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Standing with Rangatahi Youth Week is a reminder to celebrate the young people in your life - not just acknowledge them in passing, but really see them. The rangatahi around you are already doing remarkable things; shaping their friendships with care, navigating a complex world with resilience, and bringing energy and ideas that make your world richer! This week is an invitation to tell them so. It doesn't take a grand gesture - it takes intention. Take a moment to look at the young people in your life and ask yourself what you'd want them to know about the difference they make. Celebrating with intention In your community Check out what Youth Week events are happening in your region, see if they need volunteers, donate prizes, or help spread the word Organise your own celebration at work, in your community, or with your whānau to publicly celebrate rangatahi Use your platform to amplify rangatahi -share their events, art, music, or whakaaro with your networks Download our digital assets to show your support. Add Youth Week to your email signature, print a poster, or share on your socials Advocate for rangatahi, speak up in spaces where decisions are being made that impact them With the rangatahi in your ao Send a message, have a kōrero, and remind them why they matter to you Make space to really listen, be open, curious, and led by rangatahi voices (not just responding, but hearing them) Reflect on your mahi, where do rangatahi show up in your work or spaces? How are you including their voices, and does it truly whakamana them? Celebrate their wins - big or small. Acknowledgement goes a long way in building confidence and connection Grow together Support youth-led ideas even if they’re different to what you would do. Back their leadership and trust their perspective Create opportunities for rangatahi to lead whether that’s at work, in your community, or at home Learn from rangatahi. Listen to youth-led podcasts, follow youth creators, and stay open to new whakaaro and perspectives Resources for Celebrating Youth Week Logo Download Youth Week Image 2026 Download Download Youth Week Posters Download Download Customisable Youth Week Posters - Add your own details Edit Edit Edit Edit Customisable Email Signature Edit Customisable Social Media Tiles Edit Edit Edit Edit

Your Week Your Way Youth Week is a time to celebrate the value, awesomeness, and impact of rangatahi and to champion a society that genuinely supports young people to thrive. It's a moment for communities, whānau, and organisations to recognise what young people bring to the table: your creativity, your energy, your courage to imagine things differently, and the very real ways you shape the world around you every single day. More than a calendar event, Youth Week is a collective commitment to a society that supports young people to thrive. Hyping Each Other Up For rangatahi, Youth Week is something a little different. It's not about being handed a trophy for being young - it's an invitation to take up space, make noise, and celebrate the world you and your friends are already creating. It's a chance to amplify the things you care about, showcase what you're building, and connect with others who are doing the same. This week belongs to you - own it! Youth Week is your moment to use your voice to celebrate where you and your crew are at, and everything it took to get here. Look around at the people beside you and think about what they've achieved, what they've built, and the ways they show up every day. This is a week to hype your friends, acknowledge your peers, and shout out the people in your world who deserve to be seen. The friendships, the growth, the moments where you all showed up for each other, that's the stuff worth making noise about. And while you're at it, let yourself be celebrated too because every win you've claimed, every skill you've picked up, every time you backed yourself and it paid off, is worth recognising. So this week, celebrate each other loudly and proudly. Our Voice Matters - Ways to Celebrate Go support your mates - turn up to their game, comp, or training and cheer them on Try something new together - whether it's a random sport, a walk, a swim or just moving your body in a fun way Share your sporting story - you never know if might inspire someone else to start their Sport Shout out to your people - the friends who hype you up, the communities that welcomed you or the creators who inspire you! Create a highlight reel - dig out photos and clips that capture you and your mates' journey so far. Host a Youth Week gaming tournament - whatever the game and whatever the skill level. Online Celebrate your creative friends - ask about their work. go to their exhibitions and show them some aroha Plan a creative hangout - paint, draw, design, or make something together Share your mates' work (with permission) to help their voice and creativity reach more people Art Tell your story in public - write a post, record a video or speak at an event about something you've experienced or believe in. Submit your work somewhere new - send your ideas to a publication, a competition or a platform you've never tried before. Speak at something - volunteer to present, perform, or MC Spoken Word Go to your local Youth Week event and join in the performances and open mic nights Back your talented mates - stream their music, attend their shows and hype them up online Create something together - dance, freestyle or jam, Express yourself! Music & Dance Cook & share a meal - gather your friends and whānau for some kai Document the week - appoint yourself the unofficial archivist of your Youth Week and capture everything through photos, journalling or sketching Do something for your community - organise a clean up, create a mural or plant something! Other Resources for Celebrating Youth Week Logo Download Youth Week Image 2026 Download Download Youth Week Posters Download Download Customisable Youth Week Posters - Add your own details Edit Edit Edit Edit Customisable Email Signature Edit Customisable Social Media Tiles Edit Edit Edit Edit

