Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars
Name | Sport/Art | Degree |
---|---|---|
Hayatt Al Joborry | Music - Performance Voice | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Ellesse Andrews | Track Cycling | Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS) |
Atera Apirana | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(HONS)) |
Mereana Atatoa-Carr | Touch Rugby | Bachelor of Science (BSC) |
Kelcy Ballantyne | Senior Leader Scholarship (Basketball) | Master of Digital Business (MDigiBus) |
Josh Bartlett | Rugby Union | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Morgan Beere | Equestrian | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Daniel Brown | Canoe Racing | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Emma Brownlie | Canoe Racing | Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) |
Brooke Carter | Rowing | Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (BBus/LLB) |
Temwa Chileshe | Squash | Bachelor of Science (BSC) |
Nick Collier | Canoe Slalom | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Daniel Cossey | Taekwon-do | Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSC(TECH)) |
Ella Coulton | Theatre | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Rico D'Anvers | BMX | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Sajith Dhambagolla | Cricket | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Daniel Dobson | Basketball | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Sebastian Douthett | Māori Performing Arts | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Georgie Edgecombe | Netball | Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS) |
Luka Ellery | Rowing | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) |
Joey Field | Cricket | Bachelor of Health Sport & Human Performance |
Emma Findlay | Hockey | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Emelia Forsyth | Equestrian | Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(HONS)) |
Majenta Gaffar | Theatre | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Lucy Golebiowski | Dance | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Bennett Greenough | BMX Racing | Bachelor of Business with Honours (BBus(Hons)) |
Celia Griffiths | Music - Violin | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Ruameto Hamiora | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Chase Hennessey | Karate | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Emma Jones | Music - Vocal Performance | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Maia Karena-Barrett | Netball | Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (BBus/LLB) |
Tia Katipo | Music | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Jack Keepa | Surf Lifesaving, Swimming | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Taha Kemara | Rugby Union | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Michaela Kerr | Cycling | Master of Engineering (ME) |
Kayley Knight | Cricket | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Hannah Knighton | Triathlon | Master of Health, Sport and Human Performance (MHSHP) |
Kaio Lart | Track Cycling | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Hamish Legarth | Canoe Racing | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Melika Lolaki | Screen & Media/Film making | Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSC) |
De Vhante Marsters-Herewini | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Lisa Mather | Netball | BBS (BBus Strategic Management) |
Poroaki McDonald | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Jack McGarvie | Musical Theatre | Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) |
Jack McManaway | Volleyball | Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (BBus/LLB) |
Cole McOnie | BMX Racing | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Charli Miller | Athletics | Bachelor of Teaching (BTCHG) |
Sarah Miller | Swimming | Bachelor of Science (BSC) |
Ruby Moetara | Dance | Bachelor of Teaching (BTCHG) |
Fletcher Moles | Canoe Racing & Surf Life Saving | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Nathan Parkes | Cricket | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Claudia Paterson | Canoe Slalom | Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(HONS)) |
Kendra Peart-Anderson | Hockey | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Stefenie Pickston | Clarinet | Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) BMus/BSc |
Ben Pomare | Cricket | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Caitlin Pringle | Netball | Bachelor of Social Sciences/Bachelor of Laws (BSOCSC/LLB) |
Te Ara Pounamu Pukeroa | Music - Composition | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Isabella Reid | Music - Voice | Bachelor of Music (BMUS) |
Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead | Rugby | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Georgia Robcke | Squash | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Charlie Roil | Athletics | Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(HONS)) |
Sian Scragg | Dance | Bachelor of Teaching (BTCHG) |
Halle Scurrah | Hockey | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Nicole Shields | Cycling | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
David Simes | Sir Edmund Hillary Senior Leader Scholarship | Master of Arts (MA) |
Liam Singer | Karate | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(HONS)) |
Ava Smith | Surf life saving | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Joe Smythe | Squash | Bachelor of Business with Honours (BBus(Hons)) |
Manaia Sorensen | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Ngarangikamaea Stewart | Māori Creative and Performing Arts | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Caleb Te Rire | Theatre | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Maikel Tuala | Rugby Union | Bachelor of Science (BSC) |
Cheyenne Walmsley | Screen & Media | Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSC) |
Manaia Lewis-Wano | Māori Creative & Performing Arts | Bachelor of Business (BBus) |
Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai | Rugby | Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Management Studies (BA/BMS) |
Evan Williams | Rowing | Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) |
Anna Wilson | Equestrian | Bachelor of Science (BSC) |
Jaimee Wilson | Canoe Slalom | Bachelor of Environmental Planning (BEP) |
Ally Wollaston | Cycling | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Hayatt Al Joborry

The former Macleans College student has been involved in classical singing for four years and says it allows her to communicate and express herself in a way that can't be done through speaking.
She practices between five and 15 hours a week, depending on the recitals she has coming up and has been involved in performances from The Big Sing Finale, between 2016 and 2019, the Barbershop Nationals in 2017 and 2018 and performed in the Arohanui Concert with Dilworth Choir last year.
Hayatt also made the New Zealand Secondary School Choir to tour New Zealand and Germany in 2019 and 2020.
She says maintaining a healthy body, mind and voice and always singing correctly to ensure a healthy voice are some of the biggest challenges she faces, along with learning new techniques and constantly finding ways to improve her singing.
Hayatt was Deputy Head Girl of Macleans College and choir leader of the college chorale last year.
Her goal is to one day perform professionally and do some teaching, however, Hayatt is also very keen to return to her studies to pursue Science alongside post-graduate music studies. Hayatt is now in her third and final year of her Bachelor of Music in Performance Classical Voice.
Ellesse Andrews

Ellesse has competed in many national and international races, including the 2016/2017 Junior World Championships, the Dynamo, and the Calder Stewart series. In 2017, Ellesse won gold at the Junior World Championships, setting a new junior world record in the women's individual pursuit. She won multiple golds at the 2017 New Zealand national track championships and the 2017 club road nationals, as well as winning the 2017 Waikato and New Zealand secondary schools' sportswoman of the year titles.
Ellesse is in her first year of a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in psychology. She says she chose the University of Waikato for its strong reputation with student elite athletes. Ellesse's ultimate dream is to stand on the Olympic podium.
Atera Apirana

