Pōkeno resident and Pukekohe High School graduate celebrated
Local Pokeno resident and ex-Pukekohe High School student Sophia Chen has graduated from a national scholarship programme, supported by local company Counties Energy.
Chen, who won her First Foundation scholarship to study biomedical engineering and science (with a major in psychology and computer science) at the University of Auckland, has been working at Counties Energy during her holidays.
She graduated from the programme in June, and was celebrated at First Foundation ceremony for graduates and their whānau.
Chen said university has been a steep learning curve.
“I’m really grateful for the support from Counties Energy along the way. I’m especially grateful for everyone on the team who made this experience enriching and welcomed me with open arms. I will cherish and benefit from the gained life lessons for years to come.”
Counties Energy General Manager Safety, Culture and Sustainability Tracey Kay said it was an honour to offer the scholarship to Chen.
“Sophia has been an absolute pleasure to have as part of the team for three years,” Kay said.
“We’ve watched her grow from a school student leaving Pukekohe High School to a mature, confident, extremely diligent and dedicated young woman who has brought so much knowledge and joy to our team, the office and our events.
“We wish her the very best on her future pathway and know she will be successful in anything she puts her mind to.”
Counties Energy is partnering with another First Foundation scholarship recipient, ex-Pukekohe High School student Isabella Coughlin.
For more information on First Foundation go to www.firstfoundation.org.nz....
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A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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