Horouta YES pair inspired by scholarship experiences

DOING BUSINESS: Te Aturangi Peters and Maikel Terekia, directors in Young Enterprise Scheme company Tirama, are already applying what they learned through scholarship experiences. Picture by Paul Rickard

Two Tairāwhiti rangatahi involved in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) have returned inspired after completing separate scholarships.

TKKM o Horouta Wananga students Te Aturangi Peters and Maikel Terekia, are involved in YES company Tirama, which aims to reconnect Ngāti Porou youth around the world back to their whakapapa through a purpose-built app.

Te Aturangi successfully applied for a BLAKE Inspire scholarship, a week-long residential leadership development programme in Waikato run in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment.

Throughout the week, Te Aturangi worked with scientists, environmental experts, a diverse range of leaders and other like-minded students to help develop strong leadership skills while learning about topical environmental issues.

Te Aturangi said a highlight of his all-expenses paid trip was the opportunity to pitch his opinions to an expert panel about the direct effects of climate change on Tairawhiti youth.

“Throughout my experience within the Blake Inspire expo I have gained more confidence as a leader and am now more confident to share whakaaro Māori within a group or business venture.

“I look forward to taking more of a leadership role with my own YES business, Tirama.”

Maikel Terekia, a fellow company director with Te Aturangi, was also successful in gaining a place on BizVenture China, a programme delivered by the Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence in Auckland.

Maikel experienced Chinese culture and tradition, including language classes, cuisine and martial arts, as well as a visit to the Auckland-based Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple

After a visit to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and learning about entering the Chinese market, Maikel said the experience opened his eyes to the many business and trade opportunities for youth in Te Tairāwhiti.

“The experience allowed me to socially interact with many different kinds of people and learn different perspectives of how the business world works and how I might apply this to my own business.

“I’d love to visit China one day.”

On returning home, both young men have made full use of their experiences as they continue to run their company.