Top Massey University Students Acknowledged

Every year the Palmerston North City Council has the pleasure of awarding top students working towards a Degree in Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University with a prize of $500 each.

The prizes are awarded to the student with the highest overall achievement in each year of the degree.  This year's recipients will receive their prizes in front of families, special guests and councillors.

The Prize Giving will be held prior to the Council Meeting on 23 April 2012 at the Palmerston North City Council.

Awards

The prizes will be awarded by Cr Annette Nixon, Chairperson of the Planning and Policy Committee to the following students:

• Recipient of the First Year 'David Spring Planning Prize' - Tianxi (John) Yin
• Recipient of the Second Year 'Ken Nairn' Planning Prize - John Harold
• Recipient of the Third Year 'JT Stewart' Planning Prize - Karren Edlin
• Recipient of the Fourth Year 'Bernard J Forde' Planning Prize - David McKevitt

Biographies of recipients

First Year recipientTianxi (John) Yinis from China and is interested in sustainable development. He is enjoying Palmerston North and considers it a very student-oriented city. His field of study has offered him the opportunity to explore a diversity of subjects and he looks forward to becoming a transport planner.

Second Year recipientJohn Harolddeveloped an interest in urban development and environmental and social issues which encouraged him to study planning. He intends to pursue a career in local government when he graduates. He would like to thank both PNCC and Massey for the Award.

Third Year recipientKarren Edlinhas discovered a wide range of interests since beginning her degree. Sociology and health studies have become areas of particular interest. This year Karren aims to complete an Honours project that looks into how planning and health can be combined through the use of a Health Impact Assessment.

Fourth Year recipientDavid McKevittis passionate about transport, particularly increasing the share of public and active transport in cities. He completed an internship in 2010/11 at the New Zealand Transport Agency in the central regional office. He would like to thank PNCC and Massey for their commitment to planning and for the award.