PRIME MINISTER'S PACIFIC YOUTH AWARDS

The new Pacific faces that are the future of the nation!

The 11 new winners of the Prime Ministers Pacific Youth Awards are reaching for the stars across a spectrum of sectors that show the diversity and talent that young Pasifika people are bringing to Aotearoa. 

From tech developers to business entrepreneurs, artists and aeronautical engineering - the 11 recipients all have wide ranging skill sets that are primed to blossom as they develop.

“I want to start with your families ...who kept them watered, fed & loved you, thank you" said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her welcome speech before she addressed the recipients.  

“You’re not leaders of tomorrow, you are leaders of today. We need to get rid of the idea that with age comes responsibility, you have responsibilities now...you keep me motivated"  she said.

The onus of the PM's awards have given the recipients added confidence in their abilities and recognition for their ideas which all say are invaluable at this stage of their lives. 

“I’m in software development, I’m like the only Pacific person...I say that if you can plan a wedding last minute you can be in software development.” - Eteroa Lafaele, winner of the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Award  

"I believe that Pacific people contribute so much to diversity and with that diversity it breeds much more creativity.  I believe that some of this worlds issues can only be resolved through Pasifika solutions" -  Sela Tupou Patisepa Maka, winner of the International Scholar Award 

The 2019 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award winners are:

• International Scholar Award (sponsored by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation)
Sela Maka, 20, from Palmerston North and is of Tongan descent.

• Community Star Award (sponsored by Auckland Council)
Janelle Augsburg, 23, from Auckland and is of Tongan and European descent.

• Community Star Award (sponsored by Auckland Council)
Dejealous Sili Palota-Kopa, 23, from Auckland and is of Samoan descent.

• Leadership and Inspiration Award (sponsored by Air New Zealand, supported by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Okirana Tilaia, 17, from Christchurch and is of Samoan descent.

• Arts and Creativity Award (sponsored by Creative NZ and Massey University)
Manuha’apai Vaeatangitau, 21, from Auckland and is of Tongan descent.

• Language, Culture and Identity Award (sponsored by the Ministry for Pacific
Peoples)
Louisa Vaeluaga, 22, from Auckland and is of Tokelauan and Tuvaluan decent.

• STEM Award (sponsored by the Riddet Institute)
Eteroa Lafaele, 23, from Wellington and is of Samoan decent.

• STEM Award (sponsored by Fonterra)
Ioane Fiso, 18, from Wellington and is of Samoan and European descent.

• Business and Entrepreneurship Award (sponsored by Pacific Business Trust)
Keith Toma, 21, from Auckland and is of Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan and
Tuvaluan descent.

• Business and Entrepreneurship Award (sponsored by Pacific Business Trust)
Alexia Hilbertidou, 20, from Auckland and is of Samoan and European descent.

• Commercial and Corporate Award (sponsored by Deloitte)
Tupou Veiogo, 20, from Palmerston North and is of Fijian descent.