Eight young Otago people have won awards in the 2017 New Zealand Youth Awards.

The awards recognise young New Zealanders who have achieved outstanding results and given back to their communities, as well as those who have made a significant contribution to the support of young people.

Kelly Young (20) and Jo Mohan (19), both of Dunedin, won a Change Maker Cultural Award for co-founding the University of Otago Students Without Borders Club, which helps refugees integrate into the Dunedin community.

Damon Lillis (21), of Dunedin, won a Working for Youth Award for his work on the board of the Playhouse Children's Theatre and has directed several plays which helps young people to increase their confidence and self-esteem.

He also co-ordinates the Aspire programme which helps young people from low decile schools find out more about University life.

Bokyong Mun (20), of Dunedin, also won a Working for Youth Award for her support and development of the United Nations Youth Council.

Fawzan Dinnunhan (24), of Dunedin, won a Giving Back Award for his contribution to research and improving a number of key IT platforms for the Spinal Cord Society - a non-profit organisation that studies the use of stem cells as a cure for type-1 diabetes.

Leo Munro-Heward (16), of Wanaka, also won a Giving Back Award for his establishment of the Queer Straight Alliance in Wanaka, which aims to raise awareness and support.

Holly Robinson (22), of Dunedin, won a Youth with Disability Award for representing New Zealand as the flag bearer in the opening ceremony for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

She also broke the world record for the F46 javelin, and placed second overall.

Casey Davies-Bell (23), of Dunedin, won a Leadership Award for establishing Global Energy Impact Assessment (Geia) Ltd - a New Zealand based start-up company which aims to accelerate New Zealand's transition towards a sustainable future.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye said about 190 nominations from around the country were received, and 50 were given awards at a ceremony in Parliament last night.

''The calibre of the award winners in the new Youth Enterprise category was outstanding, with the recipients including a number of under-20-year-olds who have founded successful businesses which have achieved significant social or business impact, both locally and internationally,'' she said.

''It's particularly encouraging to see the way these young leaders and entrepreneurs have embraced new technology and social media, to develop innovative new approaches to achieve their business or social vision.

''When you look at the drive, skills, compassion and integrity evident in the winners across all the categories, it's clear that our young people have enormous talent and potential, and the future of our country is in safe hands.''

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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Eight from Otago receive NZ youth awards - Otago Daily Times