North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Student gets kudos from navy
A young girl has been praised for her design entered into the navy’s nationwide badge-design competition.
Mia Kordic, 11, from Torbay School made it to the top 10 finalists, from 250 entries.
While not the eventual winner, the chief of navy was so impressed with Mia’s design that he wanted to acknowledge her contribution.
So, he sent the newly appointed commanding officer of the Aotearoa, Captain Garin Golding, to her school to acknowledge Mia in front of a full assembly.
Mia received a navy mug with her name on it, and a handwritten letter from the chief of navy.
‘‘I was really proud, I didn’t expect that’’ Mia said.
‘‘I just wanted to be a part of the competition, so I gave it a go.
‘‘Really excited, the most exciting moment of my life.’’
After being welcomed with a powhiri and a performance from the kapa haka group, Golding explained to the school what the new Aotearoa’s badge was for.
The navy badge was an important part of the ship and, for Aotearoa, the chief of navy wanted New Zealanders to participate in the design of the badge for the new ship.
‘‘It is a navy tanker, which is like a petrol station in the middle of the ocean, ‘‘ Golding explained to the children.
‘‘It can also make lots of water, and is built big and strong to take supplies to the scientists in Antartica.’’
Mia, a now Northcross Intermediate pupil, was at Torbay Primary school when she entered the competition last year.
So, she was invited back to her old primary school for the special presentation.
Torbay school was gifted the chief of navy’s personal crest to place on the grounds.
Her design was based on three largest mountains in New Zealand, with Aotearoa at its centre.
Mia’s teachers encouraged the whole class to enter in the design making competition.
‘‘My teachers were so excited, both wanted to tell me first. It was funny,’’ Mia said.
Aotearoa was the navy’s newest ship, currently being built in Korea.
It replaces decommissioned
Endeavour.
It would be arriving in New Zealand in 2020. Visit aotearoa.mil.nz to find out more. the frigate just the