Find Your Fish Movement founder Talei Bryant has been recognised as one of Kiwibank’s Local Hero medallists this year.

Ms Bryant is an attendance co-ordinator and year 9 dean at Whakatāne High School and runs the school’s Junior A Volleyball team.

She is also a Mana Taiohi facilitator, a member of the Tāneatua Community Board, and a youth engagement officer with the Whakatāne District Council.

She was one of 100 people awarded the medal across New Zealand.

Ms Bryant's friend from the YWCA and several of her friends from the Y25 training programme nominated her for the award.

She said she was humbled to receive the medal alongside so many amazing people, such as Tāme Iti.

“It’s a massive privilege and is a testament to the rangatahi I serve, and the communities I am a part of.”

She started the Find Your Fish Movement to provide holiday and youth programmes for young people in the Eastern Bay.

“We provide opportunities and workshops for young people,” she said.

She received the news while at the Junior Volleyball Nationals in Auckland.

“At first, I thought it was spam, before reading I was one of the 100 people.

“To be acknowledged was awesome, and at a time I was doing something I loved surrounded by my amazing team, was even better,” she said.

“A shoutout to my mum, siblings and friends who support me and all the kaupapa I do.

“They’re the real MVPs; without them I wouldn’t be who or where I am today.”