Performing from an early age, kapa haka has since allowed her to represent her people and her culture all over the world. From Portugal, where she participated in the 2016 Folk Cantanhede alongside other countries such as Bolivia, Timor Leste, South Africa, to China where she performed with a small group for New Zealand Week. Most recently Atera travelled to Japan in 2019 where her kapa haka group supported Te Puia.
"I love meeting new whanau and making life-long friends. I love the memories that are created during each kapa haka campaign. We can also share messages and challenges that inspire us to grow as a people and be proud as Māori ambassadors," says Atera.
Ahead of each competition there is a rigorous training schedule of up to seven days a week as they get close to competition day.
The former Rotorua Girls' High School head prefect was also named Rotorua Young Achiever and Rotorua Girls' High School Top Scholar in 2019. In the past 12 months she has also been awarded Female Leader Winner for her kapa haka with Raukura. Female Leader Winner with Ngati Te Rangiunuora. Ruakura were also named regional winners, while her gorup Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, were named Top 9 National Team.
Atera wants to pursue marketing and indigenous studies so she can travel the world sharing Maori culture and inspiring other indigenous people. She will start a Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours, Double Majoring in Marketing and Maori Indigenous Studies this year.
"My dream is to travel the world sharing our culture. I aim to inspire other indigenous people to be strong in their identity, stand steadfast to their language, protocols, traditions and encourage their future generations to be brave, bold and autonomous," says Atera.
Mereana Atatoa-Carr

The former Hillcrest High School student will start a Bachelor of Science majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity at the University of Waikato this year, alongside continuing to play touch rugby.
Mereana has been playing touch rugby since she was eight and says she has always known the sport because her father inspired her to start after she watched him playing touch.
She has played in the national touch competition three times and recently travelled to Australia for the Trans-Tasman competition, playing for New Zealand Under 18 Girls' team.
"Running onto the field representing New Zealand was definitely one of my greatest achievements so far," says Mereana.
She trains three times a week and says coming back from injuries is one of the most challenging things she faces.
He goal is to one day be a Touch Black and aims to become a marine biologist once she completes her studies.
Kelcy Ballantyne

Josh Bartlett

Josh is not only dedicated to his sport, but also to his studies. At Tauranga Boys' College he was Deputy Head Boy, Board of Trustees' student representative and St Luke's Youth teacher. Josh is excited to undergo his studies so he can fulfill his future aspirations of becoming a man who serves others through his degree and sport.
Morgan Beere

The former Hillcrest High School student will start a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours at the University of Waikato this year.
She says she started riding when she was two and competed in her first Horse of the Year show at age 9.
"I enjoy the challenge of working with a horse, the constant pursuit for improvement and the satisfaction of achieving goals," says Morgan.
She was selected for a National Performance Squad for the 2019-2020 season and was previously selected onto the 2016-2017 National Pony Squad. Morgan was also named in the New Zealand Under 25 Talent ID Squad for the 2017-2018 season.
During her riding career she has amassed numerous championships wins and young horse titles at premier league events. Morgan won the FEI World Dressage Junior Challenge in 2014 and 2016 and won the 2016 National Pony Series and in 2019. She also won the 2019, six-year-old, Horse of the Year.
Morgan was a house captain at Hillcrest High School and played in the schools' Lacrosse Team.
"I chose to study at the University of Waikato because of the supportive environment that the Hillary Programme provides where I can continue to pursue my sport and gain a degree in the process," says Morgan.
Daniel Brown

Daniel's been kayaking for nearly five years and has won many national titles and earned selection for many New Zealand age group teams. Most recently he was selected for the New Zealand U18 team to compete at the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships (surf ski) in Spain, the NZ U18 team to compete at the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Romania, the NZ U18 team to compete at the Junior World Championships (kayak sprint) in Portugal, and the NZ U18 team to compete at the 2021 Asia Pacific Sprint Regatta in Japan. All those selections, but the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to competing at any of them.
Long term, Daniel would like to make Open national teams to continue to represent New Zealand. In his spare time, he's a volunteer surf lifeguard and likes to go surfing, fishing, diving and playing golf.
Emma Brownlie

From 2019-, Emma has been named in the NZ junior development team to race at the Asia Pacific Sprint Cup. In 2020 and 2021, she was selected in the U18 team, set to travel to Brandenburg, Germany, and Montemor-O-Velho, Portugal, for the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships.
While Emma was at Gisborne Girls High School, she was the Sports Prefect, co-captain of the First XI Football team and head of the school sports council. She is a volunteer surf lifeguard at Waikanae Surf Life-Saving Club in Gisborne. Emma aspires to one day represent NZ in her sport, once she has completed her BMS.
Brooke Carter

Brooke has been rowing for five seasons, formerly for Waikato Diocesan School for Girls and now with the Waikato Rowing Club. She has 10 North Island secondary school medals and three national titles. She was selected to trial for the national U19 rowing team in 2021 and is now recognised as an athlete on the RowingNZ National Pathway. She has set her sights on making the New Zealand representative teams.
She enjoys the constant learning and development the sport necessitates in order to keep progressing towards her goals. This involves at least nine squad training sessions each week with additional strength and conditioning sessions.
As a student at Dio, Brooke spent time on the Sports Council, Student Council, and was selected as the student representative on the Board of Trustees. She was rowing captain as well as head girl in her final year. She also earned the Kiwisport Leadership Award and the Altrusa Award during her time at school. A driven student, she received excellence endorsements for each level of NCEA and was recognised as one of the top four academic achievers in her year.
Temwa Chileshe

Nick Collier

The former Dunstan High School prefect from Alexandra has competed nationally and internationally, but the 2021 season was a standout for him, placing first in the U18s and overall at the South Island champs, second U18 and fourth overall at the North Island champs, third U18 at the New Zealand Open, 7th overall at Oceania champs, first U18 at the New Zealand national secondary schools, first U18 and 4th overall at the New Zealand nationals and he was selected to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Championships in Slovenia.
Nick will be studying towards a Bachelor of Business at the University of Waikato and keeping up his training of up to 12 hours a week.
Alongside canoe slalom, Nick also competes in canoe freestyle, canoe polo and extreme slalom. In 2020 he placed second in the U18 freestyle at the Australian Open â a highlight of his sporting career so far. He was recently selected for the New Zealand U18 B canoe polo team and is also the U18 national secondary school extreme slalom champion.
Daniel Cossey

Ella Coulton

Ella has performed in more than 10 stage shows, playing notable characters such as the pouty Amber Von-Tussle in Hairspray jr. and the quirky grandma in The Addams Family jr. She has taken drama throughout her secondary school years and was awarded top senior drama student three years in a row.
She's also been a member of Dance Project Taranaki, but her career highlight to date was playing the lead role of Alex in the short film produced by Holly Shanahan called "Zero Hour". Now, alongside the stage, she's fallen in love with the camera.
At Waikato, Ella's looking forward to gaining more experience within the film and screen industry and learning more about aspects of acting in that industry sector, as well as staying true to her on-stage theatre and dance roots. Some day she hopes to inspire others through performing arts, whether that's teaching in secondary schools or being part of the theatre and screen industry.
Rico D'Anvers

