Caspar Levack – Wellington High School, Year 12
Caspar is such an enthusiastic advocate for rangatahi and the issues that affect them. He has been very active in local politics and youth advocacy as is a member of the Wellington City Council Youth Council.
Caspar is a student who shows initiative. As part of the recent elections for the student Board representative in 2025, Caspar hosted a candidate debate. This is an event that we have not had as part of the student representative elections before and kudos for Caspar for being able to host this event.
At last year’s General Election Caspar was responsible for 15% of the 40,000 phone calls and door knocks for the Green Party campaign in Wellington and got a personal shoutout from Tamatha Paul during her winning speech at the Green Party function. All this despite being too young to vote!
Caspar is also a writer and did a fantastic article for the Spinoff about what teens really think about vaping. He is part of the school's Waka Ama rōpū which competed successfully at both a regional and national level this year and has represented the school at the CSW Bouldering Championships and is a member of the school's rock climbing club.
He is a worthy recipient of this year’s Wellington City Council Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Student Award.
Jessica Tupai – St Mary’s College, Year 12
Jessica is an incredibly motivated student. She leads when she sees a need and is unafraid to step up and proudly represent the school.
Jessica is an outstanding public speaker. This year, she won the New Zealand Police Race Unity Speech awards and the Oratory Competition at O’Shea Shield.
She has used these and other speaking opportunities to share how real change can be made in Aotearoa when we are all proud of who we are.
She has inspired many students and adults in Wellington and New Zealand through her competition speeches, speaking on RNZ, and at events.
Jessica’s powerful speech at the Race Unity competition also inspired the NZ Teachers Council to learn more about how she has grown into such a powerful, confident speaker.
We are very proud of Jessica and the strong messages she gives the community about positive change.
Nevaeh Hickey – Tawa College, Year 11
Nevaeh is a pioneer with Girls Brigade Tawa. She supervises a group of girls with activities, including learning cultural skills and respect for other cultures.
She is working towards her Brigadier Brooch which requires 50 hours volunteer work and attending different Wellington companies to help out. She has also taken on the leadership of running an evening group that organises events.
She is a regular volunteer with events in the Tawa community including collecting for charity.
Nevaeh teaches students under the age of 8 to play piano, including supporting a student with a disability to learn and is a registered tutor with the Tawa Music Centre, teaching music theory.
Nevaeh entered the 2024 regional science fair and received a recognition award from ESR public health research.
She is involved in interclub bowls competitions with Johnsonville Club and was chosen for the Under 18 and Under 25 NZ development team.
At school Nevaeh is also a key member of the Yearbook committee and Maori Student Council.
Viktoria Havenith – Tawa College, Year 11
Viktoria is part of Youth Search and Rescue Wellington, completing courses in VHF Radio Day Skippers and First Aid.
She takes part in LandSAR courses like Tracking and Searching.
Viktoria is a Head Coach at her Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers Programme and assists with the training of lifeguards that will be on duty. She is a qualified lifeguard, crewperson and surf basic first aider and performs lifeguard duties during the summer.
Viktoria has also supported activities with her local kayak club and is a dedicated hockey player, playing for her school team and volunteering as assistant coach for one of the younger teams. She also takes on referee duties when needed.
She is also currently working towards her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award having gained her Bronze.
Seamus Geoghegan – St Patrick’s College, Year 11
Seamus’ contribution to St Patrick’s College has been exceptional.
He does a fantastic job as the school’s sound technician, giving up his time to set up all major masses, assemblies and prizegiving’s within the school.
In the role Seamus also gives of his own time to help set up sound equipment for any outside bookings in the school.
Seamus is also a dedicated librarian within the school supporting the team and working diligently in the background to ensure correct processes and procedures are followed.
Seamus demonstrates all of St Patrick’s College values daily and is a great student to have. The school are lucky to have an amazing student like Seamus.
Leo Petagna and Nelson Alemagna – Scott’s College, Year 12
Leo and Nelson have been industrious in pursuing several community-based projects. They had a vision of an equal start in education through a belief in community togetherness.
Together they founded and run ‘The Backpack Project’, which has raised over $1,300 in donations, and a further $3,000 at least in sponsorships and donated stationery.
This has enabled the gifting of almost 60 backpacks, fully equipped with stationery and books to help the transition for children in kindergarten moving to primary school who cannot afford the right equipment for an effective schooling experience.
The college have received grateful thanks from these kindergartens, acknowledging the important role these donations have played for their rangatahi.
The way Leo and Nelson have gone about providing this service is beautifully summed up by one of the kindergartens their backpacks went to.
“I’d like to acknowledge how friendly and respectful Leo and Nelson were. From the initial phone call on Wednesday and then meeting them in person on Friday, if they were my students or sons, I would be incredibly proud of them.”
In addition, Leo has a desire to combat the growing endemic in youth suicide and has created a clothing brand, Tomorrow Needs You, focused on raising awareness.
Misia Hosie – Queen Margaret College, Year 12
Misia successfully planned and initiated a QMC Years 6 to 8 Science Competition during Term 3 to advocate for young women in science.
She saw this as an opportunity to teach valuable skills such as public speaking and raising awareness of scientific issues that surround us. Her objective was to cultivate a love for STEM among younger students in our school and doing so in a safe environment where they could engage freely with their love of learning.
Misia enlisted an experienced university student to run a seminar on how to judge. This prepared the panel of senior student judges. Approximately 20 students participated and Misia organised awards to be presented at assembly.
