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< Back He pī ka rere Art Generation Kāinga Charitable Trust Target Age: 16-21 Address: 249 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1010, New Zealand When: 22 May 2026 9:00 am rosa.hibbert-schooner@generationkainga.co.nz PRIVATE EVENT He pī ka rere - a kaupapa that brings a group of rangatahi together to create a collective art piece to showcase at a gallery night for their friends and whānau to enjoy. Friday 22nd May 9-3pm - Daytime: Day Workshop Hosted at Ūkaipō Gallery and creation (private kaupapa) 6pm - Showcase and exhibition open for two hours for public viewing and poetry readings (public) This kaupapa brings rangatahi together during Youth Week for a bold, creative activation grounded in voice, storytelling, and collective expression. Delivered in collaboration with a local youth organisation, the event invites rangatahi to reconnect with their experiences of kāinga and transform these into a collaborative art activism piece. This event, He pī ka rere centres rangatahi as creators and decision-makers, using art as a medium to explore housing realities, belonging, and aspirations for the future. Through painting, writing, and visual storytelling, participants will contribute to a shared artwork that reflects both individual journeys and collective narratives. This process creates a space for expression that is accessible, empowering, and grounded in kaupapa Māori values. The event aims to amplify the rangatahi voice, demonstrate the power of creative activism, and show how lived experience can inform and influence wider community conversations about kāinga. It positions rangatahi not only as storytellers, but as agents of change shaping their own futures. The completed artwork will culminate in a public showcase evening at Ūkaipō Gallery, where whānau, community members, and stakeholders are invited to engage with the work. This exhibition creates a platform for rangatahi voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated, extending the impact of the kaupapa beyond the event itself. 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 U15 Hokianga Storm Mini Tag Tournament Health & Sport Te Mahurehure Marae Cultural Society Target Age: 12-16 Address: When: 24 May 2026 9:00 am kirijames54@gmail.com PRIVATE EVENT The U15s Hokianga Storm Rugby League team will run a skills clinic and Mini Tag Tournament for our local kids. Previous Next

< Back The Park Link-Up Games & Kai Zeal Youth Trust Aotearoa Target Age: 12-18 Address: When: 20 May 2026 3:30 pm tessa@zeal.nz 20th May Melville Skatepark 21st May Rototuna Skatepark 22nd May Fairfield Skatepark Join a series of youth-led park activations across Kirikiriroa, bringing music, games, sport, kai and good vibes to local spaces. Drop in to play, connect, or just hang out with friends while youth workers and rangatahi create welcoming, community spaces where young people feel seen and connected. Previous Next

< Back Musical Bingo Games & Kai Raise Up - Y North Target Age: 13-18 Address: 45 Totara Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland 0600, New Zealand When: 19 May 2026 5:00 pm georgia.couch@ymcanorth.org.nz Dress up as your favourite musical act and come play bingo with us! Previous Next

< Back Youth Week Café Series Games & Kai Zeal Youth Trust Aotearoa Target Age: 12-18 Address: 69 Devon Street West, New Plymouth Central, Taranaki 4310, New Zealand When: 20 May 2026 3:30 pm jaqua@zeal.nz Step into a youth-led café experience each afternoon from 20-22 May, where taiohi will run the space, perform live DJ sets, serve food and drinks, and host games and competitions each day. Drop in for music, creative challenges, and a relaxed café vibe, while celebrating youth talent, connection and community. Previous Next

< Back Play Your Way: Your Game, Your Rules Health & Sport Inclusive Activity Murihiku Target Age: 12-23 Address: 77 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand When: 19 May 2026 4:30 pm admin@inclusiveactivity.org.nz A fun, inclusive sports event where rangatahi can get active their way—choosing how they play, adapting the rules, and trying new games in a safe, supportive environment. Play Your Way: Your Game, Your Rules is all about freedom, creativity, and making sport accessible for everyone. Previous Next

