Statistics New Zealand award winner announced

Deputy Government Statistician Dallas Welch last night presented Macleans
College student Alyosha Yashin with $2,000 for winning the Statistics New
Zealand Counting on Data Award.

Part of the Royal Society’s Realise the Dream event, the award is open to
all New Zealand school students. Now in its fifth year, it recognises
students who have carried out excellent research or an innovative piece of
work.

"As an organisation we are passionate about information. Statistics New
Zealand strives for best practice and innovation in our own work and we’re
delighted to support the work of young New Zealanders who seek to do the
same by taking part in Realise the Dream,” said Mrs Welch.

According to the judges, the Auckland student’s well-researched project,
“How lucky was Robin Hood?” demonstrated excellent data collection
techniques and data analysis. Alyosha used probabilistic techniques to
answer his project’s question and his research report was very well
structured with excellent use of graphs. He presented his project
confidently and answered all the judges’ questions.

“Statistics New Zealand is pleased to sponsor the Counting on Data Award
and congratulates Alyosha on his outstanding achievement,” said Mrs Welch.

Realise the Dream is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand with
Genesis Energy as the principal sponsor. See www.realisethedream.org.nz.