The 24th-annual Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards were hosted by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic.
Queen’s High School student Rīpeka Pōtiki, 18, said the ceremony was a great way for Māori students to "feel welcome and seen".
"Some students don't really have any of that at home or in their schools, so coming into a ceremony like Mana Pounamu, seeing haka tautoko (shows of appreciation) and hearing te reo Māori around them, it warms them a bit."
Ms Pōtiki won teina awards for the ceremony when she was in years 9 and 11, but this was the first time she received a tuakana (senior) award.
"I felt it was a big honour.
"It was pretty cool standing there with a teina (junior)."
The ceremony at the university last Thursday involved giving out awards to a teina and tuakana student from across Dunedin high schools.
There were 55 junior and senior award recipients celebrated at the ceremony and scholarships were presented to the senior award winners, including Māori entrance to the University of Otago.
Ms Pōtiki said the ceremony helped push her towards her goals and gave her "more opportunities in the future".
It also helped Ms Pōtiki form connections with the wider Māori community in Dunedin.
"Everyone's so supportive, everyone's cheering everyone on.
"It definitely helps with the haka tautoko, seeing other schools stand up for other schools. It's heartwarming."
Ms Pōtiki planned to take Māori studies and music at the University of Otago next year.
"High school is definitely my comfort zone.
"I'm terrified, but I’m also excited for a new journey and to see where all that takes me."
She hoped to use the extra study to become a te reo Māori teacher.
Ms Pōtiki’s advice for younger Māori students was to not "be afraid to be Māori".
"I know I struggled with it for a bit, but you just have to put yourself out there.
"You feel arrogant and you feel awkward, but really, you’re just trying to make a path for others behind you."
The event was a local initiative started by Kāi Tahu educated Alva Kapa in 2001 and was supported by the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic and the Ministry of Education, as well as the three local rūnaka – Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki.
Tuakana recipients: Louisa Helen Campbell-Lowe (Bayfield high school), Boston Setefano (Blue Mountain College), Monet Morrison (Columba College), Maddi Pask (Cromwell College), Caleb Ludlow (Dunstan High School), Maia Perry (East Otago High School), Max Porter (John McGlashan College), Hunter Moreton (Kaikorai Valley College), Isaac Kramers (King's High School), Te Aroha Goodlet (Lawrence Area School), Ally May Sharma (Logan Park), Tamati Whitaker (Otago Boys' High School), Izzy Edmonds (Otago Girls High School), Rīpeka Pōtiki (Queen's High School), Lloyd Manihera (Roxburgh Area School), Paige King (South Otago High School), Imogen Hornal (St Hilda's Collegiate), Sophia Mawson (St Kevin's College), Sean Liam Whaley (Taieri College), Sacha Swanson (Te Kura o Tititea, Mount Aspiring College), Elyssa Stapleforth-Hill (The Catlins Area School), Tūmai Campbell (TKKM o Ōtepoti), Arran Jack (AJ) Nixon (Tokomairiro High School), Patrick Cotter (Trinity Catholic College), Julius Gibson (Waitaki Boys High School), Aroha Wooldridge (Waitaki Girls High School), Awhi Watson (Wakatipu High School).
Teina recipients: Reagan Miller (Bayfield High School), Moana-Alev Manolya Turkmen (Blue Mountain College), Kiana Brown (Columba College), Lily Johnson (Cromwell College), Maddy Mannix (Dunstan High School), Lakaia Rangimarie Harris (East Otago High School), Leo Hill (John McGlashan College), Ethan Sinclair (Kaikorai Valley College), Lafa Tofiga (King's High School), Briar Hughes (Lawrence Area School), Fayth Kohine-Ataahua Rakatau Pulu (Logan Park), Mahalia Tapatu (Maniototo Area School), Marley Leevey (Otago Boys' High School), Brooke Beaman (Otago Girls High School), Lucy Carrington (Queen's High School), Kace Skipper (Roxburgh Area School), Rashaun Melvin (South Otago High School), Olivia Priemus (St Hilda's Collegiate), Manawa McGhie (St Kevin's College), Tarquin Tereva Barrett Tautua (Taieri College), Zoe Waddington (Te Kura o Tititea, Mount Aspiring College), Austin Morrison (The Catlins Area School), Tāwera Campbell (TKKM o Ōtepoti), Millanian Te Ao Rangi Makore Potae (Tokomairiro High School), Paige Clark (Trinity Catholic College), Hēmi Carroll (Waitaki Boys High School), Manaia Williams (Waitaki Girls High School), Thomasin Wright (Wakatipu High School).
