2018 Youth Awards for Far North groups Shine on Kaitaia and Urutapu

The Shine on Kaitaia crew in Wellington on Thursday night to pick up its 2018 Youth Award, in the Working for Youth category, with Minister for Youth Peeni Henare.

Two Far North groups have been recognised for their outstanding work in the community at the 2018 Youth Awards.

Eleven representatives of Shine on Kaitaia were among those described by Minister for Youth Peeni Henare as "inspirational rangatahi" at a function at Parliament last week.

They were there to receive a 2018 Youth Award, in the Working for Youth category, the citation noting that the organisation had overcome rural barriers to built community spirit through youth-run events including a Children's Day, Far North's Got Talent and Christmas in the Park.

"It's my privilege to celebrate these inspirational rangatahi, who are leading initiatives and supporting their communities in areas such as the arts, culture, education, business and the environment," Henare said.

A Working for Youth award also went to