Māori Visual Arts student wins Prime Minister's Exemplar Award

Jessica Collins

Minister for Youth, Peeni Henare, Jessica Collins, and Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern

Toioho ki Apiti Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts student Jessica Collins was awarded the Prime Minister’s Exemplar Award at the 2019 New Zealand Youth Awards in June. 

Jessica was recognised for her work supporting Māori mental health and suicide prevention. In 2018, she created and led the Mana Whenua Hikoi during which she walked 668km over 21 days to honour the 668 people who took their lives in New Zealand during 2017.

Jessica was able to raise $2,500 for Lifeline and raise awareness of the mana whenua approach to suicide prevention.

Jessica was presented with her award by Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Youth, Peeni Henare.

Te Ara Toroa — Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai
The flight of the albatross — Venturing into the unknown
Design by Ngataiharuru Taepa, Kaihautu Toi Māori—Director of Māori Arts

Toi Rauwhārangi
College of Creative Arts
Wellington, Aotearoa

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