Within the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) framework, Young Navigators is an education initiative for Maori and Pasifika secondary school students that pits six teams of six against each other over three days.

Students were challenged to develop innovative solutions for a cleaner environment.

First they brainstormed ideas, then pitched one to the judges along with their marketing plan – think The Apprentice, but without the television cameras.

Vaotangi was in Team Accenture, which took out first place after successfully selling-in their idea for an eco-friendly playground.

“I loved my group. With all our different personalities and qualities, everyone had something to contribute,” she said.

“It was really unexpected coming first. Even if we hadn’t it still would’ve been a truly amazing experience. Anybody who has the opportunity to do Young Navigators, I’d say take it.”

Vaotangi said after she finished school a business degree was definitely an option.

Meanwhile, Steffener, who was in Team Coca Cola, said there were Maori and Pasifika students from all over the country taking part in the Young Navigators programme, from as far away as Dunedin.

“The main thing I took out of it was forming connections with people you don’t know and how important it is to work together as a team,” he said.

“What I learnt doing the pitch is definitely something I can take away with me because we have our pitch coming up for our business, AutoGlow Mobile Car Detailing, this coming term at school.

“We’ll be running that business throughout the school year (as part of Young Enterprise Scheme) and hoping to also continue running it once I finish school.”

Steffener said he had really enjoyed being a leader during the challenge.

“I was fortunate enough to work alongside one of my colleagues who was in our team and we both led together. That’s something I’d like to take forward into the future.”

Vaotangi and Steffener both said the Young Navigators experience had been invaluable.

Young Enterprise Trust chief executive officer Alex Bullot said they were proud to create a space where young people were empowered to bring their whole selves to the table.

“The energy, enthusiasm and drive of our young navigators to jump straight into something unfamiliar was incredibly inspiring.”

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