2022 Top Scholar Award winners

<Please note that parts of the transcript are temporarily unavailable>

Rangatira Connor offers mihi and karakia <Greetings and karakia temporarily unavailable>

Rangatira Connor Can I please ask all of the ones receiving awards today to stand?

<Karakia>

Just a little bit of a understanding of what that karakia is.

That karakia talks about te kura e whuna with now ancestral korero,

we talk about this piece of knowledge that is hidden te kura tipu nei,

the piece of knowledge that is growing, te kura tawhito,

the piece of knowledge that is old, te kura ahu mai Hawaiki,

the piece of knowledge that comes from Hawaiki, where we once came from ourselves.

You are kura all of you.

You have have done what you have done, learned what you have learned and have excelled in everything you have done.

Ko koutou ngā kura o te apopo. Ko koutou ngā rangatira o Aotearoa.

E kore mutu te whaka mi aki koutou. Nau mai, tau mai raro i ngā ao o tanga i te raukura o parihaka te raukura o te rangimarie te raukura o te whiti orongo mai o to kaka i no reira i ngā mana i ngā reo i ngā rauranga tiro mai nei o i te motu nei, ko te kura kura tenei i te tenei i te tiaua aititi, no reira, tenei koutou, tenei koutou, katoa.

<Waiata>

Jann Marshall Tenei koutou katoa.

Kei te manawhenua tenei koutou.

Kei te Rangatira Connor tenei koe mo te karakia mo te mihi whakatau. Kei te mihi.

<Mihi temporarily unavailable>

Ko Jann Marshall tōku ingoa.

Ata marie koutou and welcome to the New Zealand Scholarship  Top Scholar Awards Ceremony.

I'm Jann Marshall and I'm the Deputy Chief Executive Assessment at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

And it is indeed an honor to be here today, as we celebrate the top scholars for the  school year.

As the MC for today's event. I'd like to run through a few housekeeping matters, but before we do that, could I all ask you all to stand as we acknowledge, the tragic events at Whangarei Boys High School and we think of all of those impacted by this terrible event. Et tu.

<Minute of silence>

You'll find in the programme that you have a copy of the proceedings on page two of your program. 

Just a few housekeeping details.

Toilets can be found at the back of the Grand Hall entrance down the marble stairs, and to your right on arrival, you were issued with a visitor's sticker. Please assure that it's clearly visible and don't remove or discarded until you leave the parliament.

In the unlikely event of an emergency, we will follow the instructions of the parliamentary staff and if we do have to exit, it will be down through the main entrance and we'll assemble under the statue of
Seddon and let's hope it's not raining.

I hope you have already switched your phones to silent and just a bit of information about our official photographer.

We'll take photos as each student, is presented with their award and we'll then send the photos out to our award winners. I have said to the students, it's your moment.

Take the time to turn around and look at your whanau and your teachers.

At the end of the ceremony, group photos will be taken back in the legislative council chamber next door.

This is for the students and officials and time is of the essence.

So what I've asked the students to do is go directly out there.

There will be time afterwards for those informal photos to be taken and when I talk about that, we ask that no photos are to be taken within Parliament buildings with exception of in here in the legislative council chamber.

So if you could restrict your photos to in here or in in there later on where this event is taking place.

The exterior grounds of Parliament also fine for the photography, but we'll worry about the weather.
I'd now like to invite the chair of NZQA's board, the Honorable Tracy Martin to speak and begin the proceedings.

Tracy Martin" Tenei koutou, tenei koutou, tenei tatou katoa. <Mihi temporarily unavailable>

Ko Tracy Martin taku ingoa.

Good morning. Welcome.

Thank you for the welcome here and grounding us in this place and setting the wairua for today acknowledging and blessing and capturing the hopes that we all have as a nation for the young people that are here, and also in capturing their possibility and who has supported them and where they have come from up to this point. 

As the chair of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Top Scholar Awards ceremony.

Last year, almost 6,400, students sat New Zealand Scholarship with 2,004  students awarded one or more scholarships.

Today we recognise the highest achievers. I will soon present Top Subject Scholar awards for the highest achieving students in each scholarship subject, the Honorable Jan Tinetti, Minister of Education, will then present the  Premier Awards before the Prime Minister joins us to announce the highest scoring student overall who will receive the Prime Minister's Award for Academic Excellence.

In addition, in addition to welcoming the people we are honoring today, I would especially like to recognise their whānau, Mums, Dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents, their school principals and their teachers, including those of you who are joining by livestream to the Members of Parliament that are joining us today.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to acknowledge and support your top students.

