Global Enterprise Challenge

NORTH SHORE SECONDARY STUDENTS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

June 30, 2008

North Shore’s most enterprising young secondary students are on top of the world this week…thanks to a stand-alone floating saltwater farm proposal.

Three North Shore students from Westlake Boys’ High School and Long Bay College have formed part of a nine-person Global Enterprise Challenge team that has struck gold by winning the world competition for 2008.

Kristina Clarke and Matthew Holt from Long Bay College, and Adam Botterill from Westlake Boys’ High School joined other directors from student companies participating in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme in coming up with an innovative product, process, service or plan that will reduce the impact of the world’s dwindling water resources.

Pictured left to right: Fraser Bell – Massey University, Stacey Kenzelmann – Orewa College, Matt Holt – Long Bay College, Adam Botterill – Westlake Boys High School, Kristina Clarke – Long Bay College, and John Raine – Massey University

The 24-hour challenge – undertaken by teams from 15 countries – was judged by a panel of international judges based around the world and announced by NASA’s chief scientist Dr Neil Pellis.

“We should be proud of these extremely successful North Shore students as they have competed in a global arena and more than held their own,” YES co-ordinator Ngaio Merrick from Enterprise North Shore says.

“This success should give everyone great confidence in the future generations of entrepreneurs to come. They are absolutely outstanding, and a credit to their families, their schools and their communities.”

The team put forward a product called ‘LillyPod’, a floating saltwater farm growing Salicomia (a plant grown in salt water), aimed at developing a world-wide commercially-viable sea-based farm which reduces the impact of crops relying on fresh water.

It was selected as New Zealand’s representation by a judging panel including National MP Tim Groser, the Ministry of Education’s Suze Strowger. Enterprise New Zealand trustee Paul Lockey and e-Centre chief executive Steve Corbett, and was based at Massey University Albany’s campus.

Eighty students from Kerikeri to Invercargill took part in the New Zealand section of the challenge, which was launched by Prime Minister Helen Clark. Other countries taking part included England, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, USA, Scotland, Wales and Australia.

Australia took second place and Wales third, with a creativity award shared by Germany and Korea.

Global Enterprise Challenge judge co-ordinator Len Norman said this year’s event was exciting. “The work quality has been absolutely outstanding. Creativity is extremely high. Business plans were very detailed and believable, and the standard has improved year-on-year.”

Enterprise New Zealand Trust has organised participation in the event ever since the challenge’s inception eight years ago. The trust operates the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme in New Zealand, with Enterprise North Shore acting as the city’s local facilitator, and more than 40,000 students participate in its programmes each year.

This year’s competition has been sponsored by Massey University, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Enterprise North Shore and North Shore City Council, with nine local businesses involved in mentoring and acting as corporate hosts.

More information:

Ngaio Merrick – 09 414 1341 or 027 241 1315

Kathryn Calvert – 09 414 1343 or 027 500 8592.