Youth Led Events Youth-led events are what make Youth Week come alive. Every year, rangatahi around Aotearoa dream up and run their own celebrations - stuff that reflects who they are and what they care about. We’ve seen everything from epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to chill hangouts and sharing kai with the community. Whatever it looks like, Youth Week hits different when it’s led by young people your young people, and that energy is what makes the festival of events so special. Want to build your leadership skills & be part of a team that plans a Youth Week event? Planning a Youth Week event starts with figuring out what you and your crew care about. Think about the kind of vibe you want - something creative, something active, something chill, something that brings people together, or something that uses your voice to spark change. Help Me Plan My Event Running a public event? Add your event to this year's events calendar to spread the word to rangatahi near you! Add Your Event to the Calendar Find an event near you Choose a date Filter by Region Select Region Filter by Event Type Select Event Type Clear The Amazing Youth Volunteer Race Northland Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Impact Awards Canterbury Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More Youth Voices for Respect – Your Response Matters Auckland 22 May 2026 Learn More Youth Art Exhibition Canterbury Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Te Tangi o Te Pīpīwharauroa Waikato Youth Voice, Games & Kai, Health & Sport, Art, Music & Dance, Cultural 22 May 2026 Learn More The Park Link-Up Waikato Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More I.Lead Showcase Day Canterbury Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Create and Sip Wellington Art 21 May 2026 Learn More Rangatahi Sip & Paint Northland Other 20 May 2026 Learn More Ngā Tākaro Maia Canterbury Cultural 24 May 2026 Learn More Run 4 Life Northland Health & Sport 24 May 2026 Learn More Voices on Canvas Southland Art 19 May 2026 Learn More Rā Hākinakina Waikato Health & Sport 21 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Wellness Yoga Drop In Auckland Health & Sport 20 May 2026 Learn More Hot Takes and Hot Pools Canterbury Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More CollaborARTive Wellington Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Made by Us 2.0 Wellington Music & Dance 22 May 2026 Learn More Fresh Cuts: Youth Barber Pop-Up Auckland Youth Market 22 May 2026 Learn More Kāpiti Rangatahi 3x3 Hoops Fest Wellington Health & Sport 23 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Café Series Taranaki Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More Te Mana o Kupu Northland Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Talent Quest Bay of Plenty Youth Voice 18 May 2026 Learn More Podcasting and Pizza Waikato Youth Voice 19 May 2026 Learn More TASI Auckland Health & Sport 22 May 2026 Learn More Eid al-Adha Celebration Otago Other 23 May 2026 Learn More Hear Us Live! – Youth Open Mic & Creative Jam Night Waikato Music & Dance 23 May 2026 Learn More Mauri tu Mauri Ora Bay of Plenty Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More Our Voice matters, we deserve to be heard Waikato Cultural 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth led Forum and workshop and youth talent showcase & Arts night market Otago Educational 18 May 2026 Learn More Voices of the Valley Festival Bay of Plenty Film 21 May 2026 Learn More E-Day: Youth E-Waste Drive Auckland Other 23 May 2026 Learn More Taiohi Collective Northland Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More Play Your Way: Your Game, Your Rules Otago Health & Sport 19 May 2026 Learn More She Climbs Youth-Led Community Bouldering Day Auckland Health & Sport 23 May 2026 Learn More Free Community Sport with Cultural performance Auckland Cultural 22 May 2026 Learn More Ball 4 Hauora Bay of Plenty Health & Sport 20 May 2026 Learn More TYC Market & Busking Event *Tatinga Whakarongo* Waikato Youth Market 23 May 2026 Learn More Our Voices Matter! A Pop-up Community Art Space Southland Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Junction Slam Auckland Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Wairua day Wellington Other 23 May 2026 Learn More

Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. We are connected to 4,000 people who work with young people every day. Our sector is based on a positive youth development approach which focuses on nurturing young people’s strengths and abilities, fostering their healthy development, and promoting positive engagement with their communities. Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. We are connected to 4,000 people who work with young people every day. Our sector is based on a positive youth development approach which focuses on nurturing young people’s strengths and abilities, fostering their healthy development, and promoting positive engagement with their communities. Learn More about Youth Work in Aotearoa Get Involved Join the nationwide celebration of young people and festival of events across Aotearoa!

