**Superintendent Fata Willi Fanene and Peers’ Choice Award winner Amy Smith, Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Whenuapai Air Force Base**

Tūrangi teen Amy Smith has completed two Blue Light programmes, and her coinfidence is sky-high.

She did the Leadership Camp in 2025 and recently completed the Life Skills Camp from 19 to 23 January 2026, where she was voted Peers’ Choice by other participants and the New Zealand Defence Force Youth Development Unit.

The Life Skills camps are run by the Police-led Blue Light organisation, in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force, and it provides young people with a unique chance to develop confidence, leadership skills, and resilience.

Winning the Peers’ Choice Award at Blue Light's recent Life Skills camp in Whenuapai was the perfect way for Amy to conclude a week of achieving personal goals.

It was in recognition of “the positive impact she had on motivating and supporting those around her to succeed”, Blue Light Camp Coordinator Easter Misi says.

“I learnt to work as a team with people I barely knew, I made friendships in a short time, I learnt to be patient when helping people and thinking outside the box if no other way works. I also learnt how to make scones, tie knots, and build a stretcher," Amy says.

Remembering her win Amy (15), who attends Napier Girls’ High School, says she was a bit nervous “that I would muck up in front of everyone” when she was walking up to get her award.

“After I had marched back, I was shaking because I was so proud of myself.”

**Amy Smith (middle) alongside fellow award winners at the Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Whenuapai Air Force Base.**

Easter says Amy’s leadership and positive attitude were evident throughout the week.

“Amy is a determined and supportive team member who consistently encourages and uplifts her peers to achieve their best.

“Her kindness, leadership, and commitment to team success earned her the Peer Choice Award, as recognised by her peers for her positive impact and dedication during challenging tasks.”

Amy has advice for other teens considering attending a camp.

“It is challenging but fun, it pushes you outside your comfort zone in the best way. You leave with more confidence, new skills and lifelong friendships.”

Amy’s mum, Kate, also strongly recommends the camps to other families.

“My daughter came away buzzing with so many stories... I just couldn’t stop her talking about the friends she made and tasks she participated in... once you get in and get settled and start talking to others, everyone is in the same boat.”

Amy’s focus is now on finishing her last three years of college, then finding something she loves and enjoys after that.

Blue Light’s Life Skills Camps provide young people with a unique opportunity to develop confidence, leadership skills, and resilience and has been running for the past 14 years.

Adventure-based experiential learning is a key part of the programme.

It provides 14-17-year-olds with critical life skills such as self-development, self-control, and teamwork that enable them to be successful at home, school, in communities, and in employment.

Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, Trentham, Waiouru and Burnham.

For more information about the Blue Light Life Skills camps, visit www.bluelight.co.nz.

Blue Light is grateful for the support of the sponsorship of the Lion Foundation and community supporters.

See www.bluelight.co.nz or visit www.facebook.com/nzbluelight

About New Zealand Blue Light

Blue Light is a not-for-profit charity that works in partnership with the Police to create positive connections between young people and the Police, helping young people find direction, fun, and a sense of belonging within their communities, enabling young people to develop life skills, leadership skills, and find employment opportunities.

Blue Light believes that it is through the empowerment of disadvantaged youth to reach their full potential that their overall well-being can be improved, and in turn, the well-being of their communities.

**Amy Smith (fourth from left) alongside fellow camp participants, newly made friends, completing a hands-on firefighting activity at the Blue Light Life Skills Camp.**

Blue Light achieves this through removing the barriers for disadvantaged youth to participate positively in the community, through both its national and locally-based programmes, activities, and events.

Blue Light’s work in the community is unique – it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We have 78 local branches working with NZ Police to create meaningful experiences for young people in their regions, including cultural, sporting, and educational activities that are alcohol, drug, and violence-free.

Although Blue Light is supported by the Police, the two operate totally independently.

For many participants, the programmes decrease the risk of youth offending and becoming victims of crime through access to positive role models, time with other young people away and the opportunity to see the world outside their current environment.

Blue Light originally began in Australia as a community policing initiative and remains strong in all states.

As well as in New Zealand, it is now active in the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, and Scotland.

See www.bluelight.co.nz or visit www.facebook.com/nzbluelight