Rangatahi Discover Their World

Award ceremonies are always significant occasions, as we proudly celebrate the rangatahi who have embraced the challenges, risen to every occasion, and achieve success along each step of the journey. We showcase these inspiring rangatahi, hear about their Award journeys and celebrate their achievements.

On August 10th, 2022, 70 young people will receive their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards from Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel.

We will celebrate the rangatahi who have achieved the Silver and Gold of the Award journey and will also be celebrating the participants who have taken the first step on their Award journeys by achieving their Bronze Awards. Some of the rangatahi will be receiving their Gold Award from the Governor General in Wellington later in August. Awarding and recognising participants has been very difficult in the Covid era, so it is an exciting opportunity to recognise the work these young people have put in, despite the many challenges of completing their Awards in such times.

These outstanding young people have nurtured relationships and served their communities with conviction and compassion. Volunteering with the Salvation Army, Local Hospice and St Vincent De-Paul centres, alongside supporting refugees and migrant children to learn and coaching and encouraging younger people to be engaged with sport demonstrates their willingness to serve both the young and the elderly within the community. They have developed their communication and people skills. The Award builds confidence, and that is evident in the many leadership roles our participants have within the community/churches/youth groups and schools.

The dedication to personal development is admirable, and the diligence applied to the skills they are learning, sports they are playing, journeys they are taking and engagement in their communities reflect the motivation of the participants we honour today.

Receiving their Award at a ceremony is a real motivator for these participants, as it may be their first, and/or last time on the stage. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award is an Award for hard working all-rounders, as well as our highest achievers.

Success does not happen without careful planning and ongoing support from many staff, coaches, mentors, parents, and whānau. These participants are supported by a volunteer Award Leaders and Assessors who generously give of their time and expertise. For these students’ their mentor and Award Leader is Chris Allen, who delivers the Duke of Edinburgh’ Hillary Programme through his Joshua Foundation organisation.

It also wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the Award funders.

Thanks to Ministry of Youth Development, Sports New Zealand and Rata Foundation funding and the Award delivery support from Joshua Foundation reduces the burden families and schools bear in developing their young people. Our funders help to improve accessibility to the Award and especially encourages diversity and inclusion in our Award community.

We know through our Social Impact Research that the resounding positive impact of participation in the Award programme is not only assisting young people to build their confidence, to take ownership of their lives, and to stretch their limits, but that the commitment to civic duty, community service and contributing to society remain major motivators for our rangatahi through their Award journey and beyond. Mental and physical health are improved through participation, and teamwork and communication are life skills that serve our participants in the future.

Participants gain a wide range of hands-on skills throughout their Award journey which prepare them for the future. These life skills are, as our founder out it, “a do-it-yourself growing up kit” which help rangatahi to thrive in our constantly changing world.

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