Misia is also one of the two Year 12 Kura Council Representatives on our Kura Council, and as such advocates on behalf of her year group and contributes to or leads changes the student body determines are necessary across the school. This includes developing proposals and speaking with our School Leadership Team.
Misia is also in the school’s premier choir – Voces Luce, in the orchestra, plays badminton, does debating, in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme and was in the award-winning Physics Team.
Chloe Moreham-Smith – Queen Margaret College, Year 12
Chloe wrote and published a book titled ‘the cat the dogs and the painting’ that raised awareness for neurodiversity and gave this to schools in her local area.
She conducted a fundraiser to raise money for the publishing costs and enlisted a friend to produce the illustrations. The book’s purpose was to teach people the importance of being kind to those who are neurodiverse and empowers those that are neurodiverse to feel happier about themselves and their differences.
Chloe printed 6 books and distributed them to different schools in her local area. These schools included, Otari, Te Aro, Kelburn, Thorndon, QMC and Northland.
Chloe also does Debating, Student Volunteer Army, Afterschool Care Mentor, Badminton, Running Club and Junior School Cross Curricular Helper.
Meg Lange - Newlands College, Year 12
Meg is an impressive young person with the capacity to make a significant difference to others. An all-rounder with outstanding leadership and personal skills with a warm, genuine and caring personality.
As a leader and participant, she communicates, listens to ideas and suggestions, and will consider alternative points of view.
She is always positive and exudes a calmness that endears herself to others.
Meg has been involved in a diverse range of engagement, leadership roles and activities across the community.
She is a co-host and volunteer for Voice of Aroha; advisory group member for Te Tai Ohinga - Youth hub; youth leader for Merge Youth; on the Pride Week Advisory Group; a QSA School Leader and regional committee member and on the Curation committee for TedX Paparangi!
Meg’s leadership roles are understated; she is humble, dignified and respectful and the perfect recipient for this year’s Wellington City Council Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Student Award.
Meadow Hussey - Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna, Year 12
Meadow is a deserving candidate for the APW Student Award due to her strong dedication to both academic and personal growth.
As a committed student training to become a midwife, Meadow balances the demands of her studies with part-time work, all while maintaining a focus on her long-term career goals.
Proud of her Māori heritage, particularly her Ngati Porou roots, Meadow is dedicated to giving back to the Wellington community and making a meaningful impact through her future work. She strives to contribute positively to both her culture and the healthcare field, embodying the values of resilience, community spirit, and ambition.
Meadow has been a dedicated and active member of our kura community, consistently showing her commitment to supporting others. She has volunteered her time to various initiatives, offering mentorship and guidance to her peers and teina.
Meadow has played a key role in preserving and engaging others with the rich history, stories, and cultural significance of our whenua. Her leadership focuses on strengthening the identity and pride of rangatahi Māori.
As Communications Officer, Meadow’s leadership shines through. She has successfully organised and promoted initiatives that share the history of our area with student communities, ensuring that vital resources and information are accessible to those who need them most.
Meadow’s strong sense of responsibility makes her a positive role model and a valuable asset to both our kura and the wider community.
I have no doubt that Meadow and her team will continue to enhance cultural education for our students, fostering a deeper understanding of our traditions and a stronger connection to our roots.
Mihirangi Kohatu - Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna, Year 12
Mihirangi has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and service, both academically and within our wider school community.
During her time at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna, she has excelled in her studies while taking on key leadership roles within the school. In these roles, she has advocated for her peers, implemented a range of initiatives, and fostered a strong sense of unity among the kura whānau.
What truly sets Mihirangi apart is her remarkable ability to balance a demanding academic workload with extensive involvement in extracurricular activities, all while maintaining her dedication to giving back to the wider school community.
She embodies integrity, compassion, and responsibility, serving as a role model for her peers. Her exceptional contributions make her a deserving candidate for this award, leaving a legacy of service that will benefit our kura long after she graduates.
Recognising the value of education, Mihirangi has actively promoted health, well-being, and positive youth engagement, addressing issues important to young people in her community.
Through these efforts, she has become an integral figure, embodying the values of service, leadership, and compassion, and leaving a lasting, positive impact.
Her contributions reflect a deep sense of responsibility and a genuine desire to improve the lives of those around her.
Beyond academics, Mihirangi has been instrumental in leading several projects that have had a significant positive impact within our wider school community. Her leadership has inspired other students to get involved, creating lasting benefits for those in need. In addition to her studies, Mihirangi regularly volunteers, dedicating her time to mentoring younger students.
Her leadership in the kapa haka groups, both junior and senior, reflects her deep commitment to cultural service and the development of others.
Nive Baker, Rose Harnett, Clare McCleland, Anatakauri Thomson-Laulu - Wellington East Girls College, Year 12
These Year 12 students have stepped up this year to support our whānau māori, staff and students.
They have been outstanding in their leadership supporting students with Te Ao Māori, tikanga and kapa haka.
Their support has seen 80 students engage in kapa haka (a huge increase), haka competitions, waiata across the school, supporting staff to develop their skills and perform with the school.
These students have developed a well-run Te Wiki of Te Reo Māori campaign that engaged our school and community and included Te Reo Māori challenges, haka performances at Red Cross NZ and NZ Parliament, kai for sale, house haka competitions and more.
They designed a hoodie to fundraise for their trip in 2025 to Rarotonga and created a newsletter for whānau with links to support them with their own whānau language Development.