Celebrating Excellence at the 2026 Cultural and Arts Prizegiving
Wairarapa College’s Cultural and Arts Prizegiving was a fitting celebration of a year filled with creativity, achievement and outstanding student success. Students, whānau, staff and supporters gathered to recognise the many contributions made across music, drama, kapa haka, visual arts, musical theatre and cultural performance throughout 2026.
The evening opened with a karakia from Te Aira and performances from Bree McGregor, Shaughan McGregor, Alwande Hlophe and Brayden Whande before Arts Prefects Alwande Hlophe, Lucas Stoneley, Connor McEwen and Kyus Sanders welcomed guests and reflected on another remarkable year for the arts at Wairarapa College.
Throughout the year, students enjoyed significant success on regional and national stages. Highlights included Adelaide Arcus being selected for direct entry to the National Schools Shakespeare workshops, more than 40 students participating in the Regional Shakespeare Festival, and Ruby Edwards, Emme Billman, Kelsie Laing-Bayley and Sarah Pettit earning national selection for NZ TheatreFest after winning Best New Zealand Play. The band Rampage won the regional Smokefree Rockquest before progressing to the national top 15, Olivia Leach claimed first place in the Rockquest Solo/Duo section, Shin Digs won the Talent Wairarapa People’s Choice Award, and Cantate secured selection for the Cadenza North Island National Finals. Kyus Sanders and Brayden Whande were also first-place winners at the Wairarapa Intercollegiate Solo Music Competition.
Performances throughout the evening showcased the depth and breadth of talent within the college. Audiences enjoyed items from Cantate, Kapa Haka, performers from Sister Act, Summit, Rampage, Shaughan McGregor and the newly established TheatreSports troupe, highlighting the strength of both long-standing and emerging arts programmes within the school.
Arts Awards
Arts Awards recognised students for excellence, participation and contribution across a wide range of cultural activities. Recipients were:
Nathanial McGhie, Nelson Bird, Pania Emery, Tukihea Finau, Ariana Abraham, Oban Ferguson, Cinzia Fraser, Yas Jar, Charlotte Locke, Conor Orr, Rachael Pointon, Eliza Price, Carys Pumfrey, Pou Roiri, Owen Scott, Hone Gede, Cyrus Gray-North, Rose Karaitiana-Lambert, Charlie Kelly, Mere Paku, Nari Kerehi, Pippa Hansen, Manaia Hanson, Tristan Hunter, Carter-James Whitehead, Adelaide Arcus, Imogen Ball, Aurora Carswell, Connor McEwen, Brayden Whande, Sarah Pettit, Stephen Price, Kyus Sanders, Elly Taylor, Isla Brown, Leah Bunny, Freya Yule, Fynn Brown, Ruby Edwards, Bree McGregor, Niamh Bramwell-Cooke, Alwande Hlophe, Shaughan McGregor, Lucas Stoneley, Kyra Nation, Emme Billman and Olivia Leach.
Arts Blues
Arts Blues recognised students who demonstrated excellence, commitment and long-term contribution to the arts. Recipients were:
Kit Thomson, Nelson Bird, Leah Bunny, Conor Orr, Freya Yule, Charlie Kelly, Kelsie Laing-Bayley, Tristan Hunter, Bree McGregor, Liam MacArthur, Lola Veneberg, Kaylee Ault, Mairryl Hemedez, Eliza Price, Emme Billman, Elaine Johnston, Iona Johnston, Isabella Wichman, Alerah Ali, Mia Karaitiana-Tugaga, Ava Kent, Morgan Mason, Tiara Milligan, Nari Kerehi, Khalia Peneha, Jarae Tangiora, Isla Brown, Fynn Brown, Cyrus Gray-North, Adelaide Arcus, Jackson Bewley, Alwande Hlophe, Olivia Leach, Campbell Wiramanaden, Imogen Ball, Niamh Bramwell-Cooke, Ruby Edwards, Lana Kerehi, Brayden Whande, Sarah Pettit, Kyus Sanders, Connor McEwen, Shaughan McGregor, Lucas Stoneley and Stephen Price.
Arts Gold
Arts Gold Awards, recognising achievement at a national level, were presented to Liam MacArthur, Connor McEwen, Stephen Price, Kyus Sanders, Lucas Stoneley and Evie Moore.
