Joint winners) – Julia McCarthy & Sarah McCracken

Education Award ($8,000) – Chye-Ching Huang

Service To The Community Award ($8,000) – Cameron Calkoen

2006 Emerging Talent Awards ($2,000 each) – Tom Ashley, Richard Chen, Caroline Grey, Blake Hansen. Violinist Richard Chen also received $5,000 from Corelli School for production of his own CD.

2005

The AIMES Award winners for 2005 were:-

Supreme Award ($10,000) & IT, Innovation & Science Award ($7,000) –Nodira Khoussainova

Arts Award ($7,000) – Ananth Gopal

Music Award ($5,000 plus $5,000 from Corelli School for production of a CD) – The Checks (Rock Band) Karel Chabera, Jacob Moore, Ed Knowles, Sven Petterson, Callum Martin

Education Award ($5,000) – Elizabeth Duncan

Sport Award ($5,000) – Hannah McLean

Judges Special Award ($5,000) – Amalia Hall

2004

The AIMES Award winners for 2004 were:-

Supreme Award ($10,000) & IT, Innovation & Science Award ($7,000) –Heather Brown

Arts Award ($5,000) – Kendra Oxley

Music Award ($5,000 plus $5,000 from Corelli School for production of a CD) – Simone Roggen

Education Award ($5,000 each, Joint winners) – Vicki McCall & Nicole Roughan

Sport Award ($5,000 each, Joint winners) – Juliette Haigh & Corney Swanepoel

2003

The AIMES Award winners for 2003 were:-

Supreme Award ($20,000) & Music Award ($7,000) – Kristen Darragh

Arts Award ($8,000) – Felicity Rogers

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($8,000) – Nodira Khoussainova

Music Award ($5,000 plus $5,000 from Corelli School for production of a CD) – Matthew Flinn

Education Award ($8,000) – Karen Lindsay

Sport Award ($8,000) – James Cressey

2002

The AIMES Award winners for 2002 were:-

Supreme Award ($10,000) & Sport Award ($8,000) – Terenzo Bozzone

Arts Award ($8,000) – Anna-Louise Herzog

IT, Innovation & Science Award ($8,000) – Michael Brown

Music Award ($8,000) – Sarah McCallum

Music Award ($5,000) – Robbie Ellis

Education Award ($8,000) – James Russell

2001

The AIMES Award winners for 2001 were:-

Supreme ($5,000) & Education Award ($8,000) – Mark Robinson

Arts Award ($8,000) – Helen Candy

Music Award ($9,000) – Sarah McCallum

Music Award ($4,000 each) – Emma Buckton, Vanessa McGowan

Education Award ($5,000) – Paul Bracewell

Education Award ($3,000) – Ian Munro

Sport Award ($8,000) – Michael Bullot

Sport Award ($7,000) – Terenzo Bozzone

Sport Award ($2,000) – Dean Kent

Sport Award ($2,000) – Jennifer Dryburgh

Judges Special Award ($1,000) – Fleur Ritchie

Judges Special Award ($500 each) – Jordan Barnes, Jonathan Coulam

2000

The AIMES Award winners for 2000 were:-

Supreme Award ($5,000) & Education Award ($8,000) – Clarissa Dunn

Arts Award ($8,000) – Andrea Proud

Music Award ($8,000) – Lara Hall

Sport Award ($8,000) – Monique Robins

Sport Award ($5,000) – Scott Talbot-Cameron

Sport Award ($5,000) – Steven Ferguson

Sport Award ($3,000) – Michael Bassett

Sport Award ($3,000) – Terenzo Bozzone

Sport Award ($2,000) – Simon Rea

AIMES AWARDS WINNERS 2022 TO 1995

1999

The AIMES Award winners for 1999 were:-

Supreme Award & Music Award ($8,000) – Rainer Gibbons

Arts Award ($1,500) – Mark Wells

Arts Award ($1,000) – Helen Candy

Arts Award ($1,000) – Felicity Rogers

Arts Award ($1,000) – Elaine Dowsett

Arts Award ($1,000) – Jon Gorrie

Arts Award ($500) – Bradley Fagan

Music Award ($500) – Ji-Hyun Kim

Music Award (Presented with a Picolo Clarinet) – Teresa Davis

Education Award ($3,000) – Nikolozi Meladze

Education & Sport Awards ($2,000) – Jamie Voss

Sport Award ($5,000) – Benjamin Pilley

Sport Award ($5,000) – Jennifer Dryburg

Sport Award ($2,500) – Slavik Shorinov

1998

The AIMES Award winners for 1998 were:-

Supreme Award & Sport Award ($8,000) – Nathan Handley

Music Award (Presented with Baby Grand Piano) – Justin Bird

Music Award ($3,750) – Neil Watson

Education Award ($2,500) – Amanda Rubick

Sport Award ($2,000) – Jemima Smeadley

Sport Award ($2,000) – Alister Gair

Sport Award ($2,000) – Felicity Gould-Hope

Sport Award ($2,000) – Jennifer Dryburgh

Sport Award ($2,000) – Jayson Herbert

1997

The AIMES Award winners for 1997 were:-

Supreme Award & Education Award ($6,000) – Philip Misur

Music Award ($3,000) – Lara Hall

Education Award ($2,000) – Claire Speedy

Sport Award ($2,000) – Sarah Macky

Sport Award ($2,000) – Jayson Herbert

Sport Award ($2,000) – Alastair Gair

Sport Award ($2,000) – Julie Worth

Sport Award ($2,000) – Craig Harper

Sport Award ($2,000) – Matthew Davies

Sport Award ($2,000) – Nathan Handley

1996

The AIMES Award winners for 1996 were:-

Supreme Award & Arts Award ($10,000) – Patricia Bolton

Music Award ($2,000) – Ben Hoadley

Music Award ($1,500) – Aron Ottingon

Sport Award ($5,000) – Daniel Slater

Sport Award ($2,500) – Matt Brown

Sport Award ($2,500) – Simon Cooke

Sport Award ($1,000) – Jacqui Ashworth

Sport Award ($1,000) – Abby Lye

Sport Award ($1,000) – Emma Tepavac

Music Award ($1,150) – Cameron Bettridge (Presented 1995)

UPCOMING EVENTS

These events (and others) are coming up in the second half of 2023. Put them in your diary.

North Harbour Club AGM & After 5

Hosted by BNZ Partners Centre Albany

29 June

BEN Breakfast with Brad Olsen of Infometrics

25 July

Hosted by Regatta Bar & Eatery, Takapuna

NeXt Leaders event with Alexia Hilbertidou of Girl Boss NZ

17 August

Hosted by Smales Farm

BEN Breakfast with Kelli Brett

19 September

Hosted by Regatta Bar & Eatery, Takapuna

NeXt Leaders - Lawn Bowls Championships

19 October

Hosted by Takapuna Bowling Club

Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunch

With guest speakers Dr Michelle Dickinson & David Downs

27 October

North Harbour Stadium

Business Hall of Fame Dinner

09 November

North Harbour Stadium

BEN Breakfast with Ray Davies

21 November

Hosted by Regatta Bar & Eatery, Takapuna

After 5 Christmas Event

06 December

Hosted by Benefitz

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