The awards, which celebrate the achievements of Maori youth across Otago, were held last night at the University of Otago College of Education auditorium. Waitaki Boys’ High School pupil Jack Dunshea (15) and his twin, Waitaki Girls’ pupil Laura Dunshea (15), were recognised alongside older sister Morgan Dunshea (17), who also went to Waitaki Girls’. Their cousin, Taieri College pupil Riana Haua (18), also received an award.
Grandparents Maire and Locky Matheson were at the awards and Mrs Matheson said she was "so proud".
Her own mother, who was 92, could not be at the awards but was "overwhelmed" when she heard the news, she said. The four had always been high achievers, she said.
Riana said it "feels pretty amazing" to receive a Young Achiever’s Award, and to get one with her family was "pretty awesome". Her mother Erin Keeley said all four were high-achieving academically and in other areas, such as sport, kapa haka and cultural fields.
This year there were 41 award winners from across Otago, consisting of tuakana (senior) winners from years 12 and 13 and junior recipients from years 9, 10 and 11. Morgan said it was "pretty humbling" the family had been recognised for all of their hard work in and out of school.
Special scholarships presented at the ceremony were four University of Otago "Hands-On" Scholarships, a University of Otago award for commitment to te reo Maori, as well as Waterwise Programme Scholarships. The ODT Award for Excellence in English was won this year by Katie Ratahi, from East Otago High School.
