Sweet success for students

Te Puni Kokiri CEO Michelle Hippolite

Three Northland College students have scooped one of the top accolades at the National Awards for the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

KTNT from Northland College won the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Award for Rangatahi Entrepreneurs. The award recognised the highest achieving Young Enterprise team whose members are of Maori descent. The award came with a cash prize of $1000.

KTNT created a manuka honey nut brittle, which was made using local ingredients and promoted the Hokianga. Honey was sourced from Northland College's own farm.

The three students involved with KTNT were Kiani Pou, Nathan Tarawa and Te Awhina Kopa.

The team also received support from teacher Jenni Edwards and many members of the local community.

Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin said KTNT members were deserved winners. "Throughout their business year, KTNT maintained a strong focus on manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. Supporting their community was a critical element of their success and they have achieved their business and cultural goals.

The award was presented by Te Puni Kokiri CEO Michelle Hippolite.

The award is jointly sponsored by Careers NZ, the Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA), NZ Maori Tourism, Te Ohu Kaimoana, Te Puni Kokiri and Te Tumu Paeroa.

More than 2500 students from 200 schools took part in the programme in 2014.