YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR 2012

 

 

Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson of Christchurch has proved to be one of the most valuable young citizens of Christchurch and New Zealand over the past 12 months. Sam began his invaluable contribution to the community many years ago but it wasn’t until the first shocking Canterbury earthquake in September 2010 that led to Sam rallying together thousands of students forming the Student Volunteer Army that then provided invaluable assistance after the devastating February quake last year.

Utilizing social networking skills, Sam created a Facebook page that brought the students, carrying shovels and wearing gumboots, onto the streets of Christchurch to help with the earthquake cleanup. Sam then worked with local authorities coordinating the students relief effort organising teams and equipment to help cleanup those areas most affected by the quake damage. The SVA has grown to have a support base of over 26,000 people and continues to provide a student volunteering community for Christchurch, both Earthquake related and unrelated.

Sam was also able to transfer his skills to help Japan after their devastating tsunami and earthquake, where he worked with Japanese students to help them set up a similar scheme. Sam’s ability to pull together resources and lead a team of volunteers inspired glowing recommendations from across the globe and contributed to a more positive image of students.

These voluntary contributions of long sleepless nights, taxing physical labour and strategic management and liaison puts him in the league with any major CEO or national leader but in true Kiwi spirit, Sam acknowledges any gratitude with quiet humility. 

Since these enormous efforts and contribution, Sam has kept to his determination to better the world, travelling to the Young Leaders International Forum in India. Here, he shared his knowledge of post disaster response to the planet’s brightest young leaders to aid in their endeavours and efforts across disaster prone areas of South & South East Asia.


Young New Zealander of the Year 2011 - Jamie Fenton

Jamie Fenton exemplifies the mantra that ‘Kiwi kids can do anything’. At just 17 years old, Jamie has a long list of achievements that reflect her willingness to take risks, learn from failure, and give everything she does her best effort. Jamie has become an outstanding role model for young New Zealand who are keen to achieve despite their age. She has demonstrated time and again that there is no reason to ‘wait until you’re older’ to accept a challenge, prove your potential, and achieve success.

Jamie gained School Certificate science at the age of 8, obtained a Certificate in Science Studies at the Western Institute of Technology at age 10, and had a scientific journalism article published in the Royal Society Journal at age 12. She is currently studying, and has completed a number of papers, through Massey University’s correspondence school after passing university entrance at age 13.

At age 10, Jamie invented a noise level meter for a school science competition which was recently developed into a Safe Sound Indicator that monitors classroom noise. The Safe Sound Indicator is currently being produced by the National Foundation for the Deaf and will be used to prevent hearing damage in children at schools and play centres across the nation.

As the lead student in the Ministry for the Environment Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy pilot project at Inglewood High School, Jamie wrote a compelling nomination document that won the school a regional conservation award.

A keen actor, Jamie has written material for shows as well as taking lead roles in two local amateur theatre groups. She also volunteers her time to support other activities within these groups.

Jamie manages her time between her school work, being a member of the Taranaki Youth Orchestra in which she plays the violin, chairing the New Plymouth District Council Youth Subcommittee, Massey University studies, acting, and karate for which she currently holds a yellow belt.

Jamie believes that life is not measured by successes, but the willingness to risk failure to improve yourself and the plight of others. While others may dismiss Jamie as ‘gifted’, she disagrees and would like other adults to see the true potential of young New Zealanders. Jamie believes she is not exceptional, just fortunate to have had opportunities to show what young people can really do if given the support they deserve.
 

Young New Zealander of the Year 2010 - Divya Dhar

Divya Dhar, from Auckland, is a campaigner for policy change, committed to bringing attention to social injustices and climate change.

Following a history of youth activism, the 24 year old twin, who has just qualified as a Medical Doctor, created a precedent for forming alliances between medical students and wider humanitarian organisations such as the Global Poverty Project.

Divya became involved with the United Nations Youth Association of NZ (UNYANZ) at a young age and went on to become its first National Conference Director and Auckland Vice President. She currently serves as Vice President of the NZ Medical Students' Association (NZMSA).

A policy Divya wrote for NZMSA to combat the problem of doctor drain has been adopted by the government, enabling young doctors to be reimbursed up to $50,000 if they work in an area of need.

On entering medical school, Divya founded HealtheX, a research group bringing together 250 presenters and participants to showcase their research on health and develop student and faculty camaraderie. In 2007, she was instrumental in sending the first New Zealand delegation to the International Federation of Medical Students' Association, the only student organisation represented in the United Nations. Divya gave a presentation on climate change at the event and through her efforts NZMSA was the first New Zealand organisation to join the Climate and Health Council Coalition, seeking to put pressure on government leaders ahead of Copenhagen.

Divya has been a consultant and speaker to the Manukau Indian Association Youth Development Project. In her early university years, she headed the youth rotary club Rotaract and was 2005 District Rotaract Representative, where she inspired the inception of a national Rotaract charity ball. She organised OXFAM's Biggest Coffee Break at the University of Auckland to promote Fair Trade, where she was also behind the STAND UP: UN Millennium Campaign which broke a Guinness World Record as millions around the world stood together to show support for eradicating extreme poverty. During her medical elective, she built houses for Costa Rica's poorest in a flood-ridden region and raised over $20,000 for the Accor Cure Kids Charity Race.

Awards Divya has received include the Future Leaders Programme Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Manukau Young Achiever's Award and the Zonta East Auckland Young Woman in Public Affairs Award. Her social enterprise business idea on improving cultural understanding won the University of Auckland Spark Aspire Entrepreneurship Challenge in 2005.
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