Winning Canterbury Youth Tackle Big Issues at 2021 Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Regional Awards

On 27 October, 12 secondary school teams came in one after the other for a day of exciting Dragons Den style pitches, hosted at regional partner Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Christchurch campus.

Splash for Change from St Margaret’s College, and Food Fight from Cashmere High School impressed a panel of industry-connected judges with their entrepreneurial aptitude – winning first place for their respective sub regions Canterbury Ōtākaro North and Canterbury Ōtākaro South.

Both winning teams will go on to compete against each other and represent their regions in the YES National Finals on 15 December, due to take place online.

With charity at the heart of its mission, Splash for Change makes high quality ‘drink bottles with a difference’. For their business 50% of the profit from each bottle is donated to a specific charity it represents, with colours or slogans to match. The business has an active presence selling drink bottles online which supports its three chosen charities: the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Educating Girls Globally – a charity set up by two St Margaret’s College alumna.

Food Fight aims to tackle obesity issues in New Zealand by equipping school children with knowledge about their food and nutrition, through a fun educational card game which also incorporates spelling, reading and Te Reo Māori. The business idea was inspired by a student in the team who struggled with weight issues when he was younger.

This year’s Regional Awards were held online with an audience of 183 tuned into the YouTube livestream, including groups of teams, teachers, family and friends, all keen to celebrate the students’ 2021 YES journey. 

The regional finals’ judging panel included Ara’s Innovation Manager Tracey McGill, along with Rachel Triplow (Founder of aRc Legal), Lawrence Smith (Head of Ideas at Five Ideas) and Joris de Vocht (Business Advisor for Canterbury Employer’s Chamber of Commerce).

Judge Rachel Triplow said, “The one thing that stood out to all the judges was the confidence that these students had. We all wish we had something like YES when we launched our own businesses and when we were in school. The amazing skills they’re learning and the insight they bring is legs above other businesses we see in our own jobs.”

There was a theme of teams prioritising consideration of sustainability and communities, across a wide range of game-changing products including a new platform for New Zealand musicians, and an electronic business card.

Idoia Alday Gonzalez, YES Canterbury Regional Coordinator said, “I continue to be humbled by our YES youth. Their awareness of social issues, their passion and resourcefulness to find solutions and drive change - this all shines through our two regional winners.”

“Although there could only be two winners, all the finalists made themselves, their whanau, schools, communities and us proud,” she says. 

Ara is a proud regional partner of YES as the programme aligns closely with Ara's experiential learning model, which includes workplace training, internships/placements, apprenticeships and partnerships with industry - all to prepare graduates for the real world.

Full list of Award Winners:

• Ara Institute of Canterbury YES Regional Excellence Award for Customer and Market Engagement: Phunki (St Andrew's College)
• Ara Institute of Canterbury YES Regional Excellence Award for Finance: Upcycle Tiedowns (Cashmere High School)
• Ara Institute of Canterbury YES Regional Excellence Award "Spirit of YES": Pouaka Pī (Waitaha School)
• Ara Institute of Canterbury YES Regional Distinguished Mentor Award: awarded to Dale James for his work as a mentor with YES team Buddy Bites
• Powell Fenwick YES Regional Excellence Award for Sustainability: Buddy Bites (Cashmere High School)
• Cyclone YES Regional Excellence Award for Enterprising Technology: STAP Ltd (Cashmere High School)
• Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise YES Regional Excellence Award for Social Enterprise: Danger Danger (Cashmere High School)
• Baldasso Cortese Noordanus YES Regional Excellence Award for Innovation: Danger Danger (Cashmere High School)