The 17-year-old John McGlashan College deputy head boy recently completed a gruelling 12-day cycle, run and kayak over extreme terrain from Centre Island lighthouse, in Foveaux Strait, to Boulder Bank lighthouse, in Cook Strait to raise funds for the Riverton Coast Guard, in Southland.
Nick said inspiration for the journey came from his great-great-grandfather, James Anderson, who was the keeper at both lighthouses.
And while he was able to raise $4000 for the Riverton Coast Guard, there were other rewards just as great, he said.
"He was a really good sport. He pushed me on, on days when I just didn't think I could carry on.
"Riding a bike into a head wind and rain on hilly terrain - it was pretty tough on some days. I couldn't have done it without him."
For his efforts, Nick was awarded one of his school's highest honours, the McGlashan Challenge Award.
John McGlashan College principal Mike Corkery described Nick's feat as a "Herculean effort".
He said the award was established nearly 10 years ago, and Nick was only the ninth pupil to receive it.
"It is an opportunity for top performers, highly motivated individuals, to identify a specific challenge or target or goal that would be difficult to achieve and would seriously test them.
"It's all about preparation, effort and stickability. For a McGlashan Challenge Award, you have to achieve something remarkable and difficult, but also worthwhile and personally satisfying."
Previous winners included Sam Caradus, who swam from St Clair beach, around White Island and back again in 2001; Michael Grant, who aimed to win five scholarships in University Bursary examinations and succeeded; Luke Hasselman, who climbed Mt Aspiring; and Sam Howie, who set out to raise $6000 for the Otago Community Hospice by playing piano, eventually raising about $16,000.
To mark the award, winners were entitled to wear a McGlashan Challenge sterling silver ring - the only jewellery permitted with the school's uniform, Mr Corkery said.
While he was unsure whether he would ride, run or kayak the length of the South Island again, Nick said he was delighted and honoured to join the prestigious group of award winners.
