Bianca Ranson has dedicated much of her adult life to getting youth out into nature and on the right track.
Thousands of youth, most of them Māori, have been through Bianca's programmes over the years, just like this one on Waiheke Island.
One that has received special recognition was a youth programme she set up in Kawerau after hearing about some of the issues local teenagers were dealing with.
Next week, Bianca and one of her Kawerau youths will travel to London to receive the International Special Projects fund of the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award which will be presented by Prince Edward.