The achievements of the top young Maori scholars from 26 Otago schools were recognised at the University of Otago's annual Mana Pounamu awards ceremony last night.
About 300 people watched, and many performed haka and waiata, as 40 awards were presented to rakataki (Maori youth) from Otago secondary schools in two categories: tuakana (senior) and teina (junior).
Two Mana Pounamu awards were established this year: the Otago Daily Times award for excellence in English and the University of Otago award for commitment to te reo Maori.
University of Otago acting director of Maori development Janine Kapa said the Mana Pounamu awards celebrated the success and achievements of young Maori.
They also recognised the potential of the region's rakataki and could encourage them to undertake tertiary study.
"We want to identify leadership potential and provide positive role models to rakataki Maori."
Scholarships were also announced at the ceremony and 19 recipients were given grants from the Otago Polytechnic and AgResearch, Ms Kapa said.
"We had a lot of top contenders and some very hard choices. These are amazing young people here," she said.
Schools were asked to nominate pupils in the tuakana and teina categories, Ms Kapa said.
Polytechnic scholarships provides full fees payment for a chosen course of study, next year, should the recipient decide to pursue higher education at the institute.
The AgResearch award provides for participation at the University of Otago hands-on-science week next year.
The awards are a Kai Tahu initiative supported by Ka Papatipu Runaka ki Araiteuru, the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and the Ministry of Education.
