National Youth Volunteer Awards nominations open

Young volunteers are to be recognised and celebrated with new National Youth Volunteer Awards.

The awards are now open for nominations from young people aged 12 to 24 whose mahi aroha, service or volunteering is making a difference for people, communities and the environment across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Volunteering New Zealand Chief Executive Michelle Kitney says, “Young people are giving their time and skills to many causes. It’s time to recognise their efforts and celebrate the incredible work of younger volunteers who are the future of volunteering.”

Delivered by Volunteering New Zealand, with support from the Department of Internal Affairs, the awards celebrate the depth, diversity and collective impact of youth volunteering across Aotearoa New Zealand.

There are four categories: youth group of the year, kaitiakitanga award for environmental actions, future leader tuakana award, and unsung hero award. The categories recognise individual, group and collective effort across social impact, environmental care, youth-led action, mentoring, quiet service, innovation, governance and leadership.

“We know that our younger volunteers are our volunteers of the future. We wanted to recognise, celebrate and to be able to highlight their amazing contributions. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate that youth volunteering has distinctive patterns and motivations,” Michelle says.

 Nominations are open now until 30 August. Find out more and nominate

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