Record-breaking ultra-marathon swimmer and former Carmel College student Caitlin O'Reilly, aged 20, was the Supreme Award winner at the 30th AIMES Awards Gala Dinner held at Shed 10 in the city on Saturday 24 May. Caitlin received the Sir Peter Blake Trophy and a total grant of $30,000.
A crowd of just under 600 people attended the black-tie event, celebrating three decades of the North Harbour Club rewarding youth excellence. During those 30 years, the organisation has provided $3.4 million worth of grants to young people achieving excellence in the arts, innovation, music, education, sport and service to the community. The event was MCed by Toni Street and Sam Wallace and featured musical performances from previous AIMES Award recipients as well as those receiving awards in 2025.
Supreme award winner Caitlin O'Reilly’s achievements have been phenomenal. She has received AIMES Junior and Emerging Talent awards previously from the North Harbour Club. In 2025, she was also the joint recipient of the AIMES Sport Award, sponsored by AUT Millennium.
Caitlin is a record-breaking ultra-marathon swimmer, becoming the youngest person in the world to complete the Ocean Seven Challenge – a series of seven of the most gruelling open-water swims across the globe. A Carmel College alumna and swimmer for the North Shore Swim Club at AUT Millennium, she began her journey in open-water swimming at just 12, becoming the youngest female to swim the Cook Strait.
Since then, Caitlin has tackled some of the most challenging swims in history. In 2023, she completed three of the toughest Northern Hemisphere swims in just five weeks and earned the fastest female time for the English Channel. In 2024, she returned to Hawaii to finish the Molokai Channel, battling extreme currents and multiple jellyfish stings to complete the 42km swim in 13 hours and 18 minutes.
“Receiving the AIMES Award is an incredible honour. The support from the North Harbour Club has been instrumental in my swimming journey,” says Caitlin.
Imogen Harwood (24) was the recipient of the AIMES Arts Award for 2025, receiving a cash grant of $15,000. The AIMES Arts Award is sponsored by Milford Asset Management.
Imogen is an accomplished musical theatre performer and classical musician, currently training at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) in the United Kingdom. A Kristin School alumna, her passion for theatre and music was ignited by school productions, culminating in her lead role as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera - an experience that solidified her decision to pursue a career in the arts.
After completing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Singing and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland, Imogen moved to the United Kingdom to further her training. Since enrolling at GSA, she has performed in West End concerts, secured leading roles in productions at the academy, and auditioned for major industry names such as Cameron Mackintosh and Pippa Ailion.
Beyond performing, Imogen remains deeply connected to the North Harbour community, frequently returning to mentor young performers and participate in special alumni events.
“I would be nowhere without the North Harbour community; this is where I discovered my love for theatre and music,” says Imogen.
With her talent and determination, Imogen is set to make a lasting impact in musical theatre, proudly representing New Zealand on the world stage.
Max Lawton (24) received the AIMES Innovation Award for 2025 and a cash grant of $15,000. The AIMES Innovation Award is sponsored by Bridgewest Group. Max has received an AIMES Emerging Talent Award previously.
Max is an entrepreneur, innovator, and marketing strategist dedicated to driving change through technology, sustainability and brand leadership. A Rangitoto College alumnus, Max co-founded WasteXpert™, a platform revolutionising waste and material management in New Zealand and beyond. WasteXpert™ has secured several large councils as clients, including Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin City Council.
Alongside his sustainability work, Max has led global marketing and retail expansion strategies for Free AF, an alcohol-free beverage brand. His efforts helped secure placements in over 4,000 retail stores across the United States, including Target and Walmart. His digital marketing campaigns have reached millions worldwide, featuring partnerships with Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner to promote alcohol-free lifestyles.
Since applying for the AIMES Award, the V2 WasteXpert™ software is nearing completion with TNE.ai.
“The AIMES Award is a moment to take a breath and appreciate how far things have come. It reminds me that big ideas, no matter how ambitious, are worth chasing,” says Max.
Connor Gentry (23) was the 2025 recipient of the AIMES Music Award and a cash grant of $15,000. The AIMES Music Award is sponsored by RSM.
Connor is a jazz trombonist and composer, currently based in Austria, where he is pursuing a Master’s in Jazz Trombone at Kunstuniversität Graz. A Whangaparaoa College alumnus, his passion for music was ignited as a teenager, and he has since become one of New Zealand’s most promising jazz musicians.
