Niueans sponsored to Outward Bound

Two Niuean teenagers are in for a life changing experience in more than one way when they attend Outward Bound in July on an inaugural scholarship from New Zealand Mint.

Temperatures in the small Pacific island rarely fall below 20 degrees Celsius – at the top of the South Island at Anakiwa, temperatures at Outward Bound can drop below freezing in mid-winter.

Brittany Sioneholo (17) and Talo Leomotu (16) are coming to New Zealand to attend the renowned personal development retreat thanks to an Outward Bound alumni.

Their visit is being sponsored by Auckland-based New Zealand Mint which has strong commercial ties to Niue through the exclusive use of the nation’s effigy in the company’s successful collectible coins business.

Simon Harding, the CEO of New Zealand Mint attended Outward Bound when he was 21 and the school was a natural choice for him when he was working on cementing NZ Mint’s partnership with Niue beyond commerce.

The Niue High School students are two of five who applied for the NZ Mint scholarship. Outward Bound communications manager Liz Slater says she can think of only one previous student from Niue.

“Less than one per cent of our students come from overseas and only around one in 10 is sponsored by business but we’d love to see more. We are hoping NZ Mint’s initiative will lead to an increase in awareness of what we do among both offshore groups and the business community,” Ms Slater says.

Together with a teacher from the Island’s sole High School and the senior Crown Law Counsel, Mr Harding interviewed Brittany and Talo on a recent business trip to Niue.

“They stood out for their attitude to seek challenges and opportunities beyond their comfort zones,” Mr Harding says. “Both had clearly demonstrated commitment in a number of areas of their lives and we felt both could be role models on their return to their society.”

NZ Mint’s community involvement in Niue cements a partnership that extends beyond commerce, Mr Harding says.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity that otherwise would probably not exist for young Niueans and because I attended Outward Bound it was an option we considered as appropriate.”

In Niue the reaction to the award has been very positive according to the manager of the Niue Philatelic and Numismatic Corporation.

Ms Carmen Fuhiniu says people seem pleased the applicants were chosen not simply for their academic achievements or because they are high achievers.

“The fact they won because of need and because the experience would be life changing for them has made a big impression here in Niue,” Carmen says.

The youngsters arrive in New Zealand on July 7 and complete the course on July 27.