The former St Paul's Collegiate student who started BMX as a five-year-old, is tackling his third year of Civil Engineering with Honours at the University of Waikato, keeping his studies local so he can continue his sport.
Rico says he loves the challenge of working out how to get an edge on his competitors, doing big jumps, and the tightly packed racing offered by BMX. Rico typically trains eight plus times a week across the gym, the BMX track and doing road sprints.
2019 brought many highlights for Rico's BMX career including winning the North Island titles, International C1 race in Rotorua, and placing 14th the World Championships in Belgium, all in the Junior Elite men age category. Along with being nominated by his school peers as the male recipient of the Great Oaks Award at St Paul's Collegiate. In 2022, Rico enters his third year in the Elite men age which is UCI 19 and up. Rico is the current North Island champion is Elite men which he holds back to back North Island titles from 2019 and 2020. Placing 2nd at the 2020 and 2021 National Championships in this age was a great achievement, says Rico. However, in 2022 Rico plans to increase this position to become National Champion in the U23 men category. Fortunately, Rico was able to attend two UCI BMX Supercross rounds in Australia during 2020, which gave him a taste of how high the level in BMX is and the commitment that world class athletes make to their sport.
Having the opportunity to coach younger kids is something Rico sees great benefit in. Knowing the targets that kids need to hit to achieve their goals instills trust into them and makes coaching really enjoyable. Rico has done various types of coaching over the years but now coaches for MCRA; New Zealand most renown BMX coaching academy.
Originally from Morrinsville, Rico was a sporting and environmental full school prefect at St Paul's Collegiate School in Hamilton. He also plays guitar, tinkers with cars and enjoys social table tennis when time allows. He says he wants to take his BMX career as far as possible, ideally reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, then pursue civil engineering and continue sport of some code.
Sajith Dhambagolla

Daniel Dobson

Daniel's been representing his province in basketball since 2016. He was a key player in the U17 Waikato team that took out the national title in 2020.
While at school he was also a prefect, a house captain and served on the Leadership Committee. He has also served his church as a youth leader.
He's studying for a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with Honours, and if all goes according to plan he hopes to become a chartered engineer and continue working for Schick Civil Construction where he's had holiday jobs and where he currently works as an intern while he studies.
Sebastian Douthett

Throughout his career, Sebastian has been fortunate enough to travel around the world, including Spain, Portugal, Japan and China, as a cultural ambassador promoting New Zealand tourism. His future aspiration is to start a business that showcases Māori culture to the world.
Georgie Edgecombe

Luka Ellery

Joey Field

Emma Findlay

She captained the U18 Hawke's Bay hockey team, which led to her selection in the New Zealand U18 national squad and, switching codes, she was named in the 2021 Central Districts Hinds performance squad and is a regular member of the Hawke's Bay senior women's cricket team. Emma enjoys both the mental and physical challenges that are associated with all aspects of hockey and cricket including training and preparation.
She was Taradale High School's deputy-head girl and has been involved in leadership groups such as the first New Zealand Secondary School's Athlete Commission and various youth councils.
Emma is studying for a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance double majoring in Human Performance Science and Sports Development and Coaching. She's coming back from injury, looking forward to getting back on the turf, growing her hockey skills alongside her academic learning, and enjoying meeting like minded people. Her main sporting goal is to follow in her brother's footsteps and play for the national team â the Black Sticks.
Emelia Forsyth

Majenta Gaffar

The former Waiuku College student, who will major in Theatre Studies and minor in Dance at the University of Waikato this year, says she enjoys the fact theatre allows her to express herself.
"I enjoy the fact that I am able to embody a different character and see life through their eyes because it helps me understand and relate to different types of people in society," says Majenta.
She has performed in the National Stage Challenge each year between 2015 and 2017 and last year she was in the group which won the national ShowQuest and received the national choreography excellence award and excellence in lighting.
The ShowQuest dance was subsequently made into a distracted driving campaign for the New Zealand Police.
Majenta who was a school prefect, on the Maori student council and a house captain at Waiuku College, was also nominated for best lead female for her role in the play Pohutukawa tree.
She performs in around three to four shows each year and practices weekly. Majenta hopes to eventually teach theatre and dance in secondary schools around New Zealand.
Lucy Golebiowski

The Taupo-Nui-a-Tai college student will start a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance, majoring in Human Performance Science, at the University of Waikato this year.
Lucy started dancing at the age of six, inspired by her older sister after seeing the happiness it brought her.
"When I was six, I trialled my first jazz class. From there, my passion for dance grew. I later started attending regular ballet and contemporary classes to add to my jazz class. I started competing at age 11 and have been dancing ever since."
Lucy, who is also a dance teacher, says dance has provided opportunities to be her own person and she enjoys giving others the opportunity to develop their own confidence through dance.
She says her greatest achievements to date include winning a nomination to compete as a soloist at the National Young Performer Awards (PACANZ). Gaining 100 per cent in her AJDA Solo Seal exam and distinction in all her AJDA Jazz exams. She also trained and passed her AJDA Junior Jazz Teaching Certificate (while studying NCEA Level 1).
Alongside dancing almost every day, either taking classes in jazz, ballet and contemporary or her own practice, Lucy also keeps fit by running, biking, going to the gym and playing badminton.
Lucy plans to be a secondary school teacher, teaching physical education and dance.
"I want to not only share my passion for sport, health and well-being but to motivate and inspire others to find their passion and to reach their personal best."
Alongside her studies she will continue to teach dance in Hamilton and give time to students at Taupo-Nui-a-Tai as they prepare to compete at the DanceNZmade Regionals.
Bennett Greenough

He's been racing for 13 years, seven of those while he attended St Peter's School in Cambridge. He was a prefect in his final year, and a mentor to a handful of younger students. As a senior rider at his Cambridge BMX Club, he's volunteered "countless hours" and is currently a coach and riders' advocate on the club committee. Bennett has also been able to share his passion for BMX in the Cambridge community by doing school visits to promote the sport and inspiring kids to give it a go.
Bennett achieved Top Subject prizes for PE and Business Studies in his final year at school. Now he's studying for a Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours and living in College Hall. In 2022, he'd like to achieve multiple BMX World Cup finals in the U23 class, as well as compete and make the final at the BMX World Champs as an U23. In 2023 and beyond, he'd like to make a smooth transition into the Elite Class and make his way to the pinnacle event in BMX â the Olympics.
Celia Griffiths

Ruameto Hamiora

When kapa haka season starts Ruameto spends up to 14 hours every weekend training and says the knowledge he has learned, and the memories made over his 18 years in kapa haka are irreplaceable.
He has attended multiple secondary schools kapa haka competitions, regional and national championships, along with Polyfest and the Aotearoa festival in Australia.
Ruameto says his biggest achievements to date are traveling overseas to represent his culture and being in the winning team for the 2018 Secondary School Kapa Haka Nationals where they earnt the title of back-to-back champions. The first group to ever achieve this.
Ruameto who was a school prefect, will continue his kapa haka while studying Maori and a Bachelor of Marketing at the University of Waikato.
His long-term goal is to continue to be heavily involved in Maori Performing Arts and return to Rotorua and work at the Te Puia Arts and Crafts Institute.
Chase Hennessey

