"It means so much to me, everything to me," he said. "It's so prestigious to be awarded this honour, this accolade."
He had learned a lot from taking part, he said.
"It has taught me that those who are selfless go further in life. You need to be humble ... we all need that discipline. This has given me so much. I've grown so much in my culture."
Levi has plans to train as a teacher or further his te reo studies.
Meanwhile, his doting grandparents are stoked with his success.
"We are very proud," his grandmother Lynne Te Maari-Whata said.
"I was in hospital at the time and when he rang to tell me I had tears in my eyes. I couldn't stop those tears of joy for him."
The course offered the students a wealth of experience to help them in the future, she said.
"It is good discipline for them and the boys make friends for life."
