MEDIA RELEASE 22 October 2014
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Outstanding Kiwis Recognised At 2014 Excellence Awards
Embargoed until 7.30pm, 22 October, 2014.

24 extraordinary young people received prestigious awards at the 2014 Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) Excellence Awards at Government House in Auckland last night.

Award winners from all over New Zealand gathered in Auckland to attend the premier youth awards that are a highlight on the FYD calendar.

The FYD Excellence Awards, sponsored by DNZ Property Fund, acknowledge the accomplishments of these successful young people, many of whom have made massive changes to both their outlook and their lives says FYD CEO, Marion Short.

“We’re so proud of all our winners,” says Short. “Their progress and achievements are exceptional and great examples of the difference FYD’s programmes can make to the lives of our young people.”

The FYD Excellence Awards were held at Government House in Auckland and opened by FYD Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand. Special guests included, FYD co-founders Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson, and Dame Catherine Tizard.

In total, 24 awards were presented, including:

• Ten Project K Student Excellence Awards for graduates of Project K who have shown the most outstanding commitment to the Project K programme and made significant changes in their lives, sponsored by New Zealand Steel and Partners Life

• Three Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards to acknowledge the great contribution of Stars Peer Mentors who are making a significant difference in the lives of the juniors in their school, sponsored by Collins Asset Management

• The Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award for an FYD alumni who has gone on to achieve excellence, sponsored by Kiwibank.

• Three Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Team Awards presented to six Kiwi Can leaders to recognise the wonderful contributions of leaders who are making a difference to the lives of young people, sponsored by Synergine Group.

• Two MYND Youth Achievement Awards to acknowledge outstanding progress made by graduates of the MYND programme, sponsored by DNZ

• One Career Navigator Award Career Navigator is a ready-for-work programme designed to successfully transition students into higher education and/or employment sponsored by Leighton Contractors

• The Outstanding Kiwi Can School awarded to a school from around New Zealand running an impeccable Kiwi Can programme and producing wonderful results, sponsored by Hynds Group

2014 Award Recipients

Project K Student Excellence Awards: Nikki Barnes (Marlborough), Jonty Robertson (Christchurch), Matthew Petersen (Auckland), Cameron MacLeod (Southland), Tanaea Heremaia (Auckland), Gemma Heslop (Bay of Plenty), Michael Start (Wellington), Teu Vaitohi (Auckland), Robert Waru (Waikato), Tanya Kaur (Auckland)

Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards: Paris John (Waikato), Taamara Solomon (Wellington), Lorenz Arabelo (Auckland).

Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award: Simon Pitts (Waikato)

Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Awards: Maine Noora and Jayleb Dean (Waikato); Natalie Kerr and Stuart Kent (Southland); Jonny Bull and Laura Griffin (Bay of Plenty)

MYND Youth Achievement Awards: Joshua Uritua (Auckland), DJ Davis (Auckland)

Career Navigator Award: Solinna Toul (Auckland)

Outstanding Kiwi Can School: Brookfield Primary School (Tauranga)

Award winners spent the day together in Auckland before the awards ceremony and were involved in a range of activities including an Amazing Race and activities at Deloitte, a long-term supporter of FYD.

FYD currently helps more than 18,000 young New Zealanders each year through its proven programmes - Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K, Career Navigator and MYND. All FYD programmes build on young people’s talents through physical and mental challenges; developing core life skills and helping them achieve their potential in order to succeed in life.

The Excellence Awards also marks the culmination of FYD’s Project K Awareness Month. Project K is for Year 10 students and delivered in three planned and fully integrated stages: wilderness adventure, community challenge and mentoring with a trained adult mentor.
CEO Marion Short is encouraging Kiwis to make a donation from just $20 to help FYD achieve its goal of beating the negative statistics around young New Zealanders lacking self-confidence.
As part of Project K Awareness Month, FYD is using the opportunity to look for new mentors and to expand its alumni: “While mentoring takes commitment, it is also hugely rewarding. As a mentor, your role will be to build a trusting, fun partnership with a Project K student and to help them to set and achieve their goals. You get to help positively shape a life and have fun.” says Short.
If you have previously been a Project K Mentor or would like to get involved and become a Project K mentor contact Nicky Davis nicky.davis@fyd.org.nz

What: FYD’s Project K campaign
Date: 1 October – 31 October
Cost: From just $20 you can change a Kiwi Kid’s life. Go to www.fyd.org.nz/pk

Ends

About FYD:
The Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) is a child and youth charity founded by Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson in 1995 as the Project K Trust. FYD is a leader in the field of child and youth development, running several successful proven programmes – Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K – across New Zealand and MYND in Auckland. In addition they are trialling Career Navigator, a school based ready for work programme in Auckland.
FYD programmes use elements of the great outdoors, inspirational classroom leaders and world-class mentors to help kids, from age 5 to 18, keep on track, develop confidence and self-belief, set goals for the future, and contribute positively to society. With New Zealand’s stunning outdoors and close-knit communities as the backdrop, FYD’s programmes build on young people’s talents through physical and mental challenges; developing core life skills and helping them achieve their potential.
FYD’s programmes are run across New Zealand by licensed community trusts, together reaching almost 18,000 young people every year.
Visit www.fyd.org.nz for more information.

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