Congratulations to all of our winners of the 2021 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) New Zealand Competition. We’re proud to be the national operator for this internationally accredited competition which is run under the Foundation For Environmental Education banner (FEE).
The New Zealand YRE Jury, which comprises of experts in the fields of journalism, photography and environmental sustainable development, held an online panel in the first week of September to review the submissions and determine the winners. Members of the jury included TV journalist and Keep New Zealand Beautiful Ambassador Melissa Chan-Green, environmental photographer Jacki Key, Creative Director of Media Studies at the University of Auckland Folko Boermans, freelance journalist Adrian Hatwell, and Corporate Affairs Manager at Mars New Zealand Bridget Beaurepaire.
The YRE New Zealand Competition first place winners will receive automatic entry in to the Global YRE competition which will take place in mid 2022.
Watch the YRE 2021 awards presentation here.
Article – 11-14 years
1st place
Ghost Gear, Chloe Croft, Havelock North Intermediate
2nd place
Plastic Straws SUCK , Isabel Macdonald, South New Brighton School
3rd place (equal)
Overloaded – Our Rubbish Problem, Teo Gairdner and James Maxwell, Havelock North Intermediate
Honourable mention
Uniforms are Littering!, Joanne Siale, Amy Ardern and Malaga Tema, Birdwood School
Honourable mention
Should We Take a Step Back in Time?, Audrey Anna Robin, Havelock Intermediate
Article – 15–18 years
1st place
The Biological Killer, Ariana Hunt, Whangaparaoa College
2nd place
Code Red: Plastic in Disguise, Bliss Wang and How Jeatrakul, St Cuthbert’s College
3rd place
Honourable mention
The Beauty of Sustainability, Emilia Parker, Lynfield College
Honourable mention
It’s Not Just a Climate Emergency Anymore, Jenica Crous, Whangaparaoa College
Photograph – 11-14 years
1st place
Our Actions, Our Future, Sophie Ineson, Southland Girls’ High School
2nd place
Our Choices Can Make a Change, Sophia Meech, St Anthony’s School
3rd place
The Aftertaste, Jasmine Goh, Stonefields School
Honourable mention
Under the Sea, Ella Stewart & Hannah Cook, Stonefields School
Photograph – 15-18 years
1st place
Kaitiaki of the Te Ara rata Stream, Helen Thai & John Thai, Aorere College
2nd place
Mate atu he tete kura, ara mai he tete kura, Tiki Tanirau, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga
3rd place
Playing with Fire, Bliss Wang and How Jeatrakul, St Cuthbert’s College
Video – 11-14 years
1st place
Taking Action With Citizen Science, Sophie Ineson, Southland Girls’ High School
2nd place
Plastic Police NZ, Boston Setefano and Ryan Thomas, Blue Mountain College
3rd place
Fly Tipping Information Exposed, Bailey Meredith, Havelock North Intermediate
Honourable Mention
Te Oneroa A Tohe and our Plastic Problem, Aaliyah Rutland & Watea Ashby, Ngataki School
Honourable mention
BED Recycling, Azalea Keenan, Katelyn Stenzel and Jalise Appleton, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Honourable mention
An Eco way to Wipe, Camille Howie, Havelock North Intermediate School
Video – 15-18 years
Honourable Mention
O’Driscoll House Environmental Service 2021, Archie Lamont-Bowden, St. Peter’s College