The Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards are held annually and recognise the difference that opportunities and positive change can make to a young person’s future.
Recipients receive a $3,000 scholarship or an Outward Bound scholarship experience to nurture their future interests, talents, and skills. Award categories acknowledge excellence in a variety of areas such as academic achievement, creative entrepreneurship, skills and technology, and leadership.
This year, four very special rangatahi who have been through Kia Puāwai services received an award at the December ceremony held in Wellington. One rangatahi won a PM award for his achievement at school and leadership during the year in his role as House Prefect. He will use the money he received with his award to go to Camp America next year and support himself when studying at AUT in the future. This award will help him to pursue both his leadership and academic goals.
Our second rangatahi was selected for the Kia Puāwai Te Iho Pūmanawa - Whakamana Tangata: Inspired and Empowered Rangatahi Award. Since coming into his caregiver’s care, this rangatahi discovered his gift for music, in particular, playing the piano. He has used his talent to give back and has made outstanding contributions to his whānau, community, and peers by showcasing his musical talent. He will be using the scholarship funds to buy a brand-new keyboard.
Our third rangatahi won an academic achievement award after completing her first year of study at Auckland University. She studies Ancient History and Film Studies and aspires to be a writer or an Ancient History professor. She will put the money towards supporting herself at university next year.
Our fourth rangatahi was nominated for an award due to her perseverance through extreme hardship, her diligence and ambition in creating a stable and healthy life, and her strong commitment to being a positive role model and guardian for her six younger siblings. She is motivated to use her experience in care to support other tamariki and rangatahi in foster care and will be using part of her scholarship to fund her social work foundation course, with the rest going into a term deposit.