Connor has performed with top international jazz ensembles, being selected twice for the JM Jazz World Orchestra, where he represented New Zealand on a European tour from Dubrovnik to Berlin. He was also selected for the Rotary World Jazz Orchestra, performing in Portugal, and has worked with renowned jazz artists such as Vince Mendoza and the Croatian Radio and Television Jazz Orchestra.
Connor is taking part in major festivals across Europe and will soon perform at two of Austria’s most prestigious venues, Dom im Berg in Graz, and Porgy & Bess in Vienna, alongside Mendoza.
“Receiving this award is incredibly validating for my career path. It supports my studies and allows me to continue pushing boundaries in jazz,” says Connor.
With his talent and dedication, Connor is not only making a name for himself internationally but also paving the way for the next generation of New Zealand jazz musicians.
Hunter Haynes (20), currently studying at Harvard University was the recipient of the AIMES Education Award, receiving a cash grant of $15,000. The AIMES Education Award is sponsored by Kristin School.
A former Deputy Head Boy and Academic Captain at Westlake Boys High School, 20-year-old Hunter is now a second-year student at Harvard, pursuing a degree in History and Literature with minors in Chinese and Integrative Biology. Maintaining a perfect GPA, he has been recognised as a John Harvard Scholar, awarded to the top 5% of students, and received the prestigious Detur Book Prize for academic excellence.
Hunter's passion for learning extends beyond the classroom. He is a member of the Harvard College Debating Union, where he has competed internationally, and serves as a Director for the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations. His academic journey has also taken him to the National Taiwan University for intensive Mandarin studies, where he achieved a high-level proficiency rating.
Deeply connected to the North Harbour community, Hunter has contributed to youth initiatives, including serving as Treasurer for the Devonport-Takapuna Youth Board and leading the Westlake UNICEF Club, which raised over $5,000 for charity.
“It is an enormous honour to receive the AIMES Education Award,” says Hunter. “The North Harbour region shaped my journey, and this recognition allows me to continue exploring my educational passions without constraint.”
Hunter plans to use the AIMES Award to support his studies and future research, aiming to make a meaningful impact in academia and international relations.
Sanaa Nair (24) received the AIMES Service to the Community Award for 2025, along with a cash grant of $15,000. The award is sponsored by Albany Toyota.
Spending her summer holidays in Taurikura, Whangārei, known as the ‘Bay of the Stingrays,’ 24-year-old Sanaa developed a deep connection with the ocean, sparking a lifelong passion for marine conservation. A former Westlake Girls High School student, she is now pursuing a Master of Science in marine research, dedicating herself to protecting ocean ecosystems and advocating for environmental sustainability.
Sanaa has volunteered extensively with organisations such as Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand (MWANZ), BLAKE, LegaSea, and AUT, focusing on community-driven conservation efforts. Her work includes manta ray surveys, public outreach, and citizen science initiatives that bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. She also plays a key role in marine education, inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
Since applying for the AIMES Award, Sanaa has been officially offered an internship with the Manta Trust in the Maldives, where she will work on vital manta ray conservation research. The AIMES Award will help fund this opportunity, allowing her to expand her research and advocacy work.
“This award is a catalyst for future impact,” says Sanaa. “It removes financial barriers, ensuring I can continue turning research into meaningful conservation outcomes.”
Through her dedication, Sanaa is making a tangible difference in marine protection, proving that science and community action go hand in hand.
Olympic gold medalist Tara Vaughan (21) was the joint recipient of the AIMES Sport Award for 2025 (with Caitlin O’Reilly). She received a cash grant of $15,000 for the award, which is sponsored by AUT Millennium.
Tara won Olympic gold in the Women’s K4 500m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, part of the team that secured New Zealand’s first-ever Olympic gold in this event. A Westlake Girls High School alumna, she grew up on the North Shore, where her passion for water sports was sparked through surf lifesaving at Mairangi Bay Surf Club.
Her kayaking career accelerated in 2022 when she was invited to join the Women’s High-Performance team, competing at the Canoe Sprint World Cups and winning silver in Poland. In 2023, she and her team made history by claiming New Zealand’s first-ever K4 500m World Championship title, securing their spot at the Paris Olympics, where they went on to win gold in a thrilling final.