< Back Through the lens - a youth week showcase Film Day One - Hāpai te Haeata Target Age: 13-24 Address: 107 Randwick Crescent, Moera, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand When: 23 May 2026 4:00 pm juliana@dofilm.co.nz This year’s Youth Week theme is Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi (Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard!). Everyone deserves to be heard, though not everyone expresses themselves in the same way. Join us for a screening of short films created by rangatahi in collaboration with Day One and Youth Week. Youth Voices On Screen is a celebration of rangatahi filmmakers, presented by Day One in partnership with Ara Taiohi and libraries across Aotearoa during Youth Week (May 18–24). The programme showcases short films made by young people, sharing their stories in their own words and from their own perspectives. Previous Next

< Back Small Town, Big Ideas Other Youthtown Waikato Target Age: 13-15 Address: When: 18 May 2026 3:00 pm reilly.williams@youthtown.org.nz PRIVATE EVENT Small Town, Big Ideas is a Youth Week event designed to empower young women from rural communities in Ngaruawahia and Ōtorohanga to share their ideas, voices, and aspirations. Inspired by a “Shark Tank” style format, participants will work in small teams to develop and pitch creative ideas that could improve their communities, support young people, or create positive change. The event will provide a supportive and fun environment where young women can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and practice public speaking. With guidance from mentors and facilitators, participants will explore their passions, shape their ideas, and present them to a panel of local community leaders. The focus is not just on competition, but on encouragement, creativity, and celebrating the voices of young women. This event aligns with the theme of **Youth Week — Our voices matter! We deserve to be heard. By creating a platform specifically for rural young women, we aim to ensure their ideas and perspectives are valued and visible. Through this event we hope to inspire young women to see themselves as leaders and changemakers, strengthen connections within their communities, and encourage them to continue sharing their ideas long after the event ends. Previous Next

< Back Youth Week Open Day for South Invercargill Community Art Space Art Attic Arts Centre Charitable Trust Target Age: 12-24 Address: 241 Elles Road, Strathern, Invercargill 9812, New Zealand When: 22 May 2026 10:00 am southinvercommunityart@gmail.com During Youth Week 2026, local taiohi will shape the identity of a new community art space in South Invercargill Waihōpai. Open day: Friday 22 May 10am - 6pm Youth workshops: 10.30am - 12pm, and 4.30pm - 6pm. Bookings Required Previous Next

< Back The power of co-design for rangatahi and youth mental health Online Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Target Age: 12-24 Address: When: 18 May 2026 10:00 am https://www.mhwc.govt.nz/news-and-resources/power-of-co-design-for-rangatahi-and-youth-mental-health-webinar/ kiaora@mhwc.govt.nz Te Hiringa Mahara is kicking off Youth Week 2026 with a webinar focusing on the power of co-design for rangatahi and youth mental health. Register now!! The ‘Power of co-design for rangatahi and youth mental health’ webinar will present the key findings from our early intervention and secondary prevention effectiveness review. We will also bring rangatahi and young people together to talk about the importance of co-design, what does and does not work well, and examples of co-design in practice, with learnings for improvement. We know that when rangatahi and young people co-design mental health and addiction supports and services, they’re more likely to stay engaged and get the support they need – leading to a better outcome for rangatahi and young people experiencing mental distress. Through this webinar, we will bring to life Youth Week 2026’s theme ‘Our Voices Matter, We Deserve To Be Heard’ by providing real-life examples of how we can support co-design with rangatahi and young people. Previous Next

< Back Youth Talent Quest Youth Voice Rotorua Youth Council Target Age: 12-20 Address: 1170 Fenton Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand When: 18 May 2026 6:00 pm rlcyouthcouncil@rotorualc.nz As part of NZ Music Month, the Rotorua Youth Council proudly presents the Rotorua Talent Quest — a youth-led, community talent showcase celebrating the creativity, confidence, and voices of rangatahi across Rotorua. Planned by youth, for youth, this event provides an inclusive and supportive platform for young people to perform, express themselves, and connect with others who share their passions. Previous Next