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Youth Week Aotearoa is a better place because of young people! Youth Week is a nationwide campaign, running from 18th - 24th May 2026, that celebrates this! It brings us all together to recognise the value, awesomeness, and impact of rangatahi, and to champion a society that supports young people to thrive. Celebrating Rangatahi Youth Week is all about celebrating everything that young people contribute to Aotearoa - just by being themselves. Too often, the amazing things young people bring to our communities go unnoticed - Youth Week aims to change that! Youth Week is for everyone. It’s about noticing and valuing the ways young people shape our hapori and world around us. Joining in the celebration means honouring the mana and energy they bring to the world. This year, our focus is all about making sure youth voices are heard. ‘Our Voices Matter, We Deserve to Be Heard’ is a chance for rangatahi to share themselves in the ways that feel right to them - through kōrero, creativity, culture, leadership, and everyday actions. We cannot wait to see how you all interpret the theme! YOUTH - LED EVENTS Check out all the events that took place in 2026! Read More YOUTH WEEK, YOUR WAY Are you a rangatahi looking for ideas of how to celebrate? View More STANDING WITH RANGATAHI Ideas for how to celebrate the young people in your life. View More Why celebrate? One in six kiwis are aged between 12-24 - they are our emerging workforce, creators, innovators and leaders 2026 Youth Week Image This year's amazing image has been designed by Sao May Nguyen, a young multidisciplinary designer and content creator from Vietnam, now based in Auckland. For this year's image, she drew inspiration from a blend of modern design and pop art to reflect how young people express themselves in today’s world: bold, creative, and full of energy! More details The Whakapapa of Youth Week Youth Week began in 1995 with a handful of events scattered throughout Canada. Since then it has gathered momentum and is now celebrated each year in countries all around the world. Aotearoa New Zealand first marked Youth Week in the late 1990s, with NZAAHD weaving the first festivals and later entrusting it’s celebrations to Ara Taiohi in 2010. More details Revolution : The 2026 Youth Week Waiata A group of emerging artists from Te Karanga Trust have written, performed and produced a powerful new waiata, Revolution , to mark Youth Week 2026. Listen, add it to your playlists, and play it at all your Youth Week events! Listen and Learn More

Our Team. Our team is a passionate group of individuals dedicated to empowering young people and driving meaningful change. Meet the people behind our mahi - each bringing their unique skills, insights, and energy to our mission. JANE ZINTL CEO About Jane DAYNA CARTER EVENTS About Dayna TYLER NGATAI PRACTICE LEAD About Tyler RENEE NGATAI KOROWAI TUPU ADMINISTRATOR About Renee AISLING CARNEY COMMUNICATIONS & ADVOCACY About Aisling LUHAMA TAU'ALUPE KAIMANAAKI About Luhama CIMONE GRAYSON KAIWHAKAHAERE OF NGĀ KAIHOE About Cimone SARTHAK RAHANGDALE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR About Sarthak CHRIS DAVIDSON ACCOUNTANT About Chris ALEX BLIGH INTERN About Alex LUCY SMITH INTERN About Lucy

Korowai Tupu Leadership Our Team Korowai Tupu is led by a team of youth workers, our Korowai Tupu Rōpū, who are all passionate about supporting young people’s wellbeing through the profession of Youth Work. Tyler Ngatai Practice Lead Renee Ngatai Administrator Korowai Tupu Rōpū Members The Rōpū steers the work of Korowai Tupu and acts in an advisory capacity to the Ara Taiohi Board. Isabel Lemanutau Co-Chair Mana Mokupuna Tayla Taylor Senior Consultant Leadership Lab, Kaiārahi – VOYCE Whakarongo Mai Raelene Hoogeven Co-Chair Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust Richard Bell Senior Advisor Youth Enterprises – Ministry of Youth Development Chloe Bisley-Wright Korowai Tupu Rōpū Member Enviroschools Te Whanganui-a-Tara-Community Facilitator

< Back Mana Taiohi Resources Resources that share how Mana Taiohi informs a way to work with young people in Aotearoa. Learn more about how you can whakamana young people with these great resources Download Resources Previous Next

