Students awarded for taking leadership role

Sir Peter Blake's legacy lives on the leadership qualities found in 16 Northland students.

The Sir Peter Blake Young Leadership awards have been presented to students for showing leadership within their school and community.

Westpac Bank is the primary sponsor of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, and Whangarei manager Aaron Hooper presented the Whangarei students with their awards.

"These young students are the future generation of New Zealand leaders," Mr Hooper said.

"It's important we recognise and acknowledge what they have done to achieve a Young Leader Award and hopefully it will encourage and inspire their friends and peers to see what great leadership looks like so they can do the same."

The awards were handed out to all the winning young leaders over Leadership Week, July 5-12.

Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive, Shelley Campbell, said Sir Peter, through his own achievements and leadership, inspired all New Zealanders to dare to dream and to have the drive and determination to make their dreams a reality.

"Through its programmes and activities, the Trust aims to inspire and mobilise the next generation of New Zealand leaders to realise their goals and dreams too. The Young Leader Awards are a great way to recognise and build confidence in our young people, and show them that they're on the right track, so that they may one day go on to be a future New Zealand leader," she said.

Year 8 student at Kamo Intermediate Olivia Crum was presented with her award at a special school assembly.

Olivia, 12, is a student representative, a co-captain of a hockey team, and was the top academic girl for her year in 2012.

Olivia said the award came as a surprise to her, and her friends were proud of her for winning.

The winners from across Northland are: Hannah Cant, Otamatea Christian School; Olivia Crum, Kamo Intermediate; John Alec Grbich, Broadwood Area School; Courtney Hammond, Ahipara School; Jessie Henwood, Karetu School; Selena Janout, Pakotai School; Trinity Lloyd-Takimoana, Paihia Primary School; Jaymee Makiha, Waima School; Peter Muller, Whananaki School; Amy Ogilvy-Hickey, Tauraroa Area School; Tori Porter, Tangiteroria School; Zak Procter, Te Kura o Hata Maria; Amyee Sheppard, Maungaturoto Primary School; Kayla Marie Sinclair, Matarau School; Marutuahu Takerei, Taipa Area School; and Cameron Taylor, Pompallier Catholic College.