It was a good decision for the former St John's College student who ranked fifth in the world for his age and weight division for karate, in 2019.
Chase will study engineering at the University of Waikato and continue training up to 14-and-a-half hours per week for the sport he loves.
During his karate career he has attended the Junior World Championship, Oceania Championship, New Zealand Karate Nationals, the Karate Commonwealth games and the Youth Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
He counts his greatest achievements as being New Zealand National Champion for his age and weight for the past six years in a row, being a two-time Oceania Champion and his world ranking of fifth last year, for his age and weight division. Outside of karate, Chase was a school sports leader, school prefect, played basketball and is also involved in athletics.
Chase hopes to one day win a medal at the world karate championships and eventually become a secondary schools' coach.
Emma Jones

Emma started her career in music when she was eight years old by performing in the Southland Christmas Concert and various other community events. She has performed for various people including former Prime Minister Sir John Key, Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Jonathan Lemalu and Suzanne Prentice. Emma was also in the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir that toured around New Zealand performing with internationally renowned artists including Simon O'Neill.
Emma was the captain for her school choir, SGHS Femme, for two years and was the section leader for three years. During this time her choir won three local performance cups and earned a place at the NZCF Big Sing Finale, where they won silver and bronze awards.
In 2021, Emma attained a 1st placing and three Very Highly Commended placings at the SAPAC's (Auckland) Singing Competitions and a University of Waikato Blues Award. Emma plans on completing a postgraduate degree after she completes her bachelor's degree and aspires to perform nationally and teach others who share her passion.
Maia Karena-Barrett

Outside of school Maia has played netball regionally, nationally and internationally. She's competed in various teams including the Waikato NNL squad for 2021, the International Secondary School Netball team, the Aotearoa Māori Secondary School team, the New Zealand Secondary School Development camp and she's currently involved in the New Zealand U21 Emerging Talent selection camp. The highlight of her sporting career has been representing New Zealand in the International School Girls Netball competition. Her team had a nail-biting final against Australia, winning by one point.
Tia Katipo

Tia Katipo is a singer who has two passions â operatic music and kapa haka, and she's succeeding at both. Tia grew up in the Waikato, started vocal lessons when she was 10, and for all five years of her secondary schooling at Hamilton Girls' High School she sang in the school choir, barbershop chorus and the kapa haka rÅpÅ« Te Maurea Whiritoi.
In 2020 Tia auditioned for the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir gaining a place in the 2021â2022 cycle. Currently they're working with American choral composer Eric Whittaker and
rehearsing for a concert in Tasmania.
In 2021 Tia completed the University's Unistart programme and saw how supportive and nurturing the teachers were and how much of a great Māori community the University had. That confirmed her decision to study for a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Music and a minor in Te Reo Māori.
She finds one of the hardest things about being a classical singer is being able to blend the musical knowledge she has into her knowledge of Te Ao Māori. Amazing support from her whānau, kapa haka tutors and her singing teachers has helped Tia to walk in both worlds with confidence and at the same time has helped strengthen her knowledge of both Te Ao Māori and the music world.
Her goal is to carve a path for Māori rangatahi and tamariki who want to become professional musicians, or who just have a passion for music, to follow their dreams and let them know that it is a career choice open to them.
Jack Keepa

He trains between 12 and 15 times a week, sometimes three times a day, to achieve his goals and develop in all aspects as an athlete. Competition was severely disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic, but he still managed to win the U16 Ironman at the 2020 nationals in Gisborne.
Jack says studying at the University of Waikato is the best possible fit for him as he can continue his training regime out of Mount Maunganui while studying at the University's Tauranga campus. He's studying for a Bachelor of Business double majoring in Finance and Strategic Management.
He was deputy head prefect at Gisborne Boys and sees his career being in a key leadership role in the realm of business. On the sporting front Jack's ultimate goals are to qualify for the Nutra-Grain IronMan Professional series in Australia and win a world surf lifesaving title.
Taha Kemara

The University of Waikato was a natural choice for Taha as he knew he'd be well supported academically and as he chased his sporting ambitions. He's studying for a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance.
The first five-eighth can also play fullback when called upon and says one of the reasons he loves the game is the friendships that are created with others in the team, working hard to achieve a common goal. He currently trains up to seven times a week, depending on his commitments around the Waikato Rugby Union's Academy programme, club rugby and the Chiefs U20s.
Taha's competed in numerous national competitions for rugby, sevens and touch, and a career highlight was being selected for the 2021 New Zealand secondary schools' team (that sadly couldn't play because of Covid). At HBHS, he was a prefect and sports captain, captain of the first XV and the premier touch and sevens sides. He won the James Hook Trophy for outstanding goal kicking and the Ballymore Ball for Leadership.
As a rugby player, his big challenge is to back up the physicality of training and games every week while keeping a healthy body. Long-term he's hoping to develop his skills as a rugby player and become professional, and he'd also like to be a personal trainer and own his own gym some day.
Michaela Kerr

She completed a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, majoring in Software Engineering with First class, in 2020, completed a semester abroad at Cardiff University in Wales in 2019, trekked to Nepal in 2020, and is now studying for a Masters in Engineering part time, while working as a software engineer for Transpower in Wellington. .
Kayley Knight

Kayley's inspiration to play cricket came largely from her family, particularly her mum who played for ND, which made her Kayley's hero. Kayley really enjoys the tactical side of the game; there's not many sports that require it like cricket does, she says, and your mental game is just as important as your physical.
Cricket takes up most of her time between September and April each season, with up to 15 hours training each week and at least five hours in games. She's also a keen footballer, turning out for Gisborne United, she volunteers as a football referee, and cricket umpire.
Kayley is studying for a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Performance majoring in Human Performance Science at the University's Tauranga campus while continuing to play for ND. Tauranga's a perfect fit for Kayley providing good facilities and coaches and it's not too far from home.
Hannah Knighton

Hannah thrives on a challenge and loves that triathlons allow her to compete at three sports at once. She has competed across New Zealand in swimming, cycling, cross country, and triathlon events. Over the past few years, she has also competed for New Zealand as a Junior Elite athlete at multiple triathlon events around the world.
Each week, Hannah combines swimming, cycling, running, stretching and strength work to create an intensive training programme. Her ultimate goal is to win gold at the Olympics, and she hopes to work in high performance sport one day.
Kaio Lart

Twelve years on and he still loves every bit of it and has enjoyed plenty of success â five national titles, four national records, one Oceania record, and he's twice been selected in the national team to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Championships (both canceled due to Covid). Kaio was named Nelson/Tasman Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2021.
Kaio was the head boy at Nelson College and has spent countless hours teaching kids from all over the region how to ride track at Nelson's Saxton Velodrome.
He's studying Mechatronics Engineering at Waikato and with Grassroots Trust Velodrome just down the road in Cambridge is keen to see what he can achieve on the track.
His dream is to stand on an Olympic podium and inspire some Kiwi kids to go out and chase their dreams.
Hamish Legarth

