Teen earns top photography scholarship

BRIGHT FUTURE: Kahu Kutia's photography has been described as "truly amazing". PHOTO/FILE

A Whakatane teen has been announced as one of 35 students nationwide to be awarded a top subject scholarship - topping the country in photography.

Kahu Kutia, last year's head girl and dux at Trident High School, was the winner of the 2014 New Zealand Top Subject Scholarship Award for photography.

The New Zealand Scholarship results for 2014 were posted online yesterday.

Recipients of the Premier Award, Outstanding Scholar Award, and Top Subject Scholar Awards are available on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.

Trident High School principal Philip Gurney said the school was thrilled with Kahu's achievement.

"We were very excited to hear she has been awarded the top scholarship for photography. She got NCEA Level 3 endorsed with excellence and is an outstanding scholar."

Mr Gurney said students of the school picked up nine other scholarships "continuing a proud tradition".

"Our students receive scholarships every year so it's wonderful to see that tradition continued. Our arts and photography department always do well but this is the first time one of our students has been recognised as the best.

"It's a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and I know the photography teacher will be thrilled to hear of Kahu's achievement."

He said the photography board Kahu submitted was truly amazing.

"At the parents' evening, displaying the art boards, many people said Kahu's was on a different planet.

"We have no doubt she has a bright future ahead and has a lot to offer to the world."

Kahu received a Victoria Excellence Scholarship and will this year begin a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media Studies at Victoria University.

Almost 8000 students participated in New Zealand Scholarship examinations in 2014, with 2276 students being awarded one or more subject scholarships.

Qualifications Authority deputy chief executive Richard Thornton said award winning students would between them receive almost $3.7 million towards their further study over the next three years.

"The students gaining New Zealand Scholarship are the best of the best and their hard work throughout the school year is reflected in these results.