Celebrating Rangatahi
We are promoting Porirua, the young talent within the city, and helping to foster a sense of community pride
Kia eke panuku
Tupu Rangatahi Awards
As a community, we have the power to redefine what success looks like. Our Tupu Rangatahi Awards celebrate the incredible resilience and achievements of rangatahi in Porirua City. These young individuals are not just our future; they are our present, making significant strides and overcoming barriers that many of us can only imagine.
In our community, success isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about the journey, the challenges faced, and the barriers overcome. Our rangatahi who shift the dial the furthest often do so by navigating through more obstacles than the average person. Their stories of perseverance, determination, and triumph are a testament to their strength and the supportive environment we strive to create.
2024 Tupu Rangatahi Award Recipients
- Eke Panuku Award – Triumph Through Adversity – Joshua Tran Langthong
- Manaakitanga Award – Support Through Process – Mika Tyrell
- Manawanui Award – Dedication – Carlos Simi and Keanu Simi
- Whakamanawa Award – Confidence – Hiaohi Stuart
- Ringa Raupā Award – Hard Working – Semu Faámaoni
- Whanaungatanga Award – Working Together – Hannah Imaani
- Manawaroa Award – Resilience – Millie Caitlyn Carian
- Huringa Ora Award – Life Transformation – Jodissy Isis Hartman-Hutton
- Mana Motuhake Award – Self Determination – Oriwia Te-Rangihaeata Kingi
You can read about our inaugural awards ceremony here.
Porirua Youth Awards
The purpose of the Porirua Youth Awards is to give assistance to young people who are excelling by providing financial recognition of that excellence. There are up to five categories for the grants – Art and Culture, Education, Sport, STEM, Environmental or Community Work.
This initiative was created in response to numerous requests for support and to acknowledge young people of Porirua who are leading the way and achieving in school, on the sport field, on the stage, and in the community.
The awards were established in 2010 when past patron, Hekia Parata, championed raising funds for Porirua Youth Awards. Since then, support has come from Porirua City Council and a number of generous sponsors, including Whittakers, Wellington Windows and Doors, Helen and Chris Kirk-Burnnand, Bob & Sue Shennan and The Porirua Foundation.
These awards are to recognise young people who are outstanding and excellent in both attainment and attitude. After written applications are received, a panel of independent judges select the award recipicents. An annual Youth Awards function is held with whanau and community supporters where the Mayor presents the awards.
2024 Porirua Youth Awards Recipients
He whakamihi, congratulations to our 2024 Porirua Youth Award Recipients!
Sumvidh Bharadwaj (Adventure School) – Award – Junior Excellence (Education)
Blade Funaki (Mana College) – Award – Junior Highly Commended (Education)
Te Aio – Titia Halatau (Whitby Collegiate) – Award – Junior Highly Commended (Sport)
Grace Fale (Aotea College) – Award – Excellence (Education)
Charity Kells (Bishop Viard College) – Award – Excellence (Education)
Georgia Ellis (Mana College) – Award – Excellence (Art and Culture)
Edie Moore (Kapiti College) – Award – Excellence (Art and Culture)
Seymour Daunakamakama (Aotea College) – Award – Excellence (Sport)
Snehal Maram (Wellington College) – Award – Excellence (STEM)
Ishaan Badiyani (Whitby Collegiate) – Award – Highly Commended (Education)
Solomon Pule (Porirua College) Award – Leadership (Education)
Lucy Bain (Whitby Collegiate) – Award – Highly Commended (Community)
Ella Lambert (Aotea College) – Award – Highly Commended (Art and Culture)
Tumanako Waa (Onslow College) – Award – Highly Commended (Art and Culture)
Geordina Togia (Tawa College) – Award – Highly Commended (Sport)
Blessing Mataitoa – Pule (Aotea College) – Award – Highly Commended (STEM)
Young Employee Awards
Each year Partners Porirua coordinates these awards as a way of celebrating many of the outstanding rangatahi employed in Porirua.
Young Employee Awards evenings are held annually in conjunction with the Porirua Chamber of Commerce and Porirua City Council. Employers nominate young employees who they feel have made an outstanding contribution to their business. Nominees include young employees from across many different sectors such as hospitality, sales and service, construction and recreation.
Congratulations 2025 Winners
Overall Winner: Jessica Schnell (Whittaker’s)
Community Contribution Award: Lepeti Pio (Porirua District Court)
Future Leader Award: Leah Moura (Venue Service, Te Rauparaha Arena, PCC)
Work Ethic Award: Jesse Free (Mexted Sports Turf)
Workplace Culture Award: Charlotte Claridge (Kainga Ora)
Rising Star Award: Johnson Aumua-Peseta (Porirua District Court)
Recognition for Partners Porirua’s Work
We have been delighted over the years to have received fabulous feedback from our community for the work we do. We have also been formally recognised for our community contributions and sound business practice.
Over the years awards we have received numerous awards including the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award at the Westpac Porirua Business Awards and as a supreme winner in the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards in recognition for the valuable contribution of volunteers. Tau kē!
A key success factor for Partners Porirua has been our ability to bring together businesses and community to work alongside educators to encourage rangatahi to be innovative, enterprising and entrepreneurial. These are the qualities required for the workforce of the future and the key to developing youth for te ao mahi, the working world.
“Partnering with the team at Partners Porirua to provide employment to rangatahi as well as acknowledging our own young people through the Awards is one of my career highlights.”
“I’ve noticed the rangatahi inspire our experienced employees to step up as mentors to provide guidance and support to our young talent.”