Hamish has attended several national and international competitions, including the Junior World Championships in Belarus and Romania, placing 15th in 2017. He was named the 2017 team leader of the Junior Men's Team, winning gold in the K2 1000m at the Oceania Championships.
A true all-rounder, Hamish also captained the Havelock North High School 1st XI Hockey team, and has been involved with surf lifesaving, canoe polo and orienteering. He was Havelock North High School deputy head of house, Jarrod Cunningham Sports Academy Ambassador, and a tutor for his school academic committee.
Hamish is in his first year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), and hopes to become a registered engineer when he graduates. In the future, Hamish aspires to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
Melika Lolaki

With a camera in hand she started directing and making short films with her friends in her backyard as an eight-year-old.
Now the former Hamilton Girls' High School student will start a conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in screen and media and computer science at the University of Waikato.
"I enjoy the creative process and I like that film is a potent medium to portray and delve into universal truths and challenge the status quo if need be," says Melika.
In 2018 she was awarded the Kearns Cup, which is awarded to the top English student in Year 12 and in 2019 she was awarded the Dave Hewitt Senior English Cup which is awarded to the top English student in Year 13.
Melika studied level 3 Media Studies as a Year 12 student and created a short film which received an excellence grade. In 2019 she sat the NZQA Scholarship Media Studies paper and was awarded the paper at scholarship level.
She was both Deputy Head Girl and Academic Council Captain at Hamilton Girls' High School where she also launched the school's first ever student magazine called Lionheart.
"Its creation gave rise to a platform through which students can express their opinions and thoughts, whether it be through critical reviews, poetry, opinion pieces or short stories," says Melika.
Her role on student council also saw her organise the school Academic Quiz as well as STEAM (Science Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Week and SLEAK (Social Sciences, Languages, Art and Ka Awatea) week.
Melika has been involved in the school debating team from 2017 to 2019 and been a semi-finalist twice in the Waikato Secondary Schools' Debating Competition and once in the New Zealand Schools' Waikato Regional Debating Competition.
She was also a member of the Hamilton Girls' High School Philosothon team who claimed the first in the Waikato Regional Competition in 2019.
"In the future, I aspire to become a director who creates films which inspire and captivates audiences," says Melika.
De Vhante Marsters-Herewini

Devhante attended Western Springs College in Auckland and could spend up to 44 hours a week practising with her kapa during the Polyfest campaigns. Her favourite performances are the whakangahau (entertainment) because they are always conducted with aroha and manaakitanga.
She assisted with the translation and recording of a segment from The Edge's cover of Stan Walker's Take It Easy. Being involved in the Pao Movement, (a kaupapa-driven platform that links emerging and established Māori musicians) working with other Māori artists like Maisey Rika and Rob Ruha and learning more about the music industry, have been highlights of her journey so far.
Devhante's studying for a Bachelor of Health, Sports, and Human Performance majoring in Human Performance and Māori and Indigenous studies and aims to intertwine the knowledge she learns from both majors to help other athletes to enhance in their athletic abilities, and also find a way for tamariki and rangatahi Māori to particpate in a physical activity whether that be kapa haka or being a bit more active. Another of her life goals is to establish a kapa, and compose a haka bracket for her hapÅ« to perform at Te Matatini.
Lisa Mather

Lisa was born and raised in Northland and embarked on her netball pathway when she left in 2017 for a netball scholarship at St Peters Cambridge. From 2017 she was a part of the U19 Hamilton City netball team, who won the national tournament, named Most Valuable Player at St Peter's Cambridge premiere team, was a reserve mid-court player for the 2017 NZSS Netball Squad and was a part of the Beko Netball League. In 2018 she was offered an opportunity as Magic training partner which lead to a full player's contract in 2019. 2020 looks at little bit different as she still attempts to balance studying at the University of Waikato while playing for the Northern Stars based in South Auckland.
A multi-talented athlete, Lisa has also been involved with athletics, sevens, touch, volleyball, and gymnastics. She was vice-captain for her school premiere netball team and a gymnastics coach for her local club. She enjoys coaching and sharing her netball pathway in hope to inspire others from smaller regions.
Lisa hopes to use her business degree to be employed by well-recognised enterprise, with aspirations to eventually run her own business. Lisa aims to become a key player for the Northern Stars netball team in 2020 while maintaining a high academic standard building a solid foundation to be a great business manager.
Poroaki McDonald

You'll find Poroaki training as an athlete or practising for performance any spare moment he has. He says it's in his blood and it runs through his veins. He attended Te Wharekura o Mauao in Tauranga before moving to Manukura, a designated special character school based at Massey University in Palmerston North. He says coming to Waikato to study for his Bachelor of Arts seemed a natural choice.
Poroaki has competed in kapa haka and won a first place as a kaitātaki (leader), played in rep teams for rugby and basketball, and been a regular performer in the countrywide National Shakespeare Schools Production â one of 24 students chosen to go to the Globe Theatre in London.
He's appeared in a few movies, definitely a career highlight, but so too are the people he's met along the way as a kaitātaki and as an actor. He's challenged by the hard work that goes before every audition and as he works to perfect his craft and learn different accents. His sport helps him to keep healthy and fit.
Poroaki has been a part of a wānanga built for rangatahi who aspire to be performers, and aspire to be a face on the world stage, highlighting his culture, country, iwi and whānau.
Jack McGarvie

Jack is now in the first semester of his PhD in biochemistry studying antibiotic design against antibiotic resistant strains focusing on Neisseria gonorrhoeae under Doctor Joanna Hicks looking into the alterative sulphur acquisition pathway in bacteria using N. gonorrhoeae as a model. He has recently become a part of the Senior leadership cohort of the Hillary Scholars and am looking to leadership opportunities for the rest of this year and 2022.
Jack McManaway

Jack is not only a disciplined player, but also a disciplined student. He was the head prefect, lead in the school production and a Public Speaking Super Eight champion. His future aspiration after he finishes his studies is to find a job in mergers and acquisitions while playing volleyball in the New Zealand Volleyball League.
Cole McOnie

Charli Miller

While a student at St Peter's in Cambridge, she was a Sports Prefect and Cross Country captain. These roles gave her the opportunity to give back to her community and help create a positive and inclusive sport culture that all students benefited from. Charli chose to study at the University of Waikato because of its sense of community. She was inspired by the University's motto âKo Te Tangata'. After she completes her Bachelor of Teaching in Primary Education, Charli hopes to become a primary school teacher where she can continue creating positive and uplifting environments so her future students can feel safe and comfortable while they learn. She also aspires to be one of the top female middle distance runners in New Zealand and compete for the country internationally.
Sarah Miller

