In the future, Chinese nationals may be treated in hospital by a Kiwi doctor fluent in their language.

Michael Stanley has just finished Year 13 at Rotorua Boys' High School. He is off to the University of Otago next year to study first year Health Sciences on his way to hopefully following his father in becoming a doctor.

His love of speaking and writing the Chinese language. He began at an early age and has developed considerably during his time at Rotorua Boys'.

In 2018, he competed at the Wellington Regional Chinese Speech Competition where his third place qualified him to compete at the New Zealand Chinese Bridge Competition.

He was awarded the ICBC Cup for finishing third overall and won the right to represent New Zealand at the World Chinese Speech Competition held in China. Sadly, it was close to exam time so he was not able to go.

This year, he took part in the New Zealand School Students Chinese Short Film Contest and received the best language award.

'In Year 9 it's compulsory to take Chinese and I had done it in primary school and intermediate so had already been introduced to the language,” says Michael.

'Probably the most fascinating thing about Chinese is definitely learning how to write the characters. It's totally different from English where we have an alphabet. In Chinese, there are characters for each word really.

'So that took my interest and then I just kept going. My teacher Miss Chen was brilliant at Rotorua Boys' and had a lot to do with encouraging me to continue. I took it all the way through high school and really enjoyed it.”

Michael's sport of choice is gymnastics, where he was definitely a high achiever.

He won several national titles with 2017 his finest year. Competing at his sixth New Zealand Gymnastics Championships at Level 8, Michael became national champion after winning gold in high bar and pommel and bronze on the floor and rings.

Michael was also a member of the New Zealand trans-Tasman team and won silver for team and bronze on floor, high bar and pommel.

He also won the New Zealand MAG Senior Levels Gymnast of the Year trophy.

He then represented New Zealand at the Valeri Liukin Invitational in Houston, Texas where he won a silver medal on the floor apparatus.

'That was the biggest competition that I ever competed in and prior to that winning the nationals at my level was a highlight. Gymnastics is not that popular here so to do well like that was something special I think.”

Academically Michael has a fine record at Rotorua Boys' High School.

He was Dux Litterarum in each year level from 2015 to 2018.

'I am definitely proud of that. In my first year I was not expecting it, but just tried to do all my work to the best of my ability really. Every year I tried to work hard. I think the two biggest things are being consistent and to maintain your discipline.”

Michael is also proud to be one of the 2019 Rotorua Young Achievers.

'I think the main thing is it is a way of acknowledging those who not only do well academically but sporting wise and culturally as well. That was a big thing for me.”

* The annual Young Achievers awards are sponsored by the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (RECT) for success across sports, cultural, community, academic and leadership fields.