Our Stories
Celebrating 60 years of Manawatakitahi
Exceptional Service Awards 2023 Over the course of our 60th anniversary, we have been inspired by the whakatauki Manawatakitahi –…
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,…
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…
Leading with Gold
Award Leaders are the heart of our Award community, and they make everything possible for the rangatahi of Aotearoa. One…
Tessa’s Kaimai Adventure
Morrinsville College student and current Gold participant, Tessa Nicholson, has recently returned from a her practice journey in Kaimai Mamaku…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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 –…
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…