Helping youngsters make a splash in sports
Shotover Jet is inviting young sportspeople living in Queenstown Lakes to apply for sponsorship through its 2024 Te iti Kahuraki programme.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism, which owns the iconic red boat tourism business, has four sponsorship packages available, valued at $2,500.
That includes $1000 in financial support, access to Shotover Jet passes and merchandise packs to support fundraising efforts, free rides and discounts for family, professional photos, and website exposure.
Shotover Jet Business Manager Donald Boyer says the programme's name, Te iti Kahuraki, is inspired by the whakataukī: 'Whāia te iti kahuraki, ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei' (Seek the distant horizon, should you bow your head let it only be to a lofty mountain).
"We want to support our local grassroots sporting talent and hope that our young athletes will aim high and be undeterred by small obstacles," Boyer says.
Applications are open to all sporting activities but applicants must reside in the Queenstown Lakes district and attend a local school (aged 5-17).
The programme's 2023 recipients, Riley Baker, Priya White, Ruari Spence and Jono Hansen, used their sponsorship packages to help them invest in new sporting gear, travel to and from competitions and even represent Niu Tīreni internationally.
"We are looking forward to supporting another four local young people aged from 5 to 17 years with sponsorship in 2024 to help them achieve their dreams in their backyards, on the school field or through their local sporting clubs," Boyer says.
“The Te iti Kahuraki programme is one of many ways that the team at Shotover Jet supports our local community and demonstrates our core values of manaakitanga (looking after our people), rangatiratanga (leadership), tohungatanga (expertise) and kaitiakitanga (stewardship)."
Applications close on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday, 6 December.
To apply go to www.shotoverjet.com/athlete or email Sophie.boxley@shotoverjet.co.nz for more information.
