Boost Economic Growth Challenge Winners
02 June 2023
Winners of the secondary school competition, hosted by UC Business School and CETA were announced last night.
Teams presented on campus in the Rehua building.
First place winners Olivia Wu and Lewis Collins presenting their tourism idea.
Congratulations to last night's winners of the 2023 Boost Competition. The event, held as part of the University of Canterbury's (UC) 150th anniversary celebrations under the theme 'Ka titiro whakamuri, ki te anga whakamua | Guided by the past, shaping the future,' provided an opportunity for young minds to pitch their innovative ideas for regional economic growth. Students displayed exceptional professionalism and presentation skills in the nationwide competition.
First place went to Olivia Wu (Wellington East Girls' College) and Lewis Collins (St Bernards College) for their idea to boost Ōtautahi Christchurch tourism with a bus tour of sites related to historic wahine.
Second place went to Isabella Pithie, Alexander Cooke and Benjamin Bridle (Scots College Wellington) for their app idea titled 'Pīwari Poneke' which guided visitors to attractions in Wellington, offering them discounts and other information.
The third place winners were Hannah Watt, Josh Rayner, Tom Freedman (Cashmere High) for their mass transport system idea for Waitaha Canterbury.
Students from St Andrews College, Lachlan Odlin, Annika MacDonald and Jedd Bright were highly commended for their vertical farming idea.
Special thanks to the judges who gave up their time on the night to support the growth of rangitahi.
- Sophie Jones, Economic Analyst at ChristchurchNZ
- Jude Maurice, President at NZ CETA
- Russell Wordsworth, Associate Dean (Academic) at UC Business School
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