Supporting young people to reach their potential — through leadership, education, and opportunity — is a key focus for Milson Rotary. One recent highlight of this commitment was hearing directly from a group of outstanding students from Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School (PNINS), who came to thank the club for helping make their dream come true.
At our recent meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming librarian and team coach Lynette Collis, Deputy Principal Becky James, Principal Mr Hamish Ruawai, and four remarkable students — Annabelle, Avon, Yali, and Hridaansh — who represented both their school and New Zealand at the World Kids’ Lit Quiz Final held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August.
“We are incredibly proud of these students. They represented New Zealand with grace, enthusiasm, and heart — and we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of supporters like Milson Rotary.”
From Local Heats to the World Stage
Their journey began back in April with the Manawatū regional heat, where 45 teams competed by answering questions on children’s literature. The PNINS team described the event as “intense, stressful, but exciting.” Their enthusiasm and teamwork paid off — they qualified for the National Final in Wellington.
At Nationals, the competition took on a faster, buzzer-style format. Against 18 of the best teams from around the country, PNINS surged ahead early and maintained their lead to become New Zealand champions. This victory earned them the incredible opportunity to represent the country at the World Final in South Africa.
Fundraising and Community Support
Winning Nationals was only the beginning. The prize covered just part of the travel costs, so the team had to raise thousands of dollars to make the trip possible. They rolled up their sleeves and got to work — running sausage sizzles, bake sales, raffles, and quiz nights.
The support of the community and local organisations made a huge difference. Milson Rotary’s sponsorship of Annabellehelped the team meet their funding goals and ensured that every member could take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
An Unforgettable South African Adventure
The team’s presentation brought their adventure to life with photos, humour, and heartfelt reflections. Their trip began with an early morning flight from Wellington, and a few travel challenges along the way — including delayed flights and lost luggage!
Once settled in Johannesburg, the students experienced both the excitement of safari wildlife and the depth of South Africa’s history. They visited Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum, learning about human rights and resilience in the face of injustice.
At St John’s College, where the world final was held, the team met students from six other countries. They took part in a gift exchange ceremony, presenting the South African team with a handcrafted tonga made at school, along with a New Zealand picture book.
The quiz itself was described as “nerve-wracking but exhilarating,” with 70 challenging questions over ten rounds. While the NZ team didn’t place in the top three, they were proud of their performance and grateful for the friendships and experiences they gained.
Their time in South Africa wasn’t all study and competition — they also learned to play the marimba, saw an African adaptation of Shakespeare’s plays, visited a theme park, and even enjoyed desserts made by a Michelin-star chef at the Harry Potter–themed gala dinner.
Lessons That Last
To conclude their presentation, the students reflected on how the trip strengthened PNINS’s five key values:
Confidence – speaking to international audiences and performing under pressure.
Persistence – overcoming travel hiccups, jet lag, and months of training.
Organisation – planning and preparing for every stage of the competition.
Resilience – seeing the injustices of apartheid and learning from history.
Getting Along – making new friends from around the world through a shared love of books.
A Lasting Impact
Annabelle, the student sponsored by Milson Rotary, spoke sincerely about what the club’s support meant to her and her family. “Your sponsorship made this experience possible for me,” she said. “It helped our team travel, learn, and grow in ways we’ll never forget.”
For the students, teachers, and families, this journey was far more than a competition — it was a chance to see the world, build confidence, and create memories that will inspire them for years to come.
As Lynette summed up: “We are incredibly proud of these students. They represented New Zealand with grace, enthusiasm, and heart — and we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of supporters like Milson Rotary.”
Milson Rotary’s Speaker Thanks
After the team’s presentation, the club offered its thanks and appreciation:
“We started off by supporting Annabelle, but as we know from tonight, we weren’t just supporting her. We were actually supporting a team — and really, a whole family. The support of the school is so obvious, through your organisation, patience, and the rigour it takes to send young people away on something like this.
I took the opportunity to watch part of the final online — and I have to admit, after about 17 questions, I hadn’t got one right! You really do know your stuff, and you should be proud of your achievements.
Perhaps not the perfect introduction to international travel with all that missing luggage — but you’ve already done something most of us will never do in a lifetime: you’ve represented New Zealand.
The lessons you’ve learned on this journey will stay with you and serve you well. On behalf of the club, thank you once again for coming tonight and sharing your story.” - Murray