A Tauranga Girls' College student has been chosen as one of six students to represent New Zealand at the 2013 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific Final in Hong Kong.
Seventeen-year-old Loren McCarthy is part of a Young Enterprise Scheme team called Soar Enterprise which has developed a blended chocolateand nut spread.
The girls were runners-up in the recent regional Dragons Den competition and were selected to take part in the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge held in Auckland last weekend.
Students competed in teams and were asked to develop a market entry strategy plan to launch an apple-based product into Australia.
Business proposals included an apple-based surf wax, a two-in-one cream that is a sunscreen and insect repellent, an apple butter that is ideal for allergy sufferers, an organic apple toothpaste that acts as a natural bleach with vitamin C, an apple root stock that is a pre-grown quality apple root system designed to support a multitude of stone and pip fruit, and a supplement made from apple skins that has huge health benefits claiming you will live 10 years longer.
Loren's team members voted her through to the semifinal stage and the judges later selected her as one of the six to represent New Zealand in Hong Kong in August.
Loren is in her final year at school and is taking an economics paper through the University of Waikato. She has never been to Hong Kong and is excited about the trip.