Young people honoured for service, excellence

CARTERTON CHAMPS: Carterton awardees Laura Bradley (Youth 4 Community) and Rama Tapp (Kia Kaha) with Mayor John Booth.

Enthusiastic volunteers, a once painfully-shy caterer, an aspiring broadcaster, a male ballet dancer and eloquent speakers of te reo were just a few of the youngsters acclaimed for their contributions to the Wairarapa region.

Kuranui College hosted the second annual Wairarapa Youth Awards on Tuesday, honouring young people aged 12 to 24 who had achieved significant milestones in the last year.

Nine youth from the Carterton and Masterton districts were presented with awards across a variety of categories -- having achieved outstanding results in their chosen field, served their communities, raised awareness of youth issues or overcame obstacles.

The ceremony was opened with a musical set by Sarah Saunders, St Matthew's student and lead singer of Wairarapa Smokefreerockquest winners Halafaxa, and an opening karakia from Masterton District Council Maori liaison officer Hoani Paku.

South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples addressed the awardees, praising them for their youthful courage and conviction.

"Youth is a state of mind," Mrs Staples said.

"As we age, our state of mind is crowded by experience and dumbed down by fear.

"When we're younger, we're unafraid and approach life and experiences with a more open mind -- which is just what these young people have done."

The first accolade of the night, presented by Carterton Mayor John Booth went to Rama Tapp, a member of Rangatahi to Rangatira (R2R) and Carterton representative on the Wairarapa Youth Council.

Rama was nominated in the Kia Kaha category -- having pushed aside his shyness and discomfort with social situations to become a core member of R2R, taking charge of catering for social activities and meetings.

Also representing Carterton was Laura Bradley, who received the Youth 4 Community Award for her volunteer work for Connecting Communities -- helping out with the Youth Reserve, Junior Neighbourhood Support and the Youth Kinex health clinic.

Nominator Judi Rendall said Laura had a mature attitude and would "go above and beyond whatever is asked of her".

The first Masterton awardee was "community leader in the making" Michelle Trueman,who received a Youth 4 Community Award for her tireless service as a volunteer at Te Awhina Cameron Community House.

The two Rangatahi 4 Youth Awards (for participating in an activity that addresses youth issues) went to Khoby Tyacke for his assistance with the Connecting Communities holiday programme, and aspiring television journalist Abby May Wakefield for her volunteer work with TVNZ, appearing as a youth representative on the political discussion programme Back Benches.

The Beat Street Award for achievement in the arts went to Gus Syben, a student at the New Zealand School of Dance, for excelling in the female-dominated field of ballet and tap.

Nominator Jeanette Hall said Gus was a role model for male dancers, especially having endured harassment from peers and putting in long hours of practice.

The two Excellence Awards went to Kanakope Arahanga and Mei Manaia Warakihi Stevens.

Kanakope won her award for her "angelic voice" and leadership skills as a member of kapa haka group Wairarapa Ki Uta Ki Tai, and Mei Manaia won his for his success at the Nga Manu Korero National Secondary School Speech Contest.

As neither student was available on the night, their parents received their awards on their behalf -- and were met with a rousing haka from members of the Te Rangiura o Wairarapa kapa haka team.

Finally, disabled athlete Kristian Taylor, who had already received his award ahead of time, was acknowledged.

He had won the Kia Kaha Award for achieving in cross country, tramping and snow boarding.

The awards were organised and recipients chosen by the Wairarapa Youth Council, members of whom were MCs at the event.