Award winner aims at 4WD traction

Renee Harrison won the Outstanding Young Person award for her efforts on behalf of 4WD motor sport. Photo/Stuart Munro

A Wanganui teenager who won a national award said she was "humbled" by it.

"I didn't know what to say," said Year 12 Wanganui Girls' College student Renee Harrison.

Renee was handed the Outstanding Young Person of the Year award from the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association this month for her involvement in the sport.

"Renee has taken an interest in the sport since day one at the age of 10," father Grant Harrison said.

"The Wanganui club hosted round three of the 2014 trial series and Renee spent considerable time putting together a 10-minute promotional video which was posted on Facebook, in our business, and also at the local mall where we had Hamish Auret's new truck on display.

"She also spent about three hours per day with the truck for the eight days it was on display promoting the trial and handed out over 700 flyers for the event."

Renee was also the MC for the prizegiving, at which two association executives saw her and said how well she had done.

"I don't do it for any recognition," Renee said. "I just do it because I love the sport and the people involved. It's something different, not many people know about this sport or what it is."

She also has been a youth councillor on the Wanganui District Council for the past four years and is the co-deputy chairperson.

Mr Harrison said his daughter had taken on the role of running Wanganui events such as Picnic in the Park and Underground Youth Fashion Show.

Renee is also a competitive rower, is in the academic league at school, has a Bronze Star for lifesaving, and passed NCEA level one with nearly all excellences.

She hopes to raise awareness about four-wheel driving and get more people into the sport.