Persevere and never fear failure.
That was the message from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to the best and brightest secondary school pupils in Otago, at the Otago Daily Times Class Act 2019 awards ceremony yesterday.
The cultural, academic and sporting achievements of 57 pupils from 29 Otago schools were celebrated at the special gathering, which included proud parents, teachers and principals at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Ms Ardern said the pupils lived in a time when just about everything was broadcast, liked, retweeted and shared online.
"There is no reprieve from judgement.
"So in response, we make ourselves smaller and smaller targets. That way we never have to run the risk of shame, or pain or humiliation.
"But just as much as we need you all to have a desire and a motivation to succeed, we also need you to never fear failure - to never seek or expect to be perfect - to be (without compromise) you."
"But remember, be flawed. Never fear failure. Be confident and be brave.
"Be all of those things, because the world doesn't need little targets who only exist online.
"They need uncompromising, unrelenting, unashamed you."
University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne acknowledged the parents of the pupils.
"As a parent myself, I know that success like this does not happen by accident.
"Your son's or daughter's success is due in large part to their effort, but it was also due to the huge amount of effort that each and every one of you have put into lovingly looking after these young people."
This year's award recipients will receive an automatic entitlement to a University of Otago scholarship, worth at least $6000, for 2020.
Otago Daily Times editor Barry Stewart said this year was the 20th year the Class Act programme had been run, and it was the initiative of which the ODT was most proud.
"About 1120 pupils have graduated from our programme, and, of course, those here today were not even born when it all began.
"It makes you feel a little old, actually, because I've been involved with most of them - no, actually, all of them."
He said the award had established itself as a prestigious and valued part of the school year.
"We believe New Zealand needs to encourage its citizens to set goals, to persevere, to achieve, to want to do their best ... and those qualities should be acknowledged and applauded.
"That is the purpose of today's function."
St Kevin's College pupil Rata McMullan said the event brought home the gravity of her achievements.
"It's quite overwhelming and it's quite humbling seeing other people here who have made massive achievements as well.
"I didn't expect this."
For Cromwell College pupil Logan Bell, meeting the Prime Minister was the highlight of his year.
"Previously, I saw her foot once at the Beehive and that was as far as I had ever got to her."
