Kāpiti Coast Rangatahi Celebrated at the Work Ready Kāpiti Annual Awards
Work Ready Kāpiti marked another year of success in the community at its Annual Awards last month, celebrating the rangatahi who have shone in its programmes in 2026.
Over 150 people attended the 2026 Work Ready Kāpiti Annual Awards at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti on 10 September, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the local rangatahi, employers, schools, organisations and supporters involved in Work Ready Kāpiti’s programmes.
Kāpiti Coast Districtwide Councillor Liz Koh was in attendance, presenting awards to some of the 76 graduates of the Work Ready Kāpiti Passport programme. These youth from Kāpiti College, Ōtaki College and Paraparaumu College successfully completed this workbook-based programme that supports them to develop the skills that local employers are seeking.
The evening was then followed by a celebration of all the award winners in 2026.
2026 Award Winners:
Best Work Ready Kāpiti Passport, Sponsored by Pzazz Building - Zak Edmonds, for excellence in completing the Work Ready Kāpiti Passport programme.
#EmployerMeet Star, Sponsored by Fervor - Evelyn Williamson and Jasmine-Lee Follows, for showcasing outstanding engagement, initiative and professionalism to local employers at a Work Ready Kāpiti #EmployerMeet.
Engaged and Invested, Sponsored by EcoShifter - Kāpiti College, for outstanding commitment as a college or organisation to the Work Ready Kāpiti kaupapa.
Most Committed Employer of Youth, Sponsored by Bryan Gundersen - Coastlands, for exceptional commitment to supporting youth. Runner-Up: CyberTeam.
Top WEX Placement, Sponsored by Kāpiti Business Chamber - Luka Meyer, for exceptional performance in her work experience placement.
Rise to the Challenge, Sponsored by Leith Consulting - Zak Edmonds, for resilience and determination in becoming work ready.
Youth of the Year, Sponsored by Coastlands - Merika Beach, for embodying the spirit of Work Ready Kāpiti through initiative, leadership, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. Runner-up: Lachie McBride.
On the night, John Scutter, Chair of the Work Ready Kāpiti Board, said:
“Over the past year, hundreds of young people across Kāpiti have taken opportunities to build their confidence, develop their skills, meet employers and start thinking constructively about their futures.
“While tonight we will recognise some individual achievements, I think it is really important that we recognise everyone who has taken part. Whether that is a young person who completed their first interview, an employer who offered a work experience placement, a teacher who encouraged a student to get involved, a volunteer who gave up their time, or one of our funding and business partners who helped make the programmes possible. You have all played a part.
“Work Ready Kāpiti exists because we believe young people deserve the opportunity to understand the world of work, to meet employers and to see what is possible for their future. And importantly, we believe that this works best when the whole community gets behind them.”
The evening also benefited from the talent of local youth, with Year 12 student Sebastian Knighton keeping the crowd engaged as event MC. Fellow Kāpiti College students also wowed the audience with incredible performances from hit musicals, with Louis Okey singing ‘All I Care About’ from Chicago and Carys Ferguson singing ‘When He Sees Me’ from the musical Waitress.
2026 has marked another awesome year of mahi for Work Ready Kāpiti, and we would like to thank all our rangatahi, employers, colleges, sponsors, funders and local organisations for all their support this year.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Work Ready Kāpiti Team