Te Ao Taiohi With young people we explore Te Ao, understanding their holistic world and the dynamics that impact this. Te Ao Taiohi is impacted by big picture influences such as social and economic contexts and dominant cultural values. It includes Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the effects of colonisation in Aotearoa, local, national and international legislation and policy that impacts young people.  Awareness of Te Ao Taiohi ensures actions are not judged purely on the surface, but with an understanding of systemic influences that affect young people.  Young people are supported to engage with the dynamics in their changing world. Mana Taiohi with JJ and Arohauni To Ao: Afghanistan to Aotearoa: A Journey from Guild to Gratitude In this expert from Kaiparahuarahi (Vol.1, No.2), Bilal Nasier explores the concept of Te Ao. Read Kaiparahuarahi Kōrero Cafe: Bilal & Te Ao Te Ao and the Code of Ethics 10. Ngā Tikanga | Rights and Responsiblities 11. Ā-Ipurangi | Youth Work Online 12. Mana Taurite | Equity 13. Mata Huhua | Diversity Explore Mana Taiohi Click on the images below to explore each principle and see relevant resources.

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. 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 My Event Find an event near you Choose a date Filter by Region Select Region Filter by Event Type Select Event Type Clear Tshirt design Comp Marlborough Youth Voice 18 April 2026 Learn More Te Ara Tipu Open Week Gisborne Cultural 18 May 2026 Learn More SONSK8 Youth Week Jam Auckland Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More 2026 WHS Youth Week Games Bay of Plenty Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Teen Tech Time Auckland Educational 18 May 2026 Learn More Dungeons and Dragons with Questbook Auckland Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Check & Connect Youth Week Auckland Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week 2026 Wellington Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Our Voice matters, we deserve to be heard Waikato Cultural 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Talent Quest Bay of Plenty Youth Voice 18 May 2026 Learn More Games at the (Regent) Theatre West Coast Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More Voices on Canvas Southland Art 19 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Mini Games & Pizza Nelson-Tasman Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More Podcasting and Pizza Waikato Youth Voice 19 May 2026 Learn More The Multicultural Youth Bowl Waikato Youth Voice 19 May 2026 Learn More Craft and Yap: Badgemaking Wellington Art 20 May 2026 Learn More Te Mana o Kupu Northland Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Rangatahi Sip & Paint Northland Other 20 May 2026 Learn More Junction Slam Auckland Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Careers Expo Bay of Plenty Educational 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week at Kia Puāwai Youth Service Auckland Games & Kai, Health & Sport, Educational, Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Talk Podcast - Our Voices, Our Stories Online Online 20 May 2026 Learn More Rā Hākinakina Waikato Health & Sport 21 May 2026 Learn More OREO Taste Test Challenge Wellington Games & Kai 21 May 2026 Learn More Show up - A Rangatahi co-design event Auckland Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Zine Workshop Nelson-Tasman Art 21 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week 2026 Bay of Plenty Film, Games & Kai, Cultural, Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Voices of the Valley Festival Bay of Plenty Film 21 May 2026 Learn More Hawkes Bay Youth Expo Hawkes Bay Games & Kai, Health & Sport 21 May 2026 Learn More Youth Voice Expo Wellington Games & Kai, Youth Market, Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More Revolution (Live performance of official 2026 Youth Week Anthem) Auckland Film, Music & Dance, Youth Voice 22 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 Youth Movie Night Nelson-Tasman Film, Cultural 22 May 2026 Learn More OREO Taste Test Challenge Wellington Games & Kai 22 May 2026 Learn More Taiohi Collective - Solomon Group Northland Games & Kai 22 April 2026 Learn More NMIT Richmond Student BBQ Nelson-Tasman Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth led Forum and workshop and youth talent showcase & Arts night market Otago Educational 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Festival Waikato Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Spirit Week Auckland Other 18 May 2026 Learn More Rangatahi Hauora Week Auckland Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More Collab Zine Wellington Art 18 May 