The supreme ‘Eye of the Needle’ Maori Innovation Icon award was presented on Saturday night by the Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples to Travis O’Keefe, founder of Health TV which screens in medical centres as a new way of spreading health and wellbeing information.
His vision came from the idea that Maori are more receptive to messages about lifestyle change and health once they are facing the reality of being in a medical centre with a health problem. O’Keefe (Ngati Porou), is also is a partner in media technology company Creative Gene and shareholder of IMTV.
In addition, these four people were honoured as Innovation Icons:
Rhonda Kite (Te Aupouri). Award-winning television and film producer, developing multi-lingual IT solutions for film, television and mobile entertainment. Awarded 2007 Hollywood Post Alliance Special Recognition in Engineering Excellence award for Voice Q film sound dubbing system, which is widely used in the global film industry, including the European dubbing of the Tom Cruise movie ‘Valkyrie’.
Alan Wichman (Ngati Porou/Rarotonga), who developed biological deep tissue treatment and acceleration of cell regeneration which enabled him to save the legs of three patients aged 60+. He also developed an atomic molecular targeting system for waste water treatment.
Glen Katu (Ngati Rereahu/Ngati Maniapoto). MWDI Maori Business Award overall excellence winner in 2005; successful 3-year trial of a wild simulated ginseng crop in 2006; launched Toku Gourmet Paua productions in 2007; Harakeke Plantation at Pureroa (2007); opened Pa Harakeke Eco-Cultural Facility at Pureroa in 2009.
Taonga Education Centre, Manukau City (Georgina Kupa, Anne Candy, Marama Whaiapa). For providing innovative education opportunities and support systems for teenage pregnant mothers.
And two Innovation Icons for Rangatahi (youth) were presented:
Maurice Tipene (Te Arawa/Ngati Awa/Ngapuhi). For innovative mechanics in engineering. He was the captain of the Massey University World VEX Robotics Championship 2008 winning team.
Dr Adele Whyte (Ngati Kahungunu/Whakatohea) devised innovative ways of assisting academic achievement in low decile schools in Porirua, graduated PhD in Environmental Toxicology in 2006, resulting in an ongoing research partnership with NgaPuhi and contributing to Kahungunu Marine Management plan.