Special Awards
A number of prestigious special awards were also presented during the evening:
Performing Arts Major Award Winners
PTA Prize for Performance Music
Awarded to Rampage comprising Lucas Stoneley, Kyus Sanders, Connor McEwen, Stephen Price and Liam MacArthur.
PTA Prize for Composition
Awarded to Lucas Stoneley.
Outstanding Performance in a Musical
Awarded to Ruby Edwards.
Wales Cup
Awarded to Evie Moore.
Dedication to Instrumental Music Trophy
Awarded to Kyus Sanders.
Dedication to Voice and Vocal Music Trophy
Awarded to Alwande Hlophe.
Dedication to Production Trophy
Awarded to Connor McEwen.
Senior Drama Award
Awarded to Shaughan McGregor.
Potts Shield
Awarded to Adelaide Arcus.
Wingate Family Trophy
Awarded to Jaimee Mobberley
Hodge Family Trophy
Awarded to Brayden Whande
Annette McKenzie Cup
Awarded to Shaughan McGregor.
Major Cultural Awards
The evening concluded with the presentation of the College’s highest cultural honours:
- Cultural Council Hei Matau Trophy: Emme Billman
- Cultural Council Trophy: Fynn Brown
- Niklas Mattson Cup: Kyus Sanders
- Olive Sutherland Baton: Lucas Stoneley
Principal Matt White praised students for the discipline, courage and commitment they have shown throughout the year and acknowledged the contribution of teachers, tutors, student leaders, whānau and supporters in helping students flourish.
Congratulations to all performers, award recipients and arts participants. The 2026 Cultural and Arts Prizegiving was a wonderful celebration of the talent, creativity and dedication that continue to make the arts such a vibrant part of life at Wairarapa College.
Wairarapa College Celebrates a Year of Growth, Achievement and Excellence at Senior Prizegiving 2026
Wairarapa College came together to celebrate the achievements of its students at the 2026 Senior Prizegiving, an evening that recognised academic excellence, leadership, service, culture and personal growth while reflecting on another successful year for the College.
Principal Matt White welcomed students, whānau, staff, trustees and distinguished guests, acknowledging mana whenua, remembering those who had passed, and paying special tribute to Anaru Voice-Gedye from the Supported Learning Centre, whose memory was honoured during the evening.
A key message of the evening was the College theme for 2026: BTB – Be the Best, Better Than Before. In his address, Matt White challenged students to focus not on being better than others, but on becoming better than they were yesterday through growth, perseverance and a commitment to continual improvement. He praised students for embracing opportunities across learning, leadership, sport, service and the arts while living the College values of leadership, excellence, acceptance and determination.
Reflecting on the year, Matt White highlighted some of the many successes achieved by Wairarapa College students. These included national success in STEM competitions, achievements in aviation, outstanding performances in the school production of Sister Act, success at the Smokefree Rockquest National Finals, strong sporting performances and the many learning opportunities students embraced both inside and outside the classroom.
The Principal acknowledged the dedication of teachers and support staff whose work continues to create opportunities for students to thrive. He also thanked the Board of Trustees for their governance and commitment to the College, recognising Gretchen Dean, Richard Fairbrother, Ross Thompson, Rick Bryant, Sid Kempton, Kōkā Destiny Tom and student representative Pippa Hansen for their service throughout the year.
Special recognition was given to student leaders Maggie Campbell, Shaughan McGregor and Stephen Price for the energy, enthusiasm and example they provided throughout 2026. Their leadership, along with that of the wider student leadership team, helped shape a positive and successful year for the school community.
The evening also provided an opportunity to farewell departing staff. In particular, Cindy Veitch was acknowledged for her sixteen years of service to Wairarapa College. Unable to attend due to illness, Cindy was recognised for her commitment to students and the College, as well as the resilience and positivity she has shown through difficult circumstances.
Addressing the graduating students and prize winners, Matt White congratulated them not only for their achievements but also for the determination, character and effort that had led them to success. He encouraged all students to continue learning, growing and striving to improve, reminding them that true success comes from continually taking the next step and being better than before.
The 2026 Senior Prizegiving was a fitting celebration of a year defined by achievement, courage, service and growth. The evening reflected the strength of the Wairarapa College community and the many ways students continue to live the school vision of “With wisdom and courage – Kia mātau, kia māia.” Students, staff and whānau left with much to celebrate and every reason to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
