Creative students at Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) have launched 12 new businesses this year through the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), a programme where students set up and run real businesses.

Their products range from a soothing balm designed for skin exposed to alpine air to cat-scratching beds made from recycled building products and a natural bug repellent.

Year 13 students Ella Asberg, Lili Kaler, Jack Labes and Jack Ramsey said their ‘Summit Soothe’ balm was designed for “life in the mountains”.

It is infused with kawakawa and lavender to soothe chapped lips, dry skin, and irritation caused by harsh alpine conditions.

Kitchen Canvas tea towels, another new product from this year’s Enterprise class, feature “time-honoured recipes passed down through generations of local families”.

“Each recipe tells a story of tradition and community, making this more than just a kitchen essential - it’s a piece of Wānaka’s living history,” creators Amber Leslie, Chloe Field, Leah Polk, Madison Hosking and Caitlin Harridge said. 

Another group of students - Harrison Eastwood, Ben Quarrie, Caleb Young, Luca Frires and Seb Small - had men’s mental health in mind when they created their product ‘Take a Hint', which comes under the brand name ‘Scents of Humour’.

‘Take A Hint' is a solid cologne made with jojoba, coconut oil and fragrance oils.

“Our goal is to raise awareness for men's mental health so we are putting 10 percent of our profits into Movember, a charity based around changing men's mental health for the better,” they said.

Through the long running YES programme, students bring their own products to market and gain level three NCEA university entrance-approved credits at the same time.

There are 35 students taking part in YES this year and they have created 12 products in total.

PHOTO: Supplied