Locally Zonta Club of Christchurch North assists with these Awards:
Young Woman in Leadership Award (formerly YWPA)
The club recognises annually a young female who has demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes in our community .The recipient receives a $1000 cash prize.
2024
Mackenzie Wills was presented with her Zonta International District 16 Certificate at Rolleston College Senior Assembly on Friday 7 June 2024. A warm welcome was given from the school to District 16 Gov. Phillippa Jacobs-Lory, President Susan McDonald, District 16 YWPA Chair Clare Bruce, Zonta North members Shirley-Anne Pearce and Chris Merritt. It was a true pleasure to present Mackenzie, a standout applicant for the Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award. Mackenzie not only won at Club level from the Zonta Club of Christchurch North, but was also the District 16 YWPA Award winner and is one of only 37 winners globally from 63 countries, out of many entries throughout the world to win the Zonta International Award. She receives $1,000 from Zonta North, $1,000 from Zonta District 16, (New Zealand) and $5,000 USD from Zonta International towards her studies in Law and Political Science at Canterbury University in 2025.
Mackenzie has shown exceptional leadership and commitment to public service through her work on the Selwyn Youth Council, and a new group of future leaders on part of the council. She has given many hours to the Student Volunteer Army and continues with her involvement in the Girl Boss network. As Mackenzie finishes her studies at Rolleston College this year, her plans are to study law, political science, and psychology at university next year, aiming to make a difference in the world through her continued involvement in community organisations.
Congratulations, Mackenzie! We look forward to seeing your future achievements.
We are very proud of our 2020 recipient E Wen Wong from Burnside High School, who went on to win the New Zealand District 16 Award and also the Zonta International Award for Young Women in Public Affairs.
A 2022 update from E Wen Wong:
I am writing this from Wellington, where I am spending the summer as a GIS Analyst Intern at Beca. So far, the internship has been a great opportunity to apply my GIS studies to projects that engender real-word impacts for communities and organisations—as opposed to fictitious clients imagined by our lecturers! `
Since receiving the YWPA Award, I was fortunate enough to be named Dux of Burnside High School and commence studies in Law, Environmental Science, and Geography at the University of Canterbury. The YWPA Award has allowed me to continue to devote time to volunteering pursuits, including as part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Christchurch Hub, the international Future Blue Youth Council, and as coordinator of the EnviroPAST (Plastic and Sustainability Talks) Conference. Alongside my internship, I am currently planning our third EnviroPAST conference, as well as drafting educational material for UN Youth’s 2022 Aotearoa Youth Declaration. Aotearoa Youth Declaration is an event that brings high school students together to write a declaration that embodies a youth perspective on public policy.
I am really appreciative of Zonta’s support through the YWPA Award. Not only has it supported my learning and insatiable thirst for knowledge, it has motivated me to continue to give back to my community, to grow existing projects, and ensure that others have access to the incredible opportunities that have come my way.
Thanks again for all of your support.
Applications for the 2024 Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award for the following secondary schools – Villa Maria College, Burnside High School, Kaiapoi High School, St Margaret’s College, Mairehau High School, Hagley High School, Rolleston College – are now available from the Zonta Club of Christchurch North by contacting christchurchnorth@zonta.org.nz
Canterbury Tertiary Education Trust
This Award is in conjunction with the other three Clubs in the Christchurch area and is aimed at giving a local woman the opportunity of furthering her education through a grant of $3000pa for a maximum of two years. Applications will be available again in 2025.
Zonta International Awards
Amelia Earhart Fellowship programme helps talented women, pursuing advanced studies in the typically male-dominated fields of aerospace-related sciences and engineering, achieve their educational goals.
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship programme helps women pursue undergraduate and Master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom.
Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA) programme recognizes young women for their demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Zonta International Women in Technology Scholarship is to encourage women to pursue education and opportunities and take on leadership roles in technology.