TE ITI KAHURAKI PROGRAMME CLASS OF 2023
Providing sponsorship and support to local sporting talent
“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”.
Community is a huge part of what we do at Shotover Jet and at the heart of our business are our core values; Manaakitanga (looking after our people), Rangatiratanga (leadership), Tohungatanga (expertise) and Kaitiakitanga (stewardship). We are always striving to provide these for our community.
The Te iti Kahuraki programme at Shotover Jet, provides sponsorship and support to local sporting talent.
Find out more about our 2023 athletes below
RILEY
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Here in Tāhuna (Queenstown) we’re surrounded by some world class mountain biking facilities so it’s hard not to fall in love with mountain biking. Riley has blown away fellow bikers and spectators at Wynyard Bike Park taking on one of the parks most difficult trails Dream Line.
“I started off with a little balance bike, then got a bigger bike and started doing jumps off the balcony and in the yard, it just grew from there, the bikes got bigger and so did the jumps, I feel like biking is my sport”
Riley’s dream is to ride in the Red Bull Rampage!
1st overall South island Schools MTB champs U13
2nd Whakatipu World Champs U13
2nd Commencal Enduro U13
3rd Queenstown Bike Festival Slopestyle U13
3rd Queenstown Bike Festival Dual Slalom U13
Youngest person to ride in McGazza Fest Dream line session
Youngest to ride entire dream line
PRIYA
BALLET AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Originally born in the UK, Priya moved over to New Zealand at just 4 months old. Priya’s passion for dance began when she started ballet lessons at age 3 and continued into contemporary dance at age 9.
“ I love to dance, especially classical ballet. I enjoy the freedom I feel when dancing and being able to express myself in such a unique way. I also love that it keeps me fit and strong, and connects me with new people not only in Wānaka, but from around New Zealand. “
Competed at the Mosgiel Ballet Society competition - Placing third in the Senior Ballet Championships and Very Highly Commended across a variety of other dances
Performing as part of the Festival of Colour event in Wanaka
Travelling to Christchurch to train as an affiliate at the Anneliese Gilberd Academy
Continued her weekly dance training at Centralpoint Dance Studios in Wanaka
Priya was also one of 10 finalists from 52 performers in the prestigious South Island Ballet Awards.
RUARI
SKIING
At 2 years old, Ruari started his skiing journey up the hill with mum and dad and it was love at first sight.
Ruari’s favourite part about skiing at his favourite Queenstown ski fields is enjoying the stunning view you get from the top of the mountain and challenging himself on the harder runs. Getting to spend quality whāanau time up the mountain is an added bonus!
Ruari's weekends over the winter season were packed with adventure! Taking part in the Junior Performance Academy that runs at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, he also rocked the National Junior School Ski Champs for the first time in the Giant Slalom and Dual Slalom!
JONO
BMX
As a toddler Jono loved his strider bike and couldn’t wait to get onto a pedal bike. He started his BMX journey at just 4 years old.
“I love the excitement of when the gate drops and the race starts against the other riders. I also love catching up with my BMX mates that I meet and race with from all over New Zealand”.
Right at the start of the year we asked Jono what was his #1 goal for this year..."To make the NZ MIghty 11 BMX team!" and we are so proud to share Jono's dream came true in July 23 as he was made his way over to Australia to represent Aotearoa!
His long-term goal is to be an elite BMXER.
