Two Unitec teams make 'Big Break' finals this Friday

^{29 August 2012}

Four teams, including two from Unitec Institute of Technology, have been selected from 214 New Zealand entrants as finalists in The CPA Big Break Project.

The CPA Big Break Project is a trans-Tasman competition for undergraduate students which aims to solve a real-world business problem facing the not-for-profit organisation, Make-A-Wish®. 

Congratulations to the two finalist teams from Unitec:

The Wish - Wendy Hawkes and Yue Lin (with sponsor support from senior finance and accounting lecturer, James Stewart)

The Unitec Dream Team - Philip Leveanasiga and Apisai Leveanasiga (with sponsor support from management and marketing lecturer, Daniel Hunt)

They will meet the two other finalist teams, both from the University of Canterbury, at the New Zealand regional final this Friday, 31st August in Auckland.

Each finalist will present a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) of Make-A-Wish® to a judging panel:

David Jenkins, Country Manager New Zealand, CPA Australia

Mark Stinson, New Zealand branch President, CPA Australia

Barry Leitch, Trustee, Make-A-Wish® New Zealand

Liam Dann, Business Editor, New Zealand Herald

The winning New Zealand team members will each receive an Apple iPad, a AUD$1,000 clothing voucher and a trip to Melbourne to contest the final round against other teams from around Australia.

After final round judging in Melbourne on 3 October, the overall winning team will be announced and will receive AUD$20,000 in cash and a CPA Program Scholarship for each team member. The winning team’s tertiary institution will also receive $AUD50,000 to enhance educational outcomes for their students.

CPA Australia’s country manager for New Zealand, David Jenkins, says he is looking forward to hearing the presentations from the New Zealand finalists.  “The CPA Big Break Project is an outstanding opportunity for New Zealand undergraduates to put their skills to the test in a real-life business situation against the best from Australia," says Mr Jenkins.

"Based on the strong interest shown by students in the competition, I’m confident a New Zealand team can go on and take the overall prize – and get a great kick-start to their careers."

Carolyn MacDonell, CEO of Make-A-Wish® New Zealand, says “As an organisation that relies solely on donations of time, services and financial gifts to deliver on our mission, we can’t wait to see what our best and brightest students come up with to help us continue making wishes come true for sick Kiwi kids.”

The competition, organised by global accounting body CPA Australia, is being run for the first time in New Zealand this year with winning students set to share over AUD$100,000 in cash and prizes for themselves and their tertiary institution.

Click here for more information about the CPA Big Break.