From over 200 entries, down to 50+ finalists, six young people joined the legends of New Zealand innovators and were selected as winners of the Young Innovator Awards for 2015. The sixth annual awards event has proven once again the talent and innovative vision of the Bay's young minds. This year we saw some stellar innovations across new categories like music, special needs, and fishing, as well as strong favorites marine and healthcare.
The awards night had a buzz of excitement as finalists awaited the announcement of the Young Innovator Awards winners for 2015. Beforehand we had a chance to explore the Western Bay at Work displays, downstairs at ASB Baypark, drinks and nibbles in hand. The crowd was then invited upstairs to hear about this years YIA programme and watch the awards ceremony. After an interview with Priority One's Greg Simmonds, ceremony masters Timothy Allan (Locus Research) and Steve Finnegan (Woods Creative) took the stage to announce the winners. Each category's judge joined them to chat about the winners' entry and how it stood out from the rest.
The keynote speaker Jenene Crossan, founder of nzgirl.co.nz and flossie.com, presented in a new format from previous years, interviewed by radio host Will Johnson, telling her story, secrets for success, and advice for pending graduates - "Learn to code." Good advice, considering nearly half of the finalist entries were app or web based projects.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 2015 Young Innovator Awards.
Here are the results:
Supreme Overall Award, sponsored by Page Macrae Kyle Brown
Offshore Rescue Craft Aotearoa ORCA
Junior Award, sponsored by BECA
Fergus Lellman and Lucy Maher, Aquinas College
Kids Safe
Highly Commended
Brook Coombes, Holly Miners, Manawa Te Ahuru-Quinn, Mount Maunganui College
Tap Cap
Senior Award, sponsored by Priority One
Hannah Payne, Tauranga Girls
Charlie's Handgels
AND Jaysha tippins, Tauranga girls
Spring Back road marker
Highly commended
Briar Patel, Aquinas College
Water play activity
Over 18s, sponsored by Plus Group Horticulture
Kyle Brown
Offshore Rescue Craft Aotearoa ORCA
Highly commended
Zak Meyers & Matthew Watkins
Soundswitch
People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Bayfair Shopping Centre
Briar Patel, Aquinas College
Water Play Activity
Internship Award, sponsored by Locus Research and Woods, The Creative Agency
Hannah Payne, Tauranga Girls
Charlie's Handgels
Check out some of the fun and photos of the winners on our Tumblr blog.
The Young Innovator Awards are brought to you by Priority One's Instep Programme, Locus Research, Cucumber & Woods - the Creative Agency.
