Western Bay of Plenty high schools students will have a chance to showcase their innovative flair at the first ever Young Innovator Awards (YiA) 2010.

The awards, launched in association with Priority One’s INSTEP programme, encourage Western Bay of Plenty secondary school children to understand and experience first-hand the necessary processes involved in taking a product or service to market.

Students will be required to demonstrate how they interlink research, innovation, creativity, communication and sustainability into the design of a new or existing product or service.  Entrants will submit an idea to a judging panel, either individually or in a group.

Priority One’s INSTEP Manager Lyn Parlane says the awards provide support and opportunities for both the local business community and secondary school students.

“We are excited to launch YiA as it provides the Western Bay of Plenty business community with the opportunity to support young people to eventually gain the skills needed by industry.

“YiA also gives students the chance to be recognised for solving a problem and making their idea happen – as most business people can testify, this is a hugely satisfying process,” says Parlane.

The awards sit well within the new school curriculum, which encourages innovation, curiosity, creative and reflective thinking and ecological sustainability, as well as the key competencies such as problem solving, self management, the ability to relate to others and participation,” says Parlane.

Parlane says YiA aims to engage with all secondary school students that can think in a creative and innovative way, not necessarily just those who excel in the classroom.

Students can enter in either the Junior category (Year 9 and 10) or Senior category (Year 11, 12 and 13) – and will be marked against five key criteria: creativity, innovation, communication, research and sustainability; each worth 20 per cent of the final mark.

The judging panel will comprise of representatives from local businesses: Woods Creative will judge creativity, Trimax will judge innovation, Locus Research will judge communication and research and EnviroState will judge sustainability. Other key partners include Moca Web Creations, Village Public Relations, Page Macrae and Creative Tauranga

The winning student from age group will receive a cheque for $1000 and the opportunity to be mentored by a local businessperson. Certificates will also be awarded to the top entries in each criteria.

The public will be able to follow the awards on Twitter  and Facebook and students can visit www.yia.co.nz for entry criteria and an example entry.

INSTEP Programme

Priority One’s INSTEP Programme aims to increase students’, teachers’, principals’ and parents’ understanding of “business” and how it relates to economic growth, the value and relevance of education and future employment opportunities within the Western Bay of Plenty region.

New Condition of Buying a Home: A Broadband Connection?

Property developers in the Bay of Plenty are turning to Enternet Online Limited’s (EOL) services in droves to ensure their developments offer broadband access to prospective buyers.

Managing director of EOL Terry Cole says people moving into new subdivisions aren’t always aware they can’t access broadband via phone lines for at least two years, due to lack of available resources such as underground services.

He says the rural lifestyle properties, that are so popular with buyers, are faced with an indefinite period on dial-up.

“This is where EOL steps in and we can, through our unique wireless network, hook people up to fast internet connections very quickly, regardless of location,” says Cole.

Enternet Online Limited’s (EOL) is the fastest wireless ISP in New Zealand according to speedtest.net and recently became the only ISP surveyed by Consumer Magazine to have 100 percent customer satisfaction.

Recently Coles met up with local MP Simon Bridges who congratulated EOL on their recent television coverage on TV One’s NZI Business programme about the success of their business.

“It was fantastic to see an innovative local company achieving national TV coverage and that Tauranga businesses can be reassured they have the best internet provider service in the country.”

Coles says what sets EOL apart from its competitors is it is one of the few companies in New Zealand that owns and has complete control over its own network, enabling it to provide a superior level of service, security, speed and reliability.

ABOUT EOL (Enternet Online Ltd)

EOL is a Tauranga-based company established in 1995. In a short space of time it has become a market leader in wireless broadband technology, and a big supporter of local businesses and the Western Bay community.

EOL installed the popular Mount Wavecam eight years ago which broadcasts free images of the Mount Main Beach and surf. The company also provides live web cameras showing Tauranga’s harbour, the city’s CBD, Bayfair Shopping Mall and Bay City Cinemas.

‘EOL’s fixed Wireless broadband service is available from over 200 access points throughout the Western Bay of Plenty. All connections are monitored and managed from EOL’s network operations centre, providing unrivalled quality of service.’

