NZ Young Enterprise Company
Christchurch , New Zealand
Oceanic Fusion (Charlie Latulipe , Mathew Elia, Jordan Koloamatangi, Thomas Scott and Caleb Reweti) won the Ministry of Pacific Affairs National Award for Excellence in Pasifika Business and also our young men were named as the Lion Foundation NZ Young Enterprise Company for 2010.
The Principal of St. Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch Mrs Christine O'Brien, made the following announcement recently at the College Prize Giving
We were waiting on Wednesday night to hear the outcome of the National Young Enterprise Awards in Wellington at a Gala dinner with the Governor General, Ministers of the Crown and leaders of New Zealand's major corporations. I am delighted to announce that Oceanic Fusion (Jordan Koloamatangi, Thomas Scott, Caleb Reweti, Mathew Elia and Charlie Latulipe) won the Ministry of Pacific Affairs National Award for Excellence in Pasifika Business. This is a wonderful achievement in itself given that this is the first time a Pasifika team has entered from the South Island in the 30 year history of the competition. The team is a mix of Samoan, Tongan, Maori and Pakeha culture and their business practice has an underlay of Pasifika culture.
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Back Row (left to right): Perry Petelo (Teacher), Front Row (left to right): Jordan Kolomatangi (Student/Director), |
As well as receiving a national excellence award, the team were competing as the Canterbury regional winners against the other 24 regions for the NZ Company of the Year Award. Over 570 teams are involved in this competition. What a tremendous privilege it was to watch our young men named as the Lion Foundation NZ Young Enterprise Company for 2010. Our young men made history being the first Pasifika team ever to win the national title and also the second occasion in the 30 years of the competition that a South island team has won the overall award. The first time was in 2004 which was St Thomas of Canterbury College with StopCom.These young men are wonderful role models for all our students and our Pasifika students in particular. They have shown that perseverance in pursuit of a dream can hold great rewards.
I would like to extend thanks and congratulations to the coaches of the team, Mr David Ivory and Mr Peri Petelo, to their business mentors, Mr Keith Yardley and Mr Peter Petaia, Supervising Solicitor, Community Law Canterbury and to the families of these young men for supporting them in their quest.
The students won a total of $6,000, $3,000 of which will go to the school for the commissioning of a ceremonial lectern which will be designed and carved to represent Maori, Pasifika and Celtic spirituality. The remainder, in line with their business practice, to donate profits to a social justice cause, will be directed to the Pacific Islands for tsunami relief support.
I congratulate all the young men who were acknowledged last night for their achievement and effort and all those tonight who have worked hard during the year and whom we were unable to acknowledge. A special congratulations to our Dux and College Captain, Thomas Scott and to our College Captain for 2011, Henri Nelis.