As part of our work with secondary schools NZQA administers New Zealand Scholarship, which is overseen by the technical Overview Group assessment, an expert academic advisory group from its foundation.

Until recently, this group has been chaired by Emeritus Professor Gary Hawke, who is with us today, and so thank you Gary.

I'd like to thank publicly thank you again for the time and service you have given, to education as a whole, but particularly also to this particular process.

The technical overview group assessment is now chaired by Associate Professor Jenny Posco, who also joins us today. Thank you Jenny, for the work that you are doing.

Successful candidates for Scholarship are expected to demonstrate the capacity for abstraction and generalization depending on the subject. Students also apply advanced content knowledge and display breadth and depth of understanding. In addition, high levels of analysis and critical thinking are required.

Candidates may also need to demonstrate convincing communication and original or sophisticated solutions to complex situations.

Our top scholars have shown extraordinary ability across those areas. As you know, success is not just measured by what you achieve, but by how you achieve it. At NZQA one of our core values is manākitanga, caring for and valuing others.

This value is strongly reflected in what teachers and principals have told us about today's award winners.

The young people in this room have every opportunity to be global leaders in science, engineering, business, healthcare, could even say politics, or any other field that they set their hearts on.

I encourage you to continue expressing manākitanga in your studies and your work and to remember your whānau, your schools and others who have supported you.

I also suggest you express manākitanga towards those who challenge you. We are as a world having difficulty with that at the moment when someone challenges us, it is the moment when we need to sit and listen and absorb and then use our logical, rational thought to enter into those conversations.

Your achievements in Scholarship have already shown how challenges can help you learn and grow.

I look forward to seeing what you can achieve with the opportunity before you and the bravery to face challenges with manākitanga. In your heart, in te reo Māori, there is a whakatauki or a saying:

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou

Or, seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing.

To our 2022 top scholars, it is my honor to acknowledge your success and I urge you to continue to seek after learning.

Nō reira, tenei koutou katoa.

Jann Marshall: Thank you, Tracy, for your welcoming words.

On now to the presentation of the Top Subject Scholar awards. The Top Subject Scholar awards are presented to the highest achieving student in each individual scholarship subject. There are 36 Top Subject Scholar awards, which will be presented by our Board chair.

I'd like to invite NZQA’s Ruth Cameron to read the names of our Top Subject Scholar award winners.

Ruth Cameron: The following students are the top scholars from the  New Zealand Scholarship examinations.

The top scholar for Accounting is Tayla Prestidge from from OneSchool Global. Tayla is unable to join us today, but we will applaud her anyway.

The top scholar for Agricultural and Horticultural Science is Dylan Barker, Lindesfarne College.

The top scholar for Art History is Jack Barnett, Westlake Boys High School.

The top scholar for Biology is Carol Khor Shun Ting, Burnside High School.

The top scholar for Calculus is Nicholas McKinlay, St.Kentigern College.

The top scholar for Chemistry is Oscar Xu, Wellington College, Oscar is unable to join us today, so my apologies. he top scholar for Chinese is Oscar Shoe.

The top scholar for Classical Studies is Shuxin Guo, Hillcrest High School.

And Ethan, I apologize to you, I missed you. The top scholar for Chemistry is Ethan Lee, Auckland Grammar School.

The top scholar for Dance is Minh Anh Tran, Western Springs College.

The top scholar for Design is Dana Alombro, Botany Downs Secondary College.

The top scholar for Design and Visual communication is Jett Lee, Glendowie College.

The top scholar for Drama is Molly Tate, Avondale College.

The top scholar for Earth and Space Science is Sarah Yavari, Rangitoto College.

Thank you.

The top scholar for Economics is Daniel Johnston, Auckland Grammar School.

The top scholar for English is Sophia Drew, Takapuna Grammar School.

The top scholar for French is Hannah Wilson. Raphael House, Rudolph Steiner School.

The top scholar for Geography is Joanna Li, St. Paul's Collegiate School.

The top scholar for German is Nanding Wang, Westlake Boys High School.

The top scholar for Health and Physical Education is Michael Yao, Auckland Grammar School. Michael is also the winner of our next award, so we will present this as well.

The top scholar for history is Michael Yao, Auckland Grammar School.

The top scholar for Japanese is Yusef Elnahas, Christ’s College.

The top scholar for Latin is Brena Merz, St Cuthbert’s College.

The top scholar for Media Studies is Madison Brokenshire, Papamoa College.

The top scholar for Music is Oliver Garner, Westlake Boys High School.

The top scholar for Painting is Yeyeon Kwak, Epsom Girls Grammar School.

The top scholar for Photography is Phoenix Mikaele, Liston College.

The top scholar for Physics is Michael Lin, Hamilton Boys High School.