A self-described water baby she was first enrolled in swim club when she was eight, and now swims mainly long-distance freestyle, individual medley and butterfly. She also competes in lake, ocean and open water events across distances between 1km and up to 10km.
Sarah will start a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Waikato this year, alongside continuing her swimming which includes seven or eight two-hour pool sessions each week, three gym session and one yoga session.
Along with competing nationally and winning numerous medals, Sarah says her greatest achievements include being selected into the Swimming New Zealand Distance camp squad in 2019, breaking two Waikato records in the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle in 2018 and 2019 and being selected to represent New Zealand at Australian State Team Championship.
"Getting the opportunity to compete while wearing the silver fern with New Zealand's best age groups swimmers and coaches was amazing," says Sarah.
She says the most challenging thing about swimming is the early morning wake ups for a 5:30am start in the pool but she says it is all made worth it when she arrives and sees her teammates.
Sarah was a St Paul's Collegiate Swim Club captain, a learn to swim coach and has earned a Kiwisport Leadership Award through volunteering in a variety of different settings.
"The focus of my volunteer work has been to promote healthy and active communities. I have also helped at events such as Weetbix Tryathlon, netball games and timekeeping at swim meets," says Sarah.
Sarah wants to have a career that positively impacts the environment by helping to restore and maintain it for future generations to come. Her aspiration for swimming is to represent New Zealand on the world stage at an open age group event
Ruby Moetara

As a student at Hamilton Girls' High School, Ruby was awarded Top Māori Academic 2020, Senior Māori Leadership 2020, Principal's Award for Māori Excellence 2020 and the Rosemary Weatherhog Trophy for Head Girl 2020. On top of her schooling and dancing careers she taught her own junior dance class, passing on her love of dance to the next generation. This year Ruby will be studying a Bachelor of Teaching with hopes of becoming a primary school teacher and fostering creativity through education.
Fletcher Moles

The former New Plymouth Boys' High School student, who was head of sport, has been active in surf lifesaving since he was six and started canoe racing after trying to improve his technique for surf ski events.
"I joined the Waitara Kayak Club for extra coaching and here I discovered a real passion for paddling both on the flat water and in the ocean swell," says Fletcher.
He says surf lifesaving has taught him resilience and thinking on his feet in tough conditions and he enjoys the hard work that surrounds canoe racing and the opportunities it has given him.
Along with regularly competing in national surf lifesaving events Fletcher has also travelled extensively with both surf lifesaving and canoe racing. He attended the 2018 Asia Pacific Cup Canoe Racing Regatta, in Adelaide, Australia and the 2019 Asia Pacific Cup Canoe Racing Regatta at Karapiro, New Zealand. Fletcher also travelled to the 2019 Canoe Racing U18 Junior World Championship in Pitesti, Romania and then 2019 Surf Lifesaving Youth International Challenge in Durban, South Africa.
Fletcher has amassed a large collection of awards but says among his biggest achievements are making the New Zealand Junior Canoe Racing International team in 2018, for the Asia Pacific regatta where they won gold in the under 19, 4 x 200m relay and he won silver in the K1, 1000. He also won the under 19, 10km kayak champs in 2019. Fletcher also competed in the NZ Canoe Racing Nationals in 2019 winning silver in the K1 1000, Bronze in the K1, 200 and Bronze in the K2, 200. At the NZ Surf Lifesaving Nationals in 2019 he won bronze in the double ski, silver ski and gold in the ski relay.
"Attending the University of Waikato enables me to continue to pursue my competitive goals within canoe racing and surf lifesaving while also allowing me to attain a quality education in my chosen study," Fletcher says.
Nathan Parkes

Claudia Paterson

Claudia has had significant national and international success, qualifying for the semi-finals 2017 Junior World Championships in Slovakia. She came third in the U23 age group at the 2018 New Zealand Nationals and won the Under 18 age group at the Oceania Canoe Slalom Championships. She has more recently coached the NZ development squad at the NZ Open - enjoying passing on her expertise to younger paddlers.
Claudia has also been involved with the Tauranga City Council Youth Advisory Group, the Pinnacle Programme, and Duke of Edinburgh Programme. She also competes in surf lifesaving and participates in speech and drama. Claudia has volunteered with IHC for over six years, volunteers yearly in Queenstown as an adaptive skiing instructor and recently worked as a support worker over the summer.
Claudia recently finished a summer clerkship at a top-performing law firm in Tauranga. Her passion for law and advocacy was confirmed in the role and she is excited to start her career as a lawyer in 2023.
Kendra Peart-Anderson

Stefenie Pickston

Ben Pomare

The former Tauranga Boy's College student will study Health, Sport and Human Performance, majoring in Human Performance Science at the University of Waikato this year, while continuing his passion for cricket in the Northern District region.
Since starting the game as a five-year-old, he has attended the Under 19 Cricket World Cup, held this year in South Africa, attended the National Under 19 tournaments, been part of the Provincial A T20 tournament and made the New Zealand Under 19, Northern Districts A team. Benjamin was also his school's 1st 11, captain.
He says his biggest achievement to date was debuting for the New Zealand Under 19 team against Australia Under 19. Outside of cricket Benjamin was a house leader and part of a Bay of Plenty Men's leadership group.
He says he really enjoys the tactical side of cricket.
"There's not many sports that always require tactical thinking. In cricket you have to do that for the entire game."
Benjamin, who is a wicketkeeper and batsman, trains for up to 15 hours each week focussing on strength, conditioning and skills.
Caitlin Pringle

She started playing netball at a young age and quickly fell in love with the game. The teamwork and perseverance that's required to overcome challenges is what initially got her hooked, and now she trains upwards of eight times a week as she strives to achieve her goals. Over the years she has represented Tauranga at U15, U17 and U18 age-group nationals and in 2020 was selected into the Waikato Bay of Plenty U18 Zone team.
Outside of netball, Caitlin still finds time to volunteer as a surf lifeguard where she's also had regional and national success in surf lifesaving competitions, enjoying the community environment she finds in that sport. Wherever life takes her, Caitlin is committed to giving back to her community through her academic qualifications and sporting activities.
Te Ara Pounamu Pukeroa

Recently, Pounamu has been awarded first place at the 2020 regional Smokefree Tangata Beats and second place in the national Smokefree Tangata Beats competitions, first place at the 2020 Smokefree Rockquest Regionals, second equal at the 2020 Group Song Te Manu Tito Waiata Songwriting Competition, named the 2020 Rotorua Boys High School Senior Vocal Champion and awarded first in Music. Pounamu's future aspirations are for his music to reach the world. He believes that music is one of the best ways to inspire positive change in our current society and wants to share his messages to those far and wide.
Isabella Reid

