Mana Pounamu awards celebrate Otago taiohi Māori

The 2026 Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards have celebrated the accomplishments of 52 taiohi Māori (Māori youth) from secondary schools across Otago.

Now in its 26th year, the awards acknowledge excellence across a range of areas while encouraging taiohi Māori to consider tertiary education as their next step.

The awards were established in 2001 by Kāi Tahu tāua and educator the late Alva Kapa, alongside other Māori education leaders, to acknowledge the achievements of taiohi Māori throughout Otago.

Otago Polytechnic | Te Kura Matatini ki Otago and Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago are joint partners for the event.

For a second time (due to growing numbers), the awards were presented across two ceremonies at the College of Education auditorium.

Students from schools outside Dunedin were recognised at the morning session, followed by students from Dunedin schools at the afternoon session. Both ceremonies were opened by mana whenua.

Recipients and their whānau were also invited to share a hāngī at Otago Polytechnic’s Hub before or after their ceremony (served by the team from Te Punaka Ōwheo), providing an opportunity to celebrate together.

And while enjoying the shared lunch, the school students (and our own polytechnic ākonga) emjoyed watching waiata and haka performances by various secondary school groups from around the region.

Additional awards and scholarships were also presented, including Otago Polytechnic | Te Kura Matatini ki Otago scholarships covering full course fees for senior Mana Pounamu recipients, and Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago Māori Entrance Scholarships and two Commitment to Te Reo Māori Awards.

Mana Pounamu is a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Araiteuru, opened by Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago, Te Kura Matatini ki Otago – Otago Polytechnic, and Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga – Ministry of Education.

2026 Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards recipients:

Tuākana (Years 12 and 13)

Moana-Alev Turkmen (Blue Mountain College), Rocco Patterson (Cromwell College), Taituha Fowler (Dunstan High School), Nate Spooner (Maniototo Area School), Jorja Andrews (South Otago High School), Okeroa Jamieson (St Kevin’s College), Rāhana Brett (Te Kura o Tititea | Mount Aspiring College), Astrid Morrison (The Catlins Area School), Sarah-Jane Norman (Tokomairiro High School), Samuel Tipa (Waitaki Boys’ High School), Harmony Atarangi Robinson (Waitaki Girls’ High School), Thomasin Paerangi Ryan Wright (Wakatipu High School), Nuku Te Rangi Takaroro Deans Ritchie (Bayfield High School), Lula Joseph (Columba College), Lakaia Rangimarie Harris (East Otago High School), Jonty Ellis (John McGlashan College), Azariah Hughes (Kaikorai Valley College), Zane Rakete-Grey (King’s High School), Noelle Hill (Te Kura Tuarua o Kapua o te Raki | Logan Park High School), Kaedyn Trow (Otago Boys’ High School), Macy Crossan (Otago Girls’ High School), Nerida Gawn (Queen’s High School), Mia Wall (St Hilda’s Collegiate School), Sienna Forgie (Taieri College) Ratana Kahukura (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti) and Riley Matthews (Trinity Catholic College).

Tēina (Years 10 and 11) 

Ariana Cherry (Cromwell College), Keria Waitoa (Dunstan High School), Kahtaralise Keil (Roxburgh Area School), Indianna Hepi (Maniototo Area School), Kaya Leevey (South Otago High School), Kaycee Mae Gibbins (St Kevin’s College), Lianna Waitoa (Te Kura o Tititea | Mount Aspiring College), Malakai Stapleforth-Hill (The Catlins Area School), Tyrell Fraser (Tokomairiro High School), Sigley Kamo (Waitaki Boys’ High School), Ella Te Aotaumarewa Fiaigoa Faau (Waitaki Girls’ High School), Kora Frisby (Wakatipu High School), Sam Crawford (Bayfield High School), Ariana Cherry (Columba College), Taumuri-Apera Nanakia Wereta Whatuira (East Otago High School), Noah Ariki Bagley Konia (John McGlashan College), Campbell Tate (Kaikorai Valley College), Jesse-Alan Taylor (King’s High School), Eloise Beattie (Te Kura Tuarua o Kapua o te Raki | Logan Park High School), Tāmati Mattews (Otago Boys’ High School), Molly Gilbert (Otago Girls’ High School), Ora Winklemann (Queen’s High School), Te Haeatanui Stevens (St Hilda’s Collegiate School), Lucia Akiyama (Taieri College), Tui Peke (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti) and Manaia Batson (Trinity Catholic College).