Whakatāne’s Esther Pearce has achieved the Queen’s Guide Award, the highest recognition in GirlGuiding New Zealand and an honour earned by only a small number of 12-17-year-old Rangers each year.

Esther, a Whakatāne High School student, began her guiding journey as a Pippin and continued through Brownies and Guides, earning the top award in every section along the way.

“I knew I wanted to become a Queen’s Guide when I was a Brownie, so I just kept working towards it,” she said.

At the Queen’s Guide Retreat, where candidates present their final reflections, Esther discovered just how full her journey had been: more than 40 camps and over 180 badges or certificates.

“But it’s not just been about me. I’ve had input from my unit leaders and, at camps, from over 45 leaders and hundreds of other girls,” she said.

The Queen’s Guide Award requires completing 12 certificates across themes such as the Great Outdoors, Girls with a Cause, Embracing Responsibility and Living Well.

Rangers plan and interpret each challenge themselves, developing independence and leadership along the way.

Esther says the programme has helped her strengthen teamwork, organisation and time-management skills.

"I’ve taught myself how to digitally enhance photos for the Te Papa certificate in order to repair a damaged photo of my grandfather for my grandmother.”

Outdoor challenges have taken her on two Great Walks, and she attended a Discovery Camp on Stewart Island: “We kayaked while sea lions swam around us.”

As a member of the Girl Advisory Panel, she also contributes youth perspectives to national decision-making.

Her Special Activity took her overseas as part of the Hitachi Exchange with the Girl Scouts of Japan, an experience she first had as a young Pippin.

“Meeting the girls who came here in 2023 again was special. One became my host sister this year,” she said.

The group spent nine months preparing for the exchange, from learning Japanese greetings to fundraising and creating activities to share.

Although she has now completed the award, Esther’s guiding journey continues. She will move into the Connect section, supporting camps and units, planning new adventures with fellow Rangers, and attending the Vice-Regal Queen’s Guide Presentation at Government House.

“I was selected to attend the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School in January next year, with some of the girls I already know, so that will be a lot of new learning too.”

Beyond Guiding, through school, Esther was part of the winning national champion Senior EPro8 engineering and problem-solving team and plays goalkeeper for the school’s 1st XI hockey team.

Grateful for the support she has received, Esther encourages other girls to give guiding a go.

“I’ve loved seeing younger girls come through and helping them on camps. Anyone who thinks they might enjoy it should come along and see what it’s all about.”

GirlGuiding continues in Whakatāne with Thursday night Guide Club meetings. For information on Pippins (5-7), Brownies (7-9), Guides (9-12) and Rangers (12-17), visit girlguidingnz.org.nz/join-us.