2026 Learn More CollaborARTive Wellington Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Mauri tu Mauri Ora Bay of Plenty Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet Movie Screening Wellington Film 18 May 2026 Learn More aMAZE-ing May Special Drop-in Session Wellington Games & Kai, Educational 19 May 2026 Learn More Chalk Your Truth Wellington Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More Play Your Way: Your Game, Your Rules Otago Health & Sport 19 May 2026 Learn More Musical Bingo Auckland Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More Gaga Ball Showdown Otago Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More Taringa Whakarongo: The Waitara Voice Festival Taranaki Music & Dance 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Careers Expo Bay of Plenty Educational 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Wellness Yoga Drop In Auckland Health & Sport 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week Café Series Taranaki Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More Hot Takes and Hot Pools Canterbury Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Bookmark Making Workshop Auckland Art 20 May 2026 Learn More Art Expo Wellington Art 20 May 2026 Learn More I.Lead Showcase Day Canterbury Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Craft and Yap: Badgemaking Wellington Art 21 May 2026 Learn More Slaying Sayings Wellington Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Battle of the Tribes Wellington Health & Sport 21 May 2026 Learn More South Waikato Youth Sports Day Waikato Health & Sport, Cultural, Games & Kai 21 May 2026 Learn More Musika Malie Auckland Music & Dance, Youth Voice, Cultural 21 May 2026 Learn More Dare to Take the Challenge Haere ki Waho -Youth Outdoor Safety & Opportunities Event Tasman Educational 22 May 2026 Learn More Made by Us 2.0 Wellington Music & Dance 22 May 2026 Learn More Te Ara Taiohi Northland Health & Sport 22 May 2026 Learn More Karaoke Disco Auckland Music & Dance 22 May 2026 Learn More French Toast Friday Taranaki Games & Kai, Art, Music & Dance, Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More YouthFest 2026! Bay of Plenty Music & Dance 17 May 2026 Learn More The Amazing Youth Volunteer Race Northland Games & Kai 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Art Exhibition Canterbury Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth Week - Rangatahi Filmmakers Wellington Film 18 May 2026 Learn More Our Voices Matter! A Pop-up Community Art Space Southland Art 18 May 2026 Learn More The power of co-design for rangatahi and youth mental health Online Online 18 May 2026 Learn More Zine Workshop Nelson-Tasman Art 18 May 2026 Learn More Female Self-Defence Canterbury Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More Small Town, Big Ideas Waikato Other 18 May 2026 Learn More Youth week 2026 Canterbury Health & Sport 18 May 2026 Learn More Collab Zine Wellington Art 19 May 2026 Learn More Vintage Gaming Wellington Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More One Week, One Voice Taranaki Health & Sport 19 May 2026 Learn More Arcade Mania Auckland Games & Kai 19 May 2026 Learn More Ball 4 Hauora Bay of Plenty Health & Sport 20 May 2026 Learn More Wellington Rainbow Youth Choir Open Rehearsal Wellington Music & Dance 20 May 2026 Learn More Youth Boxfit Canterbury Health & Sport 20 May 2026 Learn More Waffle Wednesday Taranaki Games & Kai, Music & Dance, Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More Whanau Music/Talent Night Wellington Music & Dance 20 May 2026 Learn More Taringa Whakarongo: The Waitara Voice Festival Taranaki Art, Music & Dance, Cultural, Youth Market, Youth Voice, Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More Young, Free & Pacific Auckland Auckland Educational, Cultural, Youth Voice 20 May 2026 Learn More The Park Link-Up Waikato Games & Kai 20 May 2026 Learn More Slaying Sayings Wellington Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Toastie Thursday Taranaki Games & Kai, Music & Dance, Art, Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Careers Fair & Buddy Waikato Educational 21 May 2026 Learn More Page Turners Teen Book Club Wellington Other 21 May 2026 Learn More Pakaru Pānui Youth Space Opening Hawkes Bay Youth Voice 21 May 2026 Learn More Create and Sip Wellington Art 21 May 2026 Learn More Youth Voices for Respect – Your Response Matters Auckland Educational 22 May 2026 Learn More TAIOHI COLLECTIVE YOUTH WEEK EVENT Northland Other 22 May 2026 Learn More TASI Auckland Health & Sport 22 May 2026 Learn More Taiohi Collective - VOYCE Northland Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More Jam Sesh Wellington Youth Voice 22 May 2026 Learn More

