University of Otago student Mitchell Harkness plans to put his recently-acquired skills to good use.
The 18-year-old health science student was one of 18 New Zealanders presented with the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award this month.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae gave out the awards at a ceremony in Auckland on May 11.
''It's quite prestigious. A lot of people drop off after bronze and Silver,'' Mr Harkness said.
He moved to Dunedin from Tauranga earlier this year to pursue a career in dentistry, and hoped to eventually undertake missionary work in Third World countries.
The award programme gave him many skills for future use, he said.
''My communication skills for public speaking have definitely improved, I've learnt how to teach and work with children, and I've learnt the guitar. It's just having that extra push or drive factor to get you going.''
Mr Mitchell started the programme aged 15 as a year 11 pupil of Tauranga Boys' College.
He gained bronze in 2010, silver in 2011 and late last year completed his gold tasks.
''Mum had done it as a girl and told me that it was a chance to meet new people and learn lifelong skills.''
Throughout 2012 he volunteered as the leader of a Christian boy scouts group, in which he ran activities for up to 15 children aged 6-8 years on Tuesday evenings.
He also played football for his school, learnt how to play the bass guitar and completed a three-day tramp of the Abel Tasman National Park for his Gold award.
''I'd never played an instrument before so it was a good goal, and now I've continued with the guitar.''
Mr Mitchell was the only Tauranga Boys' College pupil to get the accolade last year.
He travelled to the Philippines with a church youth group as part of a medical outreach team, which sparked his interest in helping those with little or no access to basic care.
''I would love to get into dentistry and use my skills to do missionary work in the Third World.''
