Rotorua youth celebrated at annual OneChance Youth Awards

Supreme Youth Leader winner Joape Nagera. Photo/Cinzia Photography

Rotorua's outstanding and talented youth were acknowledged last night at the annual OneChance Youth Awards.

There were 12 winners on the night, which had an all-white theme.

The youth were nominated between March and April and the awards were organised by 13 students from four high schools,

They were open to those ages 15 to 24 and there were $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

The winners were:
• Most Outstanding Youth Performance Group: Genesis Dance Crew, 14-18
• Most Outstanding Youth Performer: Rehua Selwyn, 17, Singer NZ
• Most Amazing Visual Youth Artist: Manaia Jennings, 18, Painter
• Most Outstanding Sports Team: Okareka Waka Ama Crew, 15-16
• Most Outstanding Sports Athlete: Makayla Timoti, 16, Waka Ama
• Most Outstanding Youth Employee: Joel King-Hazel, 21
• Most Outstanding Community Youth Ambassador: Joshua Gapes, 18
• Youth Services Icon Award: Bobby Mihi Howard
• X-Factor People's Choice Award: Joshua Gapes, 18
• Most Awesome Youth of the Year: Te Ao Leach, 18
• Cultural Leader of the Year: Anipatene Biddle, 17
• Supreme Youth Leader of the Year: Joape Nagera, 17

Before the awards, organising committee member Atera Apirana said they were a chance to celebrate youth.

"It gives them a night to tell them they are important and we are the future of Rotorua," she said.

The winner of the X-Factor People's Choice Award was chosen by voters and Joshua Gapes won by a landslide 198 votes, beating the next closest finalist by 109 votes.

The awards ceremony was held last night at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre to mark the start of Youth Week.

Up to $70,000 worth of items were sponsored to make the event happen, including the venue.