She's a singer who enjoys performing classical, choral and musical theatre. She's sung for the Governor General, on television for an ANZAC day broadcast, and even at Parliament.
She joined her first choir when she was eight and was just 12 when she successfully auditioned as an alto in the 2017 to 2018 NZSSC (NZ Secondary Students Choir) and as a soprano in the 2019 to 2020 NZSSC. She is currently an alto in her third cycle with the choir. It means she receives expert tuition from many of her mentors and gets to perform regularly in New Zealand overseas. She's enjoyed success at the New Zealand Aria Competition, been Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music and volunteers her time singing at rest homes, fundraisers and funerals.
At Waikato Dio Isabella was Arts Leader and named Arts Laureate for her contribution to school and community music. She was also the head of her school choir, Bel Suono. In 2021 she sold-out the University's Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber performing an extensive repertoire of 15 songs and four duets from Schubert to Streisand.
Not only can Isabella sing, she also enjoys playing the piano, playing tuned percussion in orchestras, playing tennis, and was also a representative netball player. Her musical dream is to perform nationally and internationally.
Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead

The former Hamilton Boys' High School student, originally from Rotorua, followed his brother into the sport. Hakaraia was head prefect at Hamilton Boys' High School and will study a Bachelor of Law at the University of Waikato. He hopes to become a lawyer and eventually a judge.
Hakaraia made the Waikato Chiefs Under 17 Camp in 2018 and the Under 18 Camp in 2019, where he was in Liam Messam's team to play the Crusaders' equivalent side.
The former captain of the Hamilton Boys' High School 1st XV plays as a prop and was a member of the team which won the Super 8 Championship twice and the National Under 15 tournament in 2016 and 2017.
Hakaraia says his biggest achievement was captaining the New Zealand Barbarians secondary school team. He enjoys the physical and mental challenges of rugby and trains at the gym four to five times a week, in between club trainings and skills sessions.
In his first two years out of school, Hakaraia was a member of the Waikato Under 19 and Under 20 teams. Performance in this team meant he was selected to take part in the National Under 20 Super Rugby competition, representing the Chiefs U20s. He is eligible again for this in 2022, and is looking to stand up as a leader in this team.
He says the biggest challenge is backing up the physicality of trainings and games every week, while keeping a healthy body.
Georgia Robcke

Five years on from picking up her first racquet, the sport has seen her travel as far as India after she made the Junior World Girls' team, representing New Zealand in 2018. She also made the World Junior Champs in 2017 and 2019 and won the Under 17 New Zealand Junior Girls title in 2017.
"I started playing squash due to my dad being down at the club all the time. I enjoy the training aspect of squash and love hitting with my coach and other players on a regular basis. As well as meeting new people through the sport," says Georgia.
Making both the 2018 and 2019 World Junior Girls' team have been her biggest achievements to date, she says.
Georgia will start a Bachelor of Law at the University of Waikato this year and hopes to balance her studies with continuing to play squash regularly and advance further in the sport.
She says she was attracted to the university because of the friendly environment of the law faculty.
The former Thames High School student, who was on her school's student council, and won the Hauraki Sportswoman of the year, hopes to eventually specialise in environmental law.
"I think one of the biggest challenges will be balancing schoolwork with training and having a social life," says Georgia.
Charlie Roil

In 2019 Charlie placed second in the 400 metres in the national junior secondary schools championship and fifth in the 800 metres. National competitions for the next couple of years were cancelled due to Covid-19, but he kept up his training, which now involves four or five one-hour sessions a week.
At Waikato, Charles is studying for a Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Finance. He's also taking an elective paper in Psychology. Charles chose the University of Waikato for its excellent business school and the support it offers student athletes who strive for success.
Sian Scragg

One of her biggest achievements throughout her dancing career was being selected by teachers from around the world to dance alongside them and perform to an audience. After Sian graduates with a Bachelor in Primary Teaching, she aspires to actively involve the performing arts, specifically dance, in her teaching career so children can experience the arts and grow a passion for it, just as she did.
Halle Scurrah

Halle will be joining the University of Waikato to study a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance, majoring in Human Performance with a minor in Māori and Indigenous studies. She aspires to help and assist athletes with their wellbeing and sports careers and intends to incorporate her learnings from her minor in Māori language into her teaching. Halle is excited to begin her studies with us because of the opportunities and resources we offer, which will assist in completing both her academic and sporting ambitions.
Nicole Shields

Nicole has competed in several local, national and international events, including the Junior Track World Championships in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, Nicole came second in the team pursuit, breaking the world record, as well as placing fourth in the individual pursuit. She made her elite debut for New Zealand at the Oceania Track Champs in 2018. Since then, she has competed in two world cups, winning the team pursuit in Hong Kong and coming second in the Madison at the end of 2019. In addition to cycling, Nicole played representative netball and basketball until 2016, as well as competing in adventure racing.
In the future, Nicole aspires to be selected for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Olympics. She would also like to "tick off some funny long distance adventures", and hopes to grow her own business one day.
David Simes

Liam Singer

Ava Smith

Ava attended Gisborne Girls' High School where she was head of the sports council and prefect and a regular participant in competitive surfing and swimming competitions. Ava is studying for a Bachelor of Business, intending to major in Marketing and Finance with a minor in Te Reo Māori.
As a career, Ava would like to be a team manager or work in a business, preferably one that involves travel. For sport, she'd like to continue succeeding in adventure and endurance competitions that involve the ocean or water of some kind.
Joe Smythe

Joe started playing squash as a six-year-old living in Wellington, moved to Tauranga when he was 11 and completed his secondary schooling at Tauranga Boys' College where he was a prefect for two years and a deputy house captain.
Squash has provided Joe with fantastic opportunities to meet new friends, travel overseas and create lifelong connections. He currently trains once or twice a day, and coaches five junior players each week.
Joe chose to study at the University of Waikato due to the wide range of course options and sporting opportunities. He's studying for a Bachelor of Business degree and says he's looking forward to making new connections at University and training hard for squash.
He hopes he'll be able to represent New Zealand at the 2022 World Junior Squash Championships and again at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. His sporting hero is New Zealand squash player Paul Coll, ranked number two in the world and winner of the 2021 British Open.
When Joe's not on the court, he's likely to be found outdoors, fishing, freediving, surfing or playing golf.
Manaia Sorensen