OPI launched their latest collection of colours to the beauty media over a dim sim lunch at Auckland’s Grand Harbour restaurant recently.   The collection is inspired by the exquisite city of Hong Kong and its many contrasts between modern and traditional.

The new colours in a modern mood have defined this season’s cutting edge trends and it seems Jade is the New Black – quite literally. This vibrant green, along with a good luck red – Red My Fortune Cookie, were top picks for a quick  file and paint at the launch. The Hong Kong Collection by OPI is now available in Farmers and Life Pharmacy stores.

Louise Richardson, wearing Red My Fortune Cookie, was looking every bit the part.

Megan rocks Jade is the New Black & Rachel stays cool blue in Suzi Says Feng Shui

For more OPI Pearls of Wisdom become a fan at www.facebook.com/opinz

Try on colours from the new collection at www.opi.com

We asked Miranda Cobb, owner and buyer for Evolution Clothing to list her top five fashion tips.

1. Three Colour Rule

You can mix it up, but three is your limit (just like having a few drinks). Any more than three colours in one outfit and you’ll be committing colour sin.  This applies to your whole outfit including shoes, bags and any other accessories.

2. Baggy and Baggy Creates Saggy

If you can’t be converted to skinny jeans (yes ladies there are still some people out there), then to avoid looking two sizes bigger than you are, always wear a fitted top with loose style trousers or jeans.

3. Brightness in the Dark

If you LOVE wearing black as much as me then why not enhance your outfit with a bright lipstick or nail lacquer.  When applying your nail lacquer don’t forget, always apply a clear base coat and top coat before applying your colour.  This will ensure your colour will last for days without chipping off.

4. Wise Investment

Instead of sticking to the tried and practical rule of a white bra under a white top, invest in a nude bra.  Wearing a nude bra under muscle backs or singlet strap tops creates the impression you are not wearing a bra , but still gives you that all important support every girl needs.

And last but not least,

5. Bare Legs or Boobs NOT Both!!!

This is pretty self explanatory ladies.

Check out Evolution Clothing online at  www.evolutionclothing.co.nz

Do you want to put a gourmet twist on your summer salads that will make them even healthier than before?

Grove Lime Avocado Oil has won the ‘best oil for dressing’ category at the 2009 Healthy Food Awards, making it a delicious – and nutritious – accompaniment for any salad.

The annual awards, judged by a panel of experts on behalf of Healthy Food Guide magazine, aims to highlight the best food choices available on our supermarket shelves for consumers.

Nutritional content, value for money, innovation and taste were all key criteria used to declare Grove Lime Avocado Oil the number one oil to use in salad dressings this summer.

The judges described it as having “a delightful limey flavour which makes a stunning dressing with lemon juice or white wine vinegar. The avocado gives it a gorgeous jewel-like colour too, so salads look and taste amazing.”

Grove’s Executive Director Brian Richardson describes lime and avocado as a “perfect partnership”. Grove Lime Avocado Oil also makes an ideal sauce or oil for cooking fish and seafood dishes, he says.

“Avocado oil has a low saturated fat content and is packed with healthy vitamins and antioxidants. It’s one of nature’s ‘superfoods’ and we hope our success in this year’s Healthy Food Awards will help highlight those benefits to consumers,” Richardson says.

Try this fantastic recipe using Grove Avocado Oil:

Tangy Tomato Dressing

150 ml Grove Lime Avocado Oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tsp crushed garlic
¼ Tsp flaked sea salt
2 Tomatoes skinned, seeded and finely chopped
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley

Mix all ingredients together in a glass jar, with screw lid – shake well and check seasoning, store in refrigerator.

Amazing serving suggestions:

• Apple & Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese and candied Pecans
• Healthy Summer Salad with Red Onions and Feta

The cosmetics brand, loved by women of all generations and famous for its ‘thousands of luminous spheres’, is back and giving away a fabulous trip for two to Sydney. Iconic NZ brand, Natural Glow, is now on Facebook and wants to know what makes Kiwi women feel truly happy and beautiful on the inside and out. (more…)