Organisational SROI Evaluations The following reports were created as part of a pilot phase of our mahi to better understand the impact of Youth Work delivered through community organisations and to establish a methodological foundation for a sector-wide social value project. Tararua Community Youth Services TCYS, a Dannevirke-based organisation focusing on the well-being of local taiohi, provided an example of youth work in a rural setting. The report assessed the value created for taiohi aged 15+ who engaged in TCYS in 2024/25. Flipbook Full Report Rānui 135 Rānui 135 is an Auckland-based organisation that provides holistic, culturally-grounded support for taiohi and the Rānui community. They provided an example of youth work in an urban setting. The report assessed the value created for taiohi who engaged with Rānui 135. Flipbook Full Report

< Back Voices on Canvas Art Y Southland Target Age: 12-24 Address: 77 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand When: 19 May 2026 3:30 pm tarryn.robbie@ymcasouth.org.nz youth focused paint and sip event focusing on how their voices matter Previous Next

< Back Junction Slam Youth Voice Shore Junction Target Age: 13-24 Address: 19 Northcote Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0620, New Zealand When: 20 May 2026 6:00 pm https://member.shorejunction.nz/public/event/69dc2aaa9bd6cef7fc8e4a4b/youth-week- info@shorejunction.nz Get ready to make some noise at Junction Slam, a poetry and spoken word event happening Wednesday, May 20, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We’re taking over the upstairs space at Shore Junction in Takapuna for a night dedicated to creative expression and real talk. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just have something on your mind, this is your stage to show the world that your voice matters. Designed by youth for youth, this event is all about keeping things safe, inclusive, and chill. If you’re not feeling the spotlight, you can still get involved by signing up for our anonymous reading option, where someone else will perform your work for you. We’re capping the crowd to keep the vibes right and providing free food to keep everyone fueled. If you're between 13 and 24, come through, grab a snack, and help us celebrate Youth Week 2026 by being heard. Previous Next

< Back Rā Hākinakina Health & Sport Wera Aotearoa Charitable Trust Target Age: 13-22 Address: 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa 3420, New Zealand When: 21 May 2026 10:00 am cheryl@wact.org.nz Collaborative community sports day with health checks component Previous Next

< Back Hear Us Live! – Youth Open Mic & Creative Jam Night Music & Dance Te Whare Toi O Ngaaruawaahia Inc Target Age: 12-24 Address: 18 Herschel Street, Ngāruawāhia 3720, New Zealand When: 23 May 2026 6:00 pm https://forms.office.com/r/GJtg4sKX8r Manager@ngaart.org.nz Hear Us Live! is a Youth Week open mic and creative jam night designed by and for rangatahi. It creates a vibrant, youth-led space for taiohi to share their voices through spoken word, music, rap, poetry, comedy, visual art, and collaborative jams. Free, accessible, and inclusive, the event removes barriers to performance and builds confidence, belonging, and connection among young people in Ngāruawāhia. The night supports wellbeing through creative expression, positive risk‑taking, and peer support, finishing with a collaborative jam circle that reinforces the Youth Week message: Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi – our voices matter, and we deserve to be heard. Previous Next

< Back Eid al-Adha Celebration Other University of Otago - Muslim University Students' Association Target Age: 12-24 Address: 84 Albany Street, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand When: 23 May 2026 6:30 pm otago.musaofficial@gmail.com The Eid al-Adha Celebration, hosted by the Muslim University Students’ Association (MUSA) at the University of Otago, commemorates the "Festival of Sacrifice," emphasising compassion, charity and community. This event brings together Muslim students away from home while opening its doors to the wider student body to foster intercultural understanding. We aim to achieve three goals: first, to provide a joyous environment that combats isolation and strengthens belonging for Muslim students; second, to use this as a platform for cultural exchange, breaking down stereotypes; third, to share food and stories, creating a warm atmosphere that enriches campus life. Rangatahi (young people) are at the heart of this event - the entirely student-led MUSA executive committee has identified the need for this celebration, initiated planning and will lead from conception to delivery, demonstrating Whai Wāhitinga. Previous Next

< Back Our Voices Matter! A Pop-up Community Art Space Art Number 10 Southland Youth One Stop Shop Target Age: 12-24 Address: 10 Deveron Street, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand When: 18 May 2026 9:00 am projectcoord@number10.org.nz Open 18th-24th May. Supplies available 9:00-4:30 daily. This is a Pop-up Community Art Installation on the front lawn of Number 10 Southland Youth One Stop Shop. Come in, get supplies from our reception desk and let your voice be heard! Or just come by and see what's been created. For rangatahi aged 10-24 with support person, whānau, or friends. Previous Next

< Back Mauri tu Mauri Ora Health & Sport Hauora Waka Uplift Target Age: 12-18 Address: Pilot Bay Beach, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand When: 18 May 2026 4:00 pm m.d.zandstra@gmail.com Waka ama for rangatahi down at Pilot bay, hoe aroha whanau O mauao club! Come have a go. Previous Next