Manaia has amassed an impressive array of speaking accolades over the past three years and has been an active volunteer and fundraiser in her community. She has won the Mātaatua Ngā Manu KÅrero regionals for the past three years and progressed to the national competition where in 2019 she won best prepared speech, best impromptu speech and won first place overall, the Korimako section. Manaia was the keynote speaker at the TÅ« Rangatahi conference, EIT, in 2019. She was also the keynote speaker at the International Indigenous Climate Action event called RedTide and a speaker on a women's panel for Seed Australia Climate Action, 2018. Manaia has been a member of the East Coast Youth Advisory Council for 2018, 2019, and Rangatahi representative for a group at Te RÅ«nanga o Te Whānau a Apanui, called Te Tini Whetu, for 2018 and 2019.
Manaia says her biggest highlight to date has been being actively involved within her community and being a voice for all. A special memory for her was presenting her third and final Ngā Manu Korero speech on her Marae to her whānau, hapu and iwi before and after the competition. Manaia wishes to show, inspire and motivate people that you can succeed no matter who you are and where you come from.
Manaia will study a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Māori and Indigenous studies and a minor in Law at The University of Waikato. She plans to decolonize Aotearoa, re-work the system and eventually work in parliament.
In the words of Manaia Sorensen - "Forever and Always #fortheiwi"
Ngarangikamaea Stewart

Caleb Te Rire

The former Tarawera High School head boy will start Theatre Studies at the University of Waikato this year as he works towards fulfilling his dream of making it to the big screen in Hollywood movies.
Caleb, who comes from Kawerau, has performed with the local performing arts academy through his high school life and says he loves performing on stage and using different styles of acting and different plays to challenge himself.
Highlights of his stage career to date include performing in his performing arts academy play called One Night in Broadway, which incorporated scenes from many of the Broadway classics including Chicago and Les Misérables.
He also counts being chosen as head boy at Tarawera High School and being endorsed with merit for all three of his NCEA levels as recent successes.
Alongside acting, Caleb has also been playing rugby since he was eight and says his main goal is to use his acting career to give back to his community and whanau.
Maikel Tuala

His chosen sport is rugby, which he's been playing since he was five â always an outside back. He's got pace, so he's also starred in athletics, winning the Auckland secondary schools' senior 100 metres championship in 2021.
Maikel enjoys the disciplines that rugby and training teaches you; for example, resilience, hard work and team work.
He's played in the world schools' sevens tournament for both the New Zealand Māori and New Zealand Barbarians teams and he was also named as part of the Blues U18 squad in 2021. But his career highlight to date would easily be the two years he spent playing for his school's first XV where he created many memories and friendships that he'll hold for life.
Maikel's ultimate goals are to take rugby as far as he can and play professionally one day, and he'd also like to be involved in sports in some form once his playing career is over.
Cheyenne Walmsley

Cheyenne's talents have taken her places she never expected to go: onstage at music festivals, into artists' studios, stunning bush landscapes in the wilderness, and remote beaches at sunrise. For Cheyenne, the real beauty of film-making is presenting audiences with an idea and making them see it in a different way.
In addition to film-making, Cheyenne has also been involved with her school leadership team and Board of Trustees. She has been involved with the Coromandel Film Collective and written articles for local papers, reporting on environmental issues.
Cheyenne's dream is to create short films and feature films to engage large audiences with societal issues and contribute to a more equitable society. She hopes her degree will help her to understand the science behind environmental issues so that she can communicate them through film.
Manaia Lewis-Wano

Manaia is the Chairperson of The Moko Foundation National Youth Board, a member of Te Taumata o Rehu Ariki (Rotorua Māori Youth Council), was a Rotorua Girls' High School prefect and house captain and much more. She was a finalist for the One Chance Youth Award Cultural Leader of the Year and was Rotorua's Energy Event Charitable Trust Young Achiever for Leadership, Academic, Performing Arts and Cultural Recognition. After Manaia completes her degree in Business, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Māori and Indigenous Studies, she aspires to win a Te Matatini campaign while creating a business that will showcase kapa haka on a global scale.
Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai

Since then the former Matamata College and Hamilton Boys' High School student has gathered an impressive collection of rugby and touch rugby accolades. They include taking out the Super 8 secondary school competition, making the Waikato Chiefs Under 18 development squad and captaining his high school's premier touch rugby team that won the national championships twice.
Te Aonui also made the Waikato Under 21 Men's Touch Team, who are national champions, and he is part of the Touch New Zealand, Player Pathways Academy.
Studying Business Strategic and Te Reo Maori at the University of Waikato, alongside becoming a professional sportsperson, Te Aonui says he hopes to one day start his own business or work in the business sector.
Te Aonui says he loves the brotherhood and friendships created through playing rugby and the idea of setting a common goal and working hard together to achieve it.
Outside of rugby Te Aonui achieved NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 with merit and has been part of Te Maurea Whiritoi, the Hamilton Boys' and Girls' Kapa Haka group who were fifth in the national competition. Te Aonui was a youth mentor and has also completed the Matarua, Mau Rakau, and Tikanga course.
Evan Williams

Evan has proven that you can be dedicated to both school and sport. While at Takapuna Grammar School, he was a member of the Resilience and Protection Peer Team, Sports Council, Head of House, 2020 prefect, and member of the Support programme and Sports Academy. Evan will be joining the University of Waikato community in 2021 to study a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance, majoring in Exercise Science.
Anna Wilson

The former Waikato Diocesan student will start her Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology this year and says studying at the University of Waikato will allow her to work on her studies while keeping up her riding.
Over the last 11 years she has competed at events including Horse of the Year, New Zealand Pony Club Association Dressage Champs, Under 25 Dressage Champs and Equidays. She says the highlights have been winning the Reserve Level 3 Pony Class Champion at Horse of the Year and the Under 25 Champs in 2017. She was also named in the New Zealand Pony Club Association, Waikato dressage team in 2016 and 2017.
Anna was captain of her school equestrian team and on the academic council. She is a qualified pony club coach and coaches at her local club and a riding school, while also running a tutoring business in her local community.
Anna says she loves being around horses and getting to know their personalities and quirks and she loves how horses always teach you something about yourself.
She trains five days a week and competes at least twice a month.
Anna says the biggest challenge is how hard it is to get the basics right.
"Trying to get both your own body and your horse to do what you want whilst trying to improve yourself and the horse is a real challenge," says Anna.
Jaimee Wilson

The former Taradale High School student has competed in the Oceania Championships, Krakow Mayor Cup, Flattach European Cup and Augsburg European Cup over the past five years.
She says travelling to Europe to race has been the highlight of her sporting achievements to date, visiting Germany, Austria and Poland. Jaimee trains six days a week for around 12 hours in total, out in her kayak and at the gym.
Jaimee says one of the most challenging things about canoe slalom is trying to remember every aspect of a course and a river and being able to visualise kayaking it before she races.
"I love the sport because there is always a new way to challenge myself and the adrenaline of paddling in white water makes everything about it fun," says Jaimee.
At Taradale High School she was the sport prefect and co-captain of the 1st XI girls' hockey team. She also spent time coaching junior canoe slalom athletes for Hawkes Bay Canoe Club.
Jaimee will study a Bachelor of Environmental Planning and hopes to eventually work with councils in the area of resource sustainability. She also hopes to make the senior canoe slalom team and compete at world cup and world championship events.
Ally Wollaston
