The energy was electric as the Young Innovators Awards yia! reached its thrilling finale on the night of August 28 in Tauranga.

This eagerly anticipated event is one of the highlights of the year for local schools, the Bay of Plenty business community and Priority One to celebrate and recognise the next generation of bold thinkers.

The night capped off a transformative programme that connects ambitious students with a vibrant innovation community, equipping them with future-ready skills and igniting their potential for success in tomorrow’s workforce.

Taking home the Senior Supreme Winner’s award was year 13 Aquinas College student, Erin Moore with her project Kaitiaki Tech – an app that locates places to safely recycle old technology through incentivisation while educating users on the importance of protecting our environment.

YIA Awards photo of Erin. Photo: Salina Galvan Photography.

Erin says she has entered the yia! Awards every year since she was in year 7, so to be the supreme winner was a proud moment.

“Our world is filled with technology, but people don’t think about where it eventually ends up.

“This app would help ensure less technology goes to landfill and more is recycled.

“It all came together in the last few weeks, and it wasn’t until I took a step back and looked at the end product that I felt so happy with myself.

“I encourage every student to get involved in yia! because it opens so many opportunities.

“It's about pushing yourself, meeting new people, and investigating your ideas. You never know where they might take you, and this is such a great programme to explore that."

Priority One’s yia! Project Manager, Meg Davis says the project was an absolute standout in terms of its creative thinking and proposed solution to solve a problem.

“Erin fully immersed herself in the idea, approaching it from all angles in order to bring it to life.

“Kaitiaki Tech is the epitome of what yia! is all about – fostering innovation and creative thinking in order to make some of life’s problems a little bit easier.

“And through this process, our rangatahi learn how to develop ideas through critical thinking, collaboration and communication – skills that are imperative not only in today’s work environment, but for whatever the future of work brings us in the future.

“While Erin took out the Supreme award in the senior category for 2024, I’d like to acknowledge everyone who entered in the first instance – that’s a significant step and I can’t wait to see the innovative creativity our rangatahi throw at us next year!” yia! is in its 15th year, with the design-thinking programme now considered Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest youth innovation programme.

“Since its inception, yia! has engaged tens of thousands of rangatahi from across the Western Bay of Plenty, resulting in the submission of more than 2000 innovative team projects.

“At the same time, more than 250 innovation leaders and businesses have been involved in the process,” says Davis.

“Everyone who has been through the programme is a leader, and many are already well on their way to excelling in their chosen careers. We’re so proud to help foster this talent.”

The night’s awards celebrated 77 finalists, selected from 128 entries, from seven different schools across the Western Bay of Plenty.

Forty-two judges from a wide range of local and regional businesses have been involved in the judging process.

“It’s incredible to see the young talent we have in the Western Bay. Like previous years, the calibre of entries this year was impressive, making it a tough job for all of our judges.”

“We continue to witness remarkable growth from the young minds here in the region. The innovation and creativity that comes through each year is nothing short of outstanding.

“Our rangatahi are passionate and thrive off the opportunity to connect and learn from some of our leading innovators.”

Priority One partners with Instep, Bluelab, Woods Agency, The Shine Collective and Cucumber to deliver the programme, with sponsors including James & Wells, Tauranga City Council, Robotics Plus, BECA, Page Macrae Engineering, Brother, Globex and the University of Waikato.

The winners on the night were:

People's Choice Award Winners

Intermediate: Clean Guard - Elliot Olsen from Aquinas College

Junior: Warmth Sage - Christiana Byrne, Glint Chloey Asi, Tristan Alberts from Otumoetai College

Senior: CC Amelia - Amaya Greene, Mia Olsen, Shiloh Warner, Skye Shaw from Mount Manganui College

Supreme Winner

Intermediate: Clean Guard - Elliot Olsen from Aquinas College

Junior: Sun Spotter - Elia Szulakowski and Mia Lowe from Aquinas College

Senior: Kaitiaki Tech - Erin Moore from Aquinas College

Second Place Winners

Intermediate: Micro Extract - Zach De Graaf from Aquinas College

Junior: Re-Boot- Hannah Anderson and Kiana Schoeser from Aquinas College

Senior: Power Off - Agnés Anderson, Indie Minshall, Lauren Harris from Otumoetai College

Third Place Winners

Intermediate: Practice Perfect Music Stand - Ava Gardner, Catherine Jung from Aquinas College

Junior: Snug Hemp - Alex Foot, Marlee Bowman, Taila Hester from Otumoetai College

Senior: CC Amelia - Amaya Greene, Mia Olsen, Shiloh Warner, Skye Shaw from Mount Manganui College

Category Winners

Creativity

Natures Net - Austin Fisken, Mehrab Singh, Tom Parkes from Otumoetai College

Communication

Study Buddy - Xavier Weatherley from Tauranga Boys’ College

Research

Orca - Lachlan Talbot from Aquinas College

Sustainability

Bin Recycling System (BRS) - Layla Carke, Hayley Holland from Papamoa College

Product Innovation Award sponsored by Globex

Re-Boot- Hannah Anderson and Kiana Schoeser from Aquinas Colleg