Youth focused design thinking program, delivered in the Western Bay of Plenty Clever eh!
The Young Innovator Awards (YiA) is a local awards programme for students in Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty to promote innovation. Each year we ask: Intermediate school students in Yr 7-8 to build 'Home Alone' style machine to complete the most simple of tasks; and secondary school students in Yr 9-13 to come up with an idea for an innovative product or service that make the world a better place.
27/02/2025
🚨We’re Changing!🚨
This Instagram account will soon be deactivated. But don’t worry, all the incredible work we’ve been doing will now be shared on
Make sure to follow us there to stay updated on everything we’ve got going on!
See you at
24/02/2025
😍😍😍
🔵 GIVEAWAY WITH Priority One 🔵
To celebrate our amazing members and shine a light on the incredible businesses here in Tauranga Moana, we’re giving away a fantastic prize pack to ONE lucky winner!
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
• $500 shopping spree at Tauranga Crossing 🛍️
• $200 New World mount voucher to use at any NW 🥗
• $100 voucher at Classic Flyers NZ 🛩️
• Brother NZ printer and scanner 🖨️
• Comvita New Zealand honey 🍯
All you have to do to enter is:
1. Follow us on our main platform Priority One – if you aren’t already!
2. Like this post
3. Tag a friend who’d you would share this prize with
4. Share this post onto your stories
BONUS: By following Priority One , you’ll stay in the loop for all our upcoming updates – don’t miss out!
*Please note, this is the SAME giveaway that is hosted on our Instagram, and only ONE prize pack to be won across both platforms. Enter on both to double your chances!
Giveaway not endorsed by Instagram. T&Cs apply. Prize must be picked up in person from Priority One, Tauranga City Centre. Winner announced 11/03/2025.
19/09/2024
We have so many amazing innovative companies right here in Tauranga, Bluelab are one of our Partners of yia!
Hear from Jono Jones, CEO at Bluelab
https://youtu.be/651Spv6adPI
17/09/2024
Winners of yia 2024 💡
📸
15/09/2024
Sponsor shoutout to Page Macrae Engineering,
They have been long supporters of yia! And we value their commitment to empowering the young innovators of tomorrow
Hear from Alan, CEO of Page Macrae Engineering
https://youtu.be/TqGhqmy2G9Y
13/09/2024
Reminiscing on the awards night!
See yourself? 👀
11/09/2024
Beca have been long supporters of yia!
And we are so lucky to have so many amazing organisations investing in the youth of tomorrow
Hear from Jeremy, Product Operations Manager from Beca Tauranga
https://youtu.be/ih6t4uhIJxc
02/09/2024
Big sponsor shoutout to University of Waikato - Tauranga The University of Waikato
Hear from Rosanne Ellis, Director Innovation and Impact
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edu41aUyHbI
Did you use the The Photobooth Lady on the Awards Night?
Here is the link to the gallery:
https://thephotoboothlady.queensberryworkspace.com/checkaccess/galleryslide/ZGV1AGplAwMwMwtjZmqyA2ZjBD%3D%3D/list
yia! Awards 2024 | The Photobooth Lady yia! Awards 2024 by The Photobooth Lady
29/08/2024
A snippet of the yia! 2024 Workshop!
Special thanks to Salina Galvan Photography
Spot yourself? Make sure you follow us on Instagram to keep up to date, and some tips and tricks for next year.
28/08/2024
A huge congratulations to all the finalists, and to the winners of the 2024 yia! Awards.
Here's a recap...
People's Choice Award Winners
Intermediate: Clean Guard - Elliot Olsen from Aquinas College Tauranga
Junior: Warmth Sage - Christiana Byrne, Glint Chloey Asi, Tristan Alberts from Ōtūmoetai College
Senior: CC Amelia - Amaya Greene, Mia Olsen, Shiloh Warner, Skye Shaw from Mount Maunganui 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 H**p - 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 Pāpāmoa College
Product Innovation Award sponsored by Globex
Re-Boot- Hannah Anderson and Kiana Schoeser from Aquinas College
!24 One