Beyond competition, Tara is committed to inspiring the next generation, working as an Olympic Ambassador while pursuing a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at AUT.
“Receiving an AIMES Award is an incredible honour. Being recognised by the North Harbour community makes it even more special,” says Tara.
Tara is a past AIMES Award recipient, a testament to her continued dedication to excellence. With her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she is determined to build on her success and keep New Zealand at the forefront of international sprint kayaking.
Two additional awards were also presented on the night, the AIMES Ross Finlayson Award (named after the late founder of the North Harbour Club) and an AIMES Judges Special Award.
The AIMES Ross Finlayson Award was presented to Ngaawaimarino Simpkins (17). Ngaawaimarino was awarded with the opportunity to attend an Outward Bound or similar leadership programme. The award is sponsored by Alvarium.
At 17, Ngaawaimarino is a dedicated leader, athlete, and advocate for Te Reo Māori, and has already made a lasting impact in both sports and cultural leadership. A former Head Girl at Rangitoto College, she has excelled across rugby, netball, volleyball, tag, and surf lifesaving, while also leading initiatives that celebrate and uplift Māori culture within her school and the wider community.
Ngaawai has represented North Harbour in volleyball and netball, earning multiple national championship titles, including U17 Beach Volleyball National Champion and U19 Māori Netball third place. She was also named Rangitoto Rugby MVP and competed internationally in Global Sevens. Beyond sports, she was the 2024 Rangitoto Manukura (Top Māori Achiever) and Kaitātaki Wahine (female leader) of her kapa haka group.
Since graduating, she has begun full immersion studies at Te Wānanga Takiura, dedicated to reclaiming her fluency in Te Reo Māori and thereby strengthening her connection to her Māori culture.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honour. It fuels my passion for Te Reo Māori and my commitment to supporting and uplifting communities,” says Ngaawai.
With her drive, leadership and cultural pride, Ngaawai is shaping a future where Māori language and identity continue to thrive.
The AIMES Judges Special Award was presented to Steven Li (24), who received a cash grant of $8,000 from the North Harbour Club.
Steven is a community leader and sports advocate, committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in rugby. A Rangitoto College alumnus, he arrived in New Zealand at age 13 and found a sense of belonging through sport, leading him to establish the Auckland Asian Rugby Club (AARC) in 2022.
Since its launch, AARC has introduced over 700 Asian migrants to rugby, breaking down cultural barriers and building confidence through sport. Steven has also been a North Harbour Rugby referee since 2018, a coach for the first-ever Chinese Rugby Initiative run by New Zealand Rugby, and a volunteer for multiple North Shore community events.
His contributions to the game have been recognised with the ASB Te Hāpai Community Impact Award, Harbour Sport Excellence Volunteer of the Year, and multiple leadership accolades.
“Receiving the AIMES Award is an incredible honour. It supports my mission to make rugby more inclusive and provide life-changing opportunities for new migrants,” says Steven.
With his passion for sport and community, Steven is leading the way in reshaping New Zealand rugby to be more diverse and accessible for future generations.
These awards were announced on the evening and then presented at a special cocktail evening held at The B:Hive at Smales Farm. This event was held after the issue of Channel Magazine went to print. The recipients were:
2025 North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent Awards
Sponsored by Anderson.
Bailey Flavell (17) Basketball; Lauren Wycherley (16) Ballet; Lewis Bower (20) Cycling; Madeleine Xiao (19) Pianist; Yiyang (Andy) Tao (19) Academia.
Each recipient receives a cash grant of $7,500.
AIMES North Harbour Club Scholarship Awards
Sponsored by Vantage Windows and Doors North Shore.
Mia Rajaratnam (14) Dancer; Cecilia Lin (17) Community Service; Gabrielle Doyle (18) Water Polo; Joe Leith (17) Sailing; Alex Liang (16) Innovation/Technology; Nathan Fry (16) Musician; Tom Talbot (18) Music; Yuetong (Victoria) Xin (13) Golfer; Yuyang Ding (17) Musician; Zachary Robertson (18) Marine Conservation.
Each recipient receives a cash grant of $3,000.
For more information visit northharbourclub.co.nz
