Te Oranga Haika, 9 was awarded a 2011 Young Leader Award at
Taupo Primary School. He received the award for his outstanding
work with the school's kapa haka group. Te Oranga has been the
leader of the kapa haka group for a number of years. The award
recognised Te Oranga for demonstrating qualities that Sir Peter
Blake did including integrity, determination and the will to
succeed, for being a good team builder and hard-working and knowing
how to have fun.
Deputy Principal Tracy Fraser said, "he has always stood out as
a leader and leads kids of all ages, some that are older than him.
The Award was presented by Sam Coxhead from Westpac Taupo during an
assembly as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Week.
Coxhead said, "it was just amazing to see the effort that the whole
school put in to make a really big deal of this award on the day.
Te Oranga was beaming with excitement and his whanau were just so
proud of him, particularly when he stood and gave his pepeha.