Three Katikati College students have earned $6000 for their school after coming up with some ‘amazing ideas' in a competition aimed at getting students to think about the benefits of ultra-fast broadband.

Piri Weepu (All Black and Amazing Ideas Search Ambassador) presenting a cheque of $6000 to Katikati College students Lucy Douglas, Noor Al-Shamma and Tyler Davidson.

Last term primary, intermediate and secondary students competed in Telecom's first ‘Amazing Ideas Search' competition, which asked school students to suggest ways UFB will enhance lives.

The three winners from Katikati College were Noor Al-Shamma, 11, Tyler Davidson, 12, and Lucy Douglas, 13.

Lucy's idea allowed people to scan a 3-dimensional model full-body portrait of themselves into a computer to allow patients to have online health assessments using UFB.

'I was inspired by the endless possibilities UFB could bring. I wanted to create something to help health and science.”

Katikati College teacher Nicky Walter says the competition has been a rewarding experience for both the school and student's.

"They just have a natural understanding of how technology runs and helps everyday life."

Nicky says the money may be spent on Ipad touches or the Ipad mini including a new video camera for the school.

"We want something that the kids can obviously do a lot of things on."

Other winning ideas included virtual training for professional athletes, online environmental analysis options and recommendations on how to boost the economy by using UFB to make New Zealand a website hosting hub.

Craighead Diocesan School student Zoe McClure, 13, impressed judges with her entry ‘Our Amazing Future.'

Tauranga Boys' College student Jared Prescott, 15, submitted his winning idea which focused on education.

Christchurch winners included Redcliffs School's Room Five and Ouruhia Model School pupil Bethany Watson.

Two winning groups from Southland Girls' High School's special ‘Minds Alive' class submitted their ideas. The class examines a range of global issues from a variety of perspectives.

The competition came about after a $1.35 billion Government initiative that will see 97.8 per cent of New Zealanders connected to ultra-fast broadband (UFB) by 2020.

The initiative will be made through two initiatives - the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative and the Rural Broadband Initiative.

Telecom's Retail Chief Executive Officer Chris Quin says judges were impressed by the energy and creativity entrants displayed.

'The entries reinforced my view that today's young people are operating under a different set of assumptions and paradigms than previous generations.

'They are also adopting technology faster than previous generations. It's an exciting time and I was very much reassured that our fibre future is in good hands thanks to Telecom and Kiwi kids.

'It's also really encouraging to see such incredible innovation from such young people.”

He says the competition was carried out at the right time with New Zealand now past its first year of a nine year $1.3billion rollout of UFB.

'The roll out of UFB is a massive opportunity for our country and what better way to imagine the possibilities fibre offers than through the eyes of children, our next generation.”

One of the judges leading educational expert Dr. John Langley was particularly impressed by the scope and application of the pupils' ideas.