Source: Priority One

YIA Awards 2024. Photo / Salina Galvan Photography

An innovative app that directs people where to safely recycle their old technology has won this year’s supreme award at the prestigious Young Innovator Awards.

The annual Young Innovator Awards is a programme for intermediate and secondary-aged students in the Western Bay of Plenty to “celebrate and recognise the next generation of bold thinkers”, a media release on behalf of organisers said.

Students develop ideas and research solutions to create a new product or service and are mentored by Bay innovators and leaders.

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.

Erin said she had entered the 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 Young Innovator Awards project manager Meg Davis said the project was an “absolute standout” in its creative thinking and proposed solution to 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.”

The programme is in its 15th year, and Davis said the design-thinking programme was 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,” Davis said.

“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 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.”

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

Re-Boot – Hannah Anderson and Kiana Schoeser from Aquinas College