< Back Irka Omoboni-Soulat I am an experienced and reflective supervisor with back ground in social work, counselling, and trauma informed practice. I offer a supportive collaborative space where practitioners can think deeply about their work, strengthen their professional identity, and develop supervisee’s needs, encouraging curiosity, ethical awareness, and sustainable practices. I welcome professionals from diverse fields and aim to creat a space that is both containing and empowering. My Approach My supervision approach is relational, reflective, and grounded in trauma-informed practice. I create a safe, respectful space where supervisees can explore their work openly, think critically, and make sense of complex experiences. I value collaboration and curiosity, supporting practitioners to deepen their self-awareness, strengthen ethical decision-making, and build confidence in their professional role. My aim is to balance support and gentle challenge, helping supervisees grow in a way that is both sustainable and authentic to who they are. Qualifications Profesional Association Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly irka@xtra.co.nz Previous Next

< Back Kandas Gee My Approach Qualifications Profesional Association Connect with the Supervisor Directly kandas@kandasgeesupervisor.co.nz Previous Next

< Back Eli Fraser Kia ora koutou! Ko Eli ahau (he/him). I am a registered social worker based in beautiful Ngāmotu, Taranaki. I live here with my wife and our three year old, and in my spare time I enjoy writing music, gardening and anything else creative! I have spent most of my career working in mental health with individuals of all ages, in both clinical and non-clinical settings. I am currently working in the rainbow sector, and have previously held roles in clinical leadership, commissioning and service development, frontline mental health mahi, and youth mental health. I am available to work with people in Taranaki kanohi ki te kanohi, or nationally via online sessions. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to kōrero further. My Approach My approach to supervision centres on building a strong and trusting supervisory relationship. I work collaboratively to establish clear supervision goals, and use these to shape a supervision space that best suits you and the context of your mahi. I use a strengths-based approach to support individuals to grow in the areas they want to explore, with an emphasis on balancing mahi alongside the needs of the whole person. I provide supervision for both clinical and non-clinical settings and adapt my approach to reflect the relevant professional and organisational context. My passion areas include support emerging and young leaders, working alongside rainbow organisations and individuals, lived-experience mahi, and those engaged in work with rangatahi. Qualifications Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Support Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly eli.fraser@outlook.co.nz Previous Next

< Back Sally Beale My Approach Qualifications Profesional Association Connect with the Supervisor Directly sally.beale@protonmail.com Previous Next

< Back Megan Evans My Approach Qualifications Profesional Association Connect with the Supervisor Directly meganexternalsupervisor@gmail.com Previous Next

Youth Week Grants Before you jump in, please take a moment to read through the whole form so you’ve got everything you need. If you need any support at any stage, reach out on (04) 802 5000 or youthweek@arataiohi.org.nz . Dayna is always happy to kōrero and help with any pātai. A few key things to note Applications close Sunday 15 March, 5pm. You will be notified by April 12th on the outcome of your application. Grants are up to $1,000 + GST. Keep answers clear and concise to support our youth grants panel to assess your application. Make sure you read our Terms and Conditions. Each year, Youth Week grants are oversubscribed. This means we can’t fund every application and may not be able to fund the full amount you have asked for. Please take your time to understand how our panel of youth assessors will consider your application. Our youth panel brings their own lived experience and expertise to the final assessment. Make sure your application clearly shows us how your idea lines up with the following criteria: Youth-Led: clearly show how your event was led by young people, from ideation to delivery to evaluation. Connection to the 2026 theme: show how your event reflects or celebrates the theme: “Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi – Our voices matter! We deserve to be heard.” Equity lens: We want to distribute funds fairly across Aotearoa. Our youth assessors will consider accessibility, regional representation and how your event uplifts or provides space for taiohi who are often underserved or underrepresented.  You and your organisation do not have be a membership of Ara Taiohi, however members do receive a small additional weighting as part of our commitment to recognising and strengthening the youth development sector. Apply Here Terms & Conditions You must fulfil each of these to be a successful applicant. I understand that funding will only be provided to legally registered organisations, not individuals. If your organisation submits more than one application, the maximum total we can allocate to that organisation is $1,000 + GST. Please check internally if there are multiple applications, as this may affect the outcome. Applications from a branch of a national organisations that has multiple branches will be treated as an individual organisation (for example the Wellington branch and the Christchurch branch of a national organisation can each apply for $1,000 +GST). I understand that grants are up to $1,000 + GST, i.e. if you are GST registered and request $1,000, your invoice will be $1,000 + GST, totalling $1,150. My event must be held during Youth Week 2026: 18-24 May, 2026. My event will be alcohol, smoke and drug-free. If my event is a public event, I will post it on the Ara Taiohi website on the Youth Week events schedule. I will share/tag my event with Ara Taiohi on Facebook and Instagram unless my event is a completely private event. I will include the Youth Week logo or theme image on promotional material. A payment and agreement form must be completed with details of who will receive the funds for my event. This must be provided alongside your invoice for payment. I will complete an evaluation form outlining how the Youth Week event went. This must be completed and returned to Ara Taiohi by 15 June 2026. I will distribute a participant survey to young people engaged in my event (Ara Taiohi will supply a link closer to the time).  I will distribute an engagement survey to young people directly involved in planning, decision-making, and/or delivering the funded event (Ara Taiohi will supply a link closer to the time). Privacy Statement We collect your information for the purpose of assessing your Youth Week application and contacting you about the grant. We will share organisation name and contact email and event details with our funders, for the purposes of supporting announcements and visits during Youth Week 2026. If anything sits outside of this, we will request permission before doing so.