Featured image for “Celebrating 60 years of Manawatakitahi”

Celebrating 60 years of Manawatakitahi

Exceptional Service Awards 2023 Over the course of our 60th anniversary, we have been inspired by the whakatauki Manawatakitahi –…
Featured image for “On and Off the Field Success – Dormay Laufiso”

On and Off the Field Success – Dormay Laufiso

Dormay Laufiso is a bright and accomplished young lady who has taken on the Award through the Joshua Foundation. Now,…
Featured image for “When whakawhanaungatanga starts with your whanau”

When whakawhanaungatanga starts with your whanau

As part of a wonderful intergenerational experience of the Award, with both her parents having completed their own Awards in…
Featured image for “Leading with Gold”

Leading with Gold

Award Leaders are the heart of our Award community, and they make everything possible for the rangatahi of Aotearoa. One…
Featured image for “Tessa’s Kaimai Adventure”

Tessa’s Kaimai Adventure

Morrinsville College student and current Gold participant, Tessa Nicholson, has recently returned from a her practice journey in Kaimai Mamaku…
Featured image for “Getting on Board – Celebrating the Contributions of our Youth Trustees”

Getting on Board – Celebrating the Contributions of our Youth Trustees

The role of Youth Trustee here at the plays a vital role for youth in this governance position. Increasing diversity…
Featured image for “Success with access; a meaningful journey for everyone in the Award”

Success with access; a meaningful journey for everyone in the Award

Inclusion and accessibility are one of the Award’s key priorities. Karen Ross, National Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary…
Featured image for “Busy in the Beehive”

Busy in the Beehive

This year’s Youth Parliament concluded at the end of August, and with so many of our participants getting involved in…
Featured image for “Plenty of Challenges but Abundant Opportunities”

Plenty of Challenges but Abundant Opportunities

Manaaki work to encourage, support, and challenge their disabled clients, preparing them for vocational work and voluntary service in the…
Featured image for “Strength, Tenacity and Resilience – Nathan Carter”

Strength, Tenacity and Resilience – Nathan Carter

Completing his Award through Helen Anderson Trust, Nathan Carter, a young autistic man from Canterbury, recently completed his Gold Residential…
Featured image for “Worth his weight in Gold – Hamish Gilbert”

Worth his weight in Gold – Hamish Gilbert

“Often with a disability, it is assumed that you can’t do things. For example, having to battle to be included,…
Featured image for “Ascending the heights; Gold Awardee YouRim Kang”

Ascending the heights; Gold Awardee YouRim Kang

At our August Wellington ceremony this year YouRim, from Christchurch Girl’s High School, received her Gold Award, after progressing through…
Featured image for “Roots and branches – Bearing fruit for Award alumni”

Roots and branches – Bearing fruit for Award alumni

Completing his Gold Award in 2003, Dan Howell embodies the transformation that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award can have.…
Featured image for “Creating a valuable legacy with the Award-Andrew Latta”

Creating a valuable legacy with the Award-Andrew Latta

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award supports our rangatahi to realise their potential, and to develop life skills that will…
Featured image for “Tauranga student forms friendship over reading for blind”

Tauranga student forms friendship over reading for blind

Shirley Macdonald is blind. She doesn’t “feel like she is blind”, but when COVID-19 put the country into lockdown, she…
Featured image for “Ishan Kokulan has been the youth voice guiding decisions, policy and change”

Ishan Kokulan has been the youth voice guiding decisions, policy and change

For three years, Ishan Kokulan has been the youth voice guiding decisions, policy and change at the Duke of Edinburgh’s…
Featured image for “Array of opportunities through the Award”

Array of opportunities through the Award

Everyone talks about the array of opportunities young people have today, and I’ve found Duke of Ed to emphasise exactly…
Featured image for “Whangaparaoa teen helping his community through Duke of Ed Award”

Whangaparaoa teen helping his community through Duke of Ed Award

Xavier from Whangaparaoa College – has been keeping busy volunteering with Love Soup for his Award, an organisation who provides…
Featured image for “Supporting the Award to support our rangatahi; Ben Pollard (Award Leader)”

Supporting the Award to support our rangatahi; Ben Pollard (Award Leader)

Currently at Rangitoto College, and previously at Bluelight, Ben Pollard has over five years of experience facilitating the Award programme.…
Featured image for “Plan My Walk and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award”

Plan My Walk and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award

Working through the medals of the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award is a rewarding challenge. At each medal level, participants are required to complete overnight tramps –…
Featured image for “Celebrating the Young Environmental Activists of Aotearoa: The Kākāriki Journey”

Celebrating the Young Environmental Activists of Aotearoa: The Kākāriki Journey

Listen to Pipi’s RNZ interview with Jesse Mulligan. All around the world, the youth of today are demonstrating a passion…