"Stacy Rolton spoke about his background, leaving school and working as a trolley collector, and now being the owner operator of Pak'nSave Kaitaia."
JD Kelly agreed that it was a very special occasion: "I have worked with youth for over a year, and as the nominations came in it was overwhelming to see how many awesome youth we had doing amazing things. I was honoured to be a part of the organising group."
The award winners and runners-up were as follows.
Tūao — Volunteer: runners-up — Aroha and Lani (Te Puna Aroha/Far North REAP), Shakani Murray (basketball referee), Te Hauroa Tawhara-Crown (Shine on Kaitaia). Winner — Noah Tauroa.
Mahi Tahi — Collective: runner-up — Limitless Youth Kaitaia. Winner — Mangonui Taniwha team 2019.
Auahatanga — Creative: runners-up — Jordan Tito, Manaaki Hoepo. Winner — Te Mahara Tamehana.
Mana Taiao — Leading Environmental Change: runner-up — Kaitaia School Strike For Climate Change Group. Winner — Irimana Van der Mei, Taz Snelling, Troy Panapa-Thurlby (Mud Tech).
Mahi Hiranga — Outstanding Employee: runner-up — Jordan Sheridan (Pak'nSave Kaitaia). Winner — Dianne Walters-Price (Pak'nSave Kaitaia and Building Safer Communities).
Te Manukura — Leadership: runners-up — Ethan Nemeroff (Far North Youth Council, Karis Roberts (Shine on Kaitaia). Winner — Shaquille Duval (Taipā Area School).
Te Angitu: runner-up — Cole Kara (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro). Winner — Te Aroha Pawa (Te Rangi Aniwaniwa).
Whakaoranga — Resilience: runners-up — Cheyenne Hurunui (NorthTech), Drew Larkin (Unichem Pharmacy). Winner — Detroyt Watene (Mangonui Taniwha team 2019).
Whangai Rangatahi — Youth Provider: runners-up — Te Reretai Hauiti (Te Rarawa), Tame Taufa (Ngāti Hine). Winner — Damien Rice (Te Hiku Hauora Youth Space).
Kairangi — Overall Excellence: winners — Karis Roberts and Manaaki Hoepo.
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Proceeds from the now finished Far North REAP/Toll Kaitaia youth truck washing scheme will be used to make an honours board that will name the Youth Award winners over the last three years, to be displayed in a yet to be determined location.