Ceremony recognises South Taranaki youth

The achievements and success of South Taranaki rangatahi involved in the Youth to Work initiative have been celebrated with a glittering awards evening in Hāwera.

The event also recognised the employers, training providers and educational institutions that supported the scheme, with PKW proud to be sponsor of the Employer’s Award category.

The winner of the award, Everybody’s Theatre Trust in Ōpūnake, fought off stiff competition from four other nominees to earn the accolade.

“As an organisation, we are always keen to recognise the talent of our young people and to support those who do the same,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “So we are honoured to be sponsoring a category that acknowledges and celebrates South Taranaki employers who make an outstanding contribution to the future of these rangatahi by providing employment, training or apprenticeships.

“The Theatre Trust throughly deserve this award for the commitment and dedication they bring to help their young employees get a great start to their career, particularly as the Trust is completely run by volunteers.”

While choosing the winner, the judges noted it is often very difficult for young students to gain experience in the arts/creative pathway and it is excellent a Trust is providing this opportunity.

The Youth to Work initiative is one of the projects being carried out by the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, a nationwide organisation that involves every New Zealand mayor to boost employment opportunities in their town or region.

“We are particularly focused on getting young people into work and creating opportunities for them to follow after they leave school,” explains Ross Dunlop, Mayor of South Taranaki. “The annual awards evening is a wonderful way of celebrating the good things that are happening, and for many of those who were nominated it will have been the first time they have been recognised for an achievement.”

Above image (left to right): Mayor Ross Dunlop, Linda Morrison (Tairoa Lodge, 3rd), Ken Whiting (McCurdy Trucks, 2nd) and Thomas Anderson-Gardner, Cormach Hughson-How, Ruby Gatenby, Maddie Henare and Kim Gatenby (Everybody's Theatre, Opūnake, 1st) and Mitchell Ritai.

The Te Pae Tawhiti Award, sponsored by four Taranaki iwi, was won by Heavenlee Ngatai. This category was introduced at the last event to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of a young Māori person within South Taranaki who has excelled in their chosen career amongst their peers, community or within marae kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (hospitality), rangatiratanga (self determination) and wairuatanga (spirituality).

Nominations for all categories are invited biannually and Mayor Dunlop is keen to encourage more employers and young people to take part.

“We are also grateful for the on-going support of our sponsors,” he adds. “I would like to thank PKW personally for being part of the Youth to Work initiative.”

2019 South Taranaki Youth To Work Awards - FULL RESULTS

EMPLOYER AWARD

1st: Everybody’s Theatre, Ōpūnake

2nd: McCurdy’s Trucks, Hāwera

3rd: Tairoa Lodge, Hāwera

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE PROVIDERS AWARD

1st: Ngāruahine Iwi Health Services, Manaia

2nd: Tairoa Lodge, Hāwera

3rd: Sandford’s Rural Carriers, Auroa

LEARNING TO EMPLOYMENT AWARD

1st: Alyssa McCarty, nominated by Ōpūnake High School

2nd: Cameron Hasler, nominated by Lunch Shack, Hāwera and Lori Paterson-Beare

3rd: Jared Torrington, nominated by McDonalds, Hāwera

TE PAE TAWHITI AWARD

1st: Heavenlee Ngatai, nominated by Tawhitinui Pa

2nd: Kaile Butcher, nominated by Hāwera High School

3rd: Fern Wilson, nominated by Pātea High School

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD, 16-19 YEARS

1st: Caylin Cozette, nominated by Tairoa Lodge

2nd: Liam Whelan, nominated by Hāwera High School

3rd: Michael Back, nominated by Eltham Construction

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD, 20-24 YEARS

1st: Tim Preston, nominated by Argyle Performance Workwear

2nd: Katie Adlam, nominated by Pak n Save, Hāwera

3rd: Cody Bibby, nominated by Beccard Motors, Hāwera