The top scholar for Printmaking is Jonathan Dransfield, Wellington High School.

The top scholar for Religious Studies is Grady Kenix, Burnside High School.

The top scholar for Samoan, Pouvi Iakopo, De La Salle College.

The top scholar for Sculpture is Nyle Turuwhenua, Pukekohe High School.

The top scholar for Spanish is Andrew Yu, King's College.

The top scholar for Statistics is Ashley Huddart, Rangitoto College.

Ashley is unable to join us today.

The top scholar for Te Reo Māori is Hineawa Hohepa-Gardiner, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu

The top scholar for Te Reo Rangatira is Te Arikirangi Paekau, Ngā Taiātea Wharekura.

The top scholar for technology is Tom Edwards, St. Andrews College.

This concludes the top scholar list for 2022.

Jann Marshall: Thank you Tracy and Ruth, and congratulations again to the Top Subject Scholar award winners.

I'd like to introduce the musicians we have joining us here today from Tawa College.

Tawa College has a special place in my heart because that's where I started my teaching career. I'd also like to acknowledge, Murray Cameron,who is the head of music, at Tawa who is here today supporting the students.

Today we have, Micah Langham on drums, Simon Langham on keys, Joe Brown on bass, Noah Walker on lead guitar, Davey Boy on saxophone and vocals.

All five of the members are in the school choir Blue Notes, which won gold at last year's Big Sing nationals. They're also part of the school jazz band, which successfully performed at the National Jazz Bandit competition last year together, they formed the band attack of the Cuties and they're going to perform an original song for us called Bangers and Ash, which they wrote together and recently performed for the first time at the Wellington Relay for Life in Trentham.

<Music plays. Lyrics unavailable>

Jann Marshall: Thank you. Thank you to our musicians. That was astounding, outstanding. I mean.

It's now my great pleasure to welcome the Minister of Education, the Honourable Jan Tinetti, who will speak to us before presenting the Premier Awards.

Honourable Jan Tinetti: <unclear>

It's such a pleasure to be here today. I have to say that I filled in for last year's Minister of Education, in this event and it's probably become one of my favourite events of the calendar to be involved with because of the amazing young people that we are here to celebrate.

So to each of you, congratulations at being acknowledged as one of New Zealand's top scholars and
it's a remarkable accomplishment even made more so because the last three years have been so challenging in many ways with significant disruption in all aspects of life, including, and I say including, but probably particularly in education that you have achieved so highly is a testament to your perseverance and resilience.

It is also a reflection of the extraordinary support provided by schools, teachers, and whanau. I am pleased that so many parents, teachers, and siblings can share in the celebration.

Nau mai, haere mai, welcome.

Today I'm delighted to present the 11  Premier Awards, but I particularly want to acknowledge Janet Guo and Ryaan Sidhu who are receiving this award for the second year. When I read that, I just couldn't get over what an incredible achievement that is.

So congratulations to you. The commitment that you have shown is just exceptional.

Each of the Premier Award winners received at least four scholarships at outstanding level in  or three scholarships at outstanding level with four additional scholarships.

This level of success requires commitment, hard work, and extraordinary ability.

Premier Award winners are recommended by NZQA’s technical overview group assessment.

In addition to being academic champions, each of you is involved in a range of activities including service, sport, music, and supporting your peers in their own study.

I think this is the bit that I love when I, I read the notes about you and I love reading the most,
is everything else that you are involved with. In fact, our Premier award winners include a national representative in Rubik's Cube, a distance runner, a published children's author, a CHO, at least two interact leaders.Yay. I was an interact leader myself, so well done and an accomplished pianist and this is one that I thought, wow, that you had the time to do this as well.

A Coast to Coast competitor to today.

We recognise your resilience, your efforts, and your achievement in 2022. And as I think I said last year too, I do have to wonder what the future holds for you.

I did note this time that many of you have set your sights on a path in medicine or health,
and I was particularly pleased to see that because the events of the last few years have shown just how critical that profession is to us all.

But wherever your paths lead, I trust you'll draw inspiration from this moment.

Just as those of us celebrating with you are inspired by your success, there is a whakatauki:

Kua hua te marama

which recognises that something has completed a full circle.

While the cycle has come to an end I would encourage all of you to continue seeking knowledge and I wish you all the very best.

Nō reira, tenei koutou, tenei koutou, tenei tatou katoa.

Jann Marshall: Thank you, Minister Tinetti. Now to the presentation of the Premier Awards.

The Premier Awards will be presented by Minister Tinetti with their names being read out by NZQA’s Ruth Cameron.

Simon Geertsma, Westlake Boys High School, Simon, sorry.

