Parris Goebel
Young New Zealander of the Year
2014
University of Canterbury
Young New Zealander of the Year
Te Mātātahi o te Tau
Parris Goebel
Parris Goebel is a young passionate dancer committed to her dancers and her craft as a hip hop/street dance artist.
Parris has benefited dancers in New Zealand through training Gold medallist teams to compete at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships since 2009 and has brought back over 80 gold medals including back to back championship wins.
Parris Goebel has embraced young people whom she trains to become better dancers, taught them to believe in themselves and that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and dedication.
Parris Goebels′ dance company – The Palace Dance Studio, supports and contributes to their local communities through performance based activities that lift and inspire people of all ages.
Parris has demonstrated leadership in a global capacity marking the world with her signature dance style “POLYSWAG”. She has been teaching all over the world from Japan to Brazil! She has open doors for dancers in New Zealand that never would have had the opportunities such as dancing in a JLO music video, performing on the finale of American Idol, Americas Best Dance Crew and still continuing to produce local shows to captivate and uplift dancers here in New Zealand.
Parris has trained under and with some of the most renowned choreographers in the world. She was asked also to assist in choreographing Michael Jackson′s ONE show in Las Vegas for Cirque du Soleil.
The leaders of tomorrow, brimming with the potential to build a bright future for Aotearoa. These people strive to improve themselves, their communities, and their nation.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be aged between 15-30 years, at the open of nominations on 24 July 2024.
- Have had significant positive impact over the past 12 months.
- Be a role model for young New Zealanders and highlight that change is possible at any age.
- Meet the Awards Conditions of Entry.
Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:
- 10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION
Describe the person you are nominating and what they’ve done to inspire you over the past year to nominate them as 2025 University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o te Tau. - 10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from this person’s work, contribution, or influence – and how? - 10 points: LEADERSHIP:
How does this person set a positive example for other young people and showing them the potential for change. - 10 points: COMMITMENT:
Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing). What have they done that has gone above and beyond to show leadership, create change, and give back? - 10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
How has this person clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence? How has this been measured? - 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
If known, how does the nominee plan to grow and/or adapt their work, contribution, or influence in the future? How would winning this award impact this person and the work that they are doing?
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