Kavanagh College pupil Sebastian Hook cracks a smile while having his picture taken with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Christine O'Connor : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

East Otago High School pupils Lauren Keen (left) and Hannah Paton celebrate their successes. Photo: Christine O'Connor : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

Parents Alister and Sharyn Bungard pose with their daughter, Laura, from Taieri College. Photo: Christine O'Connor : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

Supporters take cellphone camera photos of the awards. Photo: Christine O'Connor : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

Claudia Thomson, Melissa Bonilla Casanas, from Otago Girls' High School, and Alistair Thomson celebrate at the awards. Photo: Gregor Richardson : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

The Bell family (from left) Steve, Logan, from Cromwell College, and Linda, celebrate at the awards. : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

St Kevin's College pupils Rata McMullan and Seth Humphries reel in the atmosphere. Photo: Gregor RIchardson : Be confident and be brave, PM urges

Linda Miller, from Otago Girls' High School, and Lindy Cavanagh-Monaghan, from Blue Mountain College, soak up the atmosphere. Photo: Gregor Richardson : Be confident and be brave, PM urges