Simon achieved outstanding Scholarships in Calculus, English and Physics and Scholarships in Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Economics and Health and Physical Education.

Simon is known as Westlake Boys High School's Cubist Extraordinaire.

I had to look that up and he was ranked third in New Zealand in the three by three speed cubing discipline. In an update to his biography listed in the official program, Simon now plans to enjoy a gap year in 2023  and will begin his tertiary education in 2024 . He now plans to study Mathematics.

Congratulations, Simon

Shuxin Janet Guo, Hillcrest High School.

Janet achieved outstanding Scholarships in Biology, Classical studies, English and Geography. She was Top Subject Scholar for Classical Studies and achieved Scholarships in Agriculture and Horticulture, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese Earth and Space Science, Health and Physical Education, Physics and Statistics.

The Principal of Hillcrest High School, Kel Whiting, describes Janet as a top academic student, also heavily involved in the extracurricular life of the school.

He notes this is her second visit to the Top Scholar awards ceremony and that she gained an amazing 21 Scholarships in the last two years. Congratulations, Janet.

Hunter Haynes, Westlake Boys High School.

Hunter achieved outstanding Scholarships in Classical Studies, Economics, English and Media Studies and Scholarships in Agriculture and Horticulture, Art History, Earth and Space, Science, History, Religious Studies and Statistics.

Hunter's teachers at Westlake Boys High School describe him as an extraordinary all rounder who goes above and beyond what is usually expected of a high school scholar, a high school student.

He has been selected as the 2023 A. Robertson Scholar, which will see him attend Duke University, one of the leading universities in the US. Congratulations, Hunter.

Daniel Johnston, Auckland Grammar School.

Daniel achieved outstanding Scholarship in Economics, English history and Statistics. He was Top Subject Scholar for Economics and achieved Scholarship in Calculus.

Tim O'Connor, Headmaster of Auckland Grammar School describes Daniel as a true intellect of the highest calibre, a true intellectual of the highest calibre, who combines ruthlessly logical reasoning with creative thoughtfulness.

He's enthused by the prospect of challenge, demonstrating adaptability and composure under pressure and persevering patiently until he achieves success. Congratulations Daniel

Carol Khor Shunting, Burnside High School.

Carol achieved outstanding Scholarship in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, and Statistics. She was Top Subject Scholar for Biology and achieved Scholarships in Design and Visual Communication, English and Physics.

Rebecca O’Laughlin, acting deputy principal of Burnside High School describes Carol as an exemplary student who pursues excellence in all aspects of her life. She was outstanding in her academics, academic achievements, and she was also an inspiration to other students. Congratulations Carol.

Joanna Li, St. Paul's Collegiate School.

Joanna achieved outstanding Scholarship in Chemistry, English, Geography, History and Statistics. She was Top Subject Scholar in Geography and Achieved Scholarships in Calculus, Earth and Space Science, Health and Physical Education and Physics.

Joanna is described by her teachers at St.Paul's Collegiate School as beyond reproach in her attitude to her studies and schooling in general. Her thirst for knowledge and giving her best are at the core of her academic demeanor. Congratulations Joanna.

Michael Lin, Hamilton Boys High School.

Michael achieved outstanding Scholarship in Calculus, Chemistry, English, and Physics.

He was Top Subject Scholar in Physics and achieved Scholarship in Biology.

Charlton Thomas, assistant principal, data and achievement, describes Michael as an exceptional young man across the board. He is naturally gifted academically, but he works exceedingly hard to reach his potential.

He is also a very kind and considerate young man who is respectful to those around him. Congratulations, Michael

Deboprana Mallick, Mount Albert Grammar School.

Deboprana has achieved outstanding Scholarship in Calculus, Earth and Space Science and Economics and Scholarships in Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics.

Patrick Drum, headmaster of Mount Albert Grammar School, describes Deboprana as a highly gifted student in all areas of the curriculum, who takes every opportunity to extend herself.

He notes her potential in Mathematics was recognised as a Year 9 student when she was accelerated two years ahead to sit NCEA Level 1 Mathematics.

Congratulations, Deboprana.

Ryaan Sidhu, Auckland Grammar School.

Ryaan achieved outstanding Scholarship in Calculus, Chemistry, Physics and Statistics and Scholarships in Biology, Earth and Space Science, English, Geography, Health and Physical Education and History.

Tim O'Connor, headmaster of Auckland Grammar School describes Ryaan as combining an innate analytical ability with a rigorously organized and diligent attitude to produce reliably superb results to his peers.

He's an academic role model and he has frequently spoken of by junior students with a sense of awe. Congratulations, Ryaan.

Corin Simcock, St. Andrews College.

Corin achieved outstanding Scholarship in Calculus, Chemistry and Technology and Scholarships in Biology, Geography, Physics and Statistics.

Christine Layton, rector of Saint Andrews College describes Corin as an outstanding young man who exemplifies the qualities and attributes of an all-round student. His aspirations, commitment, humorous, humility, and compassion are a unique blend which will see him step up to make a positive difference to the world and years to come. Congratulations Corin.

Michael Yao, Auckland Grammar School.

Michael achieved outstanding Scholarship in English, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History and Physics. He was Top Subject Scholar in Health and Physical Education and History and achieved Scholarships in Art, History, Calculus, Chemistry and Earth and Space Science.

Tim O'Connor, headmaster of Auckland Grammar School describes Michael as defining himself by interdisciplinary capacity, inventive facility, imposing innovative solutions to problems and maturity. He has repeatedly distinguished himself on a national level and was held in the highest esteem by both his peers and staff alike. Congratulations Michael.

This concludes the New Zealand Scholarship Premier Awards for 2022.

Jann Marshall: Thank you, Minister Tinetti, and congratulations again to all our Premier award winners. Your achievement is of the highest standard in the country.

It is now time for the final award of the day.

I'd like to invite the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Chris Hipkins to speak and present the Prime Minister's Award for Academic Excellence.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga ma, tenei koutou, tenei koutou, tenei koutou katoa.

Good morning everybody. It is absolutely delightful to be able to join you here at Parliament this morning to present the Prime Minister's Award for Academic Excellence.

Firstly, however, I want to acknowledge all of you, the award recipients for your outstanding achievements. Each of you will already be starting on your next adventures, including further education, rewarding careers and involvement in your communities.

This is a really exciting time for you and I encourage you to make the most of it to the teachers, principals, and whanau who are here to celebrate with you.

Than, you for all that you have done to support these outstanding young New Zealanders.

Turning now to the Prime Minister's Award for Academic Excellence, which of course is what you are all waiting for. This award recognises the top scoring student in 2022’s New Zealand scholarship examinations.

It is the highest accolade a student can aim for at secondary school, our winner has excelled not just academically, but also in their sporting endeavors and they've given back to their peers and to their community.

It's my honor to announce this year's winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Academic Excellence is Michael Gao from Auckland Grammar School.

Stand right there. Stand right there.

Before I finish presenting the award, Michael is a New Zealand School's debating championship winner, an international finalist in the ethics Olympiad, and he's the captain of the school Kendo team.

Auckland Grammar School Principal Tim O'Connor, says that Michael's profound sense for the dignity of others, his willingness to give grace and his desire to support communal interest, have all clearly manifested throughout his extracurricular involvements in the school.

Reflecting on Michael's academic achievements, Mr. O'Connor says that Michael has always simultaneously embodied a renaissance spirit of sprawling interest while retaining an abiding respect for the depth that comes with specialization.

Michael has received outstanding Scholarships in English, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History and Physics. He was also awarded Scholarships in Art History, Calculus, Chemistry and Earth and Space Science, and was Top Subject Scholar for History and Health and Physical Education.

Congratulations, Michael, and well done.

Michael Gao: Hello everyone, tenei koutou katoa. I'm really, really humbled to be here and I just wanted to acknowledge some people without whom I wouldn't be here.

So first to my family, to my parents, and especially my late grandfather who supported me more than I could ever ask for. And thank them.

Thank you so much to my friends who infected me with their passion for learning, who made me a better student and I think more importantly, a better person.

Thank you, to my teachers, Ms. Foster and Mr. Jennings, in particular, but to all of them, thank you so much for having classes which not only taught me the Arts or the Sciences, but why we say scientific community, because I think I learned there that we learn from each other and we support each other and we inspire each other, and that's why I'm so humbled to be here because I look at everyone here.

I look at friends, old friends, new friends, new faces, and I see so much promise and inspiration, so much desire to be better for each other and to be kinder to each other, and that's why I'm really grateful.

Thank you so much, <unavailable> everyone.

Jann Marshall: Congratulations, Michael. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister and congratulations to our winner again for his achievements.

Ladies and gentlemen, that brings us to the close for our ceremony and we will all sing the national anthem. I'll then ask Connor McLeod to close us officially, if you could please all stand for the national anthem to be led by the student musicians from Tower College.

<God Defend New Zealand plays>

<Connor McLeod’s closing words are temporarily unavailable>

Thank you everyone. Students, Prime Minister Hipkins, Minister Tinetti, and Tracy, our Board chair, if you could please make your way to the legislative council chamber for official photographs.