Kaikorai Valley College

Kwan Yi Ng

Kwan Yi Ng loves helping others.

That’s why she wants a career in medicine.

She has been working steadily towards that goal by studying all three sciences, as well as calculus, even though it has been challenging at times.

"I know I’ve got to work hard to get into those classes."

The 17-year-old is proud of being recognised for her academic achievements as well as her service over the past couple of years.

She developed a passion for understanding human behaviour after working from year 7 to 11 for the Red Cross, in Hong Kong, before she moved to Dunedin.

After starting school at Kaikorai Valley College, Kwan began helping out at the school’s Braithwaite Centre — a supported-learning environment for students with special needs.

She also did first aid for Red Cross and tutored primary school pupils.

Kwan says she is a "people person" because her parents taught her to consider her "greater responsibility".

"I’ve always wanted to help contribute to the community."

Her co-curricular work feels like a hobby for her and she enjoys doing it.

She is also the head of the environment group and is involved in organising a stream clean-up and rubbish collection around the school.

Coming from Hong Kong, she values the environment in New Zealand and wants to do her utmost to look after it.

Kwan hopes to study psychology or nursing next year.

Achievements

Duke of Edinburgh bronze award (2025); Student Volunteer Army bronze award (2025); environment leader (2025); peer support leader (2025); Dunedin Youth Council treasurer (2025); health committee (2025); Youthline rangatahi advisory group (2025); Student Volunteer Army member (2024-25); dean’s award (2024-25); Braithwaite Centre volunteer (2024-25); gender diversity and equality committee (2024-25); ballet (2024-25); figure skating (2023-25); badminton (2023-25); judo (2023-25); drums (2024-25); kapa haka (2024-25); contribution to school life prize (2024); artistry and diligence award (2024); environment committee (2024); senior farm leader (2024); student council treasurer (2024); NCEA level 2 excellence endorsement (2024); 2nd in biology (2024); 2nd in mathematics (2024); 3rd in physics (2024); NCEA level 1 excellence endorsement (2023).

Role models

Her parents.

Hopes for the future

To become a psychologist.

Mackenzie Dinnissen

Sport plays a massive role in Mackenzie Dinnissen’s life.

You are most likely to find the 17-year-old either on a netball court or at Brighton Beach doing surf lifesaving.

"Ever since I was little, I was playing sports outside, throwing the ball around and all that stuff.

"I think part of it was my parents always made that a possibility in my life."

But playing sport is not just a way for her to socialise.

She aims to make it part of her career.

She says becoming a physical education teacher would be the perfect fit for her.

"I’ve had a long list of jobs that have stood out, but it’s kind of always just been brought back to the teaching."

She has already been coaching a year 9 netball team at school for the past couple of years, and she is loving it.

"I’ve enjoyed seeing how they grow in the sport."

She feels a real connection with her team.

Her focus is always on building positivity in the team, especially when they have a tough loss.

She prefers to focus on how they can improve for the next game.

"I like to see people work on themselves, and make them feel like they can enjoy their sport."

Achievements

Head student (2025); sports leader (2025); peer support leader (2025); student council (2025); Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club committee (2023-25); creative industries — vocational pathways (2025); Outward Bound (2025); Kaikorai Valley College senior A netball team (2022-25); patrol captain (2025); camp link (2025); contribution to girls’ school sports prize (2024); 1st senior girls cross-country (2024); NCEA level 2 merit endorsement (2024); contribution to surf lifesaving prize (2021-24), most promising senior netball player (2024); 1st U16 intermediate girls cross-country (2023); NCEA level 1 merit endorsement (2023); Hillary personal development camp (2022); contribution to girls school sports prize (2022).