About the Awards

Minister for Children – Kelvin Davis: 
The purpose of us being here is to acknowledge the young people who have done so well, done so well, despite extraordinary circumstances. 
And I’d just really like to acknowledge you, first and foremost, I'm extremely proud of you. Your whānau are proud of you that are here. I’d just like to congratulate you on what you have achieved. 
 
Event Organiser – Shannon Moananu: 
What has been really special about this year is that there are lots of young people doing awesome things. There's a beekeeper and a funeral director and people that want to be social workers and actors and dance, and they are all doing outstanding things.  
 
Minister for Children – Kelvin Davis: 
And I hope the scholarship that you receive goes a long way to helping you to fulfil your dreams.  
 
Event Organiser – Shannon Moananu: 
So at the moment, our sponsors are the ones that come together and fund the actual scholarship that is attached to the Award. Development whether it's leadership, whether it's vocational development. 
 
Minister for Children – Kelvin Davis: 
We back you, we believe in you. And I really hope that you back and believe yourselves. 
 
Inspirational Speaker – Ayla Hoeta: 
My journey started in care as well. Some of the people I looked up to in my life who told me, you know, if you want to get out, education is key. Find your craft or find your thing, that aligns with your passion, and educate yourself in that. The more true to who I am that I was, the more I succeeded. 
You are the company you keep. 
Look at your five best mates, are they awesome? Then you're awesome. 
Or are they kore taki? Well, you’re kore taki.  
 
M.C. Patrick Gower: 
To all the supporters out there tonight. 
The whānau, the caregivers. The social workers, the youth workers. Thank you for everything you do to help, not just the rangatahi that are here, but all of our young people as they all grow into the stars that they are. 
 
Chief Executive – Tumu Whakarae ō – Chappie Te Kani: 
Tomorrow you are going to be with the Prime Minister. I encourage you to take selfies. 
It's important. It's important for us to acknowledge you over the next two days. 
 
Prime Minister – Jacinda Ardern: 
Kia ora koutou katoa. Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou.  
Welcome, welcome to your place. This is your Parliament as well. Well, it's really special for me to be able to come and just spend a little bit of time. Before we just make this super informal. So I can just come and say hello to everyone and do whatever you want to do, if you want to have a photo, or .. 
 
Award Winner – Unidentified: 
Oh, especially with you! 
 
Prime Minister – Jacinda Ardern: 
I would be happy to be in a photo, I would love to.   
 
Social Worker – Zola Benioni: 
It was amazing to be part of the experience to see all the rangatahi achieve, their goals.  
To be recognised for everything that they have done. 
Makes me really, really proud. And also reminds me of why I'm doing what I'm doing as a social worker. 
 
Award Winner – Arapuni: 
It's such a surreal experience and I'm very grateful. 
And just getting to know even the rangatahi has been good. 
 
Chief Executive – Tumu Whakarae ō – Chappie Te Kani: 
Always remember the superpower you've unleashed to get you to this point, because when times get tough, you've got it in you, in your ability to get you to where you need to go. 
 
Inspirational Speaker – Ayla Hoeta: 
We have come too far not to go further. We have done too much, not to do more. 
 
Chief Executive – Tumu Whakarae ō – Chappie Te Kani: 
I'm exceptionally excited for your success, for what the future looks like for Aotearoa.