NFTE/Ahikaa 2009 Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher of the Year

Winner, 2010 NFTE Teacher of the Year Award

Congratulations to our Programme Director, Andrea Napier, for being selected as one of only 26 winners of the NFTE 2010 Teacher of the Year Award!

Andrea became a Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher (CET) in 2008.  Since then she has become a familiar face to many Ahikaa programme participants. An experienced business woman and teacher, Andrea has devoted enormous efforts and expertise to conveying business knowledge, tools, and motivation to apply them. She established, managed and taught a variety of Ahikaa programmes to a wide variety of groups throughout the North Island.

Andrea faced stiff competition by the other 60 entrants internationally and well deserves the recognition her selection provides. Her prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to New York in April, where she will be honoured at The 17^th Annual Salute to the Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards.

NFTE/Ahikaa 2009 Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Business Plan)

Winner, Emerging Entrepreneur, 2010 Global Young Entrepreneur Awards

We are proud to announce that graduate Reuben Metcalfe (23) is New Zealand’s first ‘Emerging Entrepreneur’ category winner of the 2010 Global Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, sponsored by Goldman Sachs. Reuben is this year’s only Emerging Entrepreneur winner internationally.  He said he is “honoured by the opportunity to wave the flag for entrepreneurship in New Zealand”.

Reuben is looking forward to meeting businesspeople and media when he is in New York in April to be honoured at The 17^th Annual Salute to the Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards. Reuben’s prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to New York , a commemorative plaque, and a cash prize of USD$1000.

Reuben, who left school and home at 15, set up his company ‘Free Procurement’  after graduating from the NFTE/Ahikaa programme last year. Free Procurement saves small businesses and the NGO community money by making sure they get the best deal possible on anything they spend money on.  Unlike similar businesses, it is the service provider who is charged a fee rather than the business who hires him.

For more information or to benefit from his services, please email Reuben at reuben@freeprocurement.co.nz

Ahikaa 2009 Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Operational Business)

Maraki Kepa (21) grew up in Pomare, Lower Hutt, and still lives theire with her whanau, partner, and their young son.  Maraki, her mother, and her sister all graduated from the NFTE/Ahikaa programme in 2008.  Several other whanau members also undertook and completed NFTE/Ahikaa programmes in 2009.  Maraki and her family were featured in the Hutt News as an example of three generations (including her grandmother, mother, and siblings) undertaking business and further education together.

Maraki and her family have been operating the business that featured in their NFTE/Ahikaa business plans.  ‘Kororia Konnektionz’ provides a full catering service featuring contemporary hangi and Maori cuisine.