Barista students tame lions

Northland College hospitality students have proved they have what it takes to run a business.

Northland College's hospitality students have put their skills to the test and scooped up some awards, proving they have what it takes to run a business.

Northland College's Hub (hospitality trade) baristas are part of the Lion Foundations Young Enterprise Scheme, in which they run their own business for a year.

The team, which includes 11 Year 12-13 students (10 girls and one boy), originally took out 5th place at the YES Northland Lions' Den Oral Presentations in Kerikeri on June 16.

The group then competed in Whangarei at the Northland Youth Development Trust Award for Best Lions' Den Oral Presentation on June 25.

The team were "shocked" to find out they had won 1st place at the competition.

Hospitality tutor Robbie Nicholas said he couldn't be happier with the results.

"It was magic. When it happened I had to listen again. I was in shock," he said.

"[The students] were very happy. They all looked at me. Almost a tear dropped out of my eye. I was really proud of them."

Mr Nicholas said the students "did a very professional job". They put in a lot of hard work and really deserved to win. Some of the girls had stayed behind after hours because they were very passionate about it and wanted to perfect the powerpoint.

"They had to put a business plan together, decide what they would sell, do the margins at the end, get supplies and suppliers," said Mr Nicholas. Winning the awards added to the students' positive achievements happening at Northland College.

"I'm very proud of them, and so is the whole college."

The students put in all the hard work and time, while Mr Nicholas was there to supervise them and be their "taxi driver".