His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG KVCO met and presented Gold Award Certificates to seven teenage parents from Taonga Education Centre who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award Programme through the support of Max Fashions Ltd. On hand to witness the event was Sandy Burgham, Marketing Director of Max Fashions Ltd and a number of her colleagues including Adine Wilson, Advisory Trustee of the Max Fashions Foundation for New Zealand Women.

Five further recipients received their Gold Award at the Ceremony where guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Manukau City Len Brown and Shirley Ann Inglis, Sir George and Lady Fistonich of Villa Maria Estate, Dame Jenny Gibbs a Member of The International Fellowship of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and members of the Hillary family - Lady June, Sarah Hillary, Yvonne Oomen and Alexander Hillary.

His Royal Highness wore his personal Korowai (Maori cloak) that he had bought with him to New Zealand. This was only the second ceremony that he wore it on his entire tour.

Amongst the Bronze and Silver Awardees to meet His Royal Highness were a number of youth from Marae around Auckland who undertake The Award programme through a Partnership between The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award and the Ministry of Youth Development..

In his address Andrew Meehan, Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, encouraged "all of our young people to continue to strive and to push your own personal boundaries - not only for your own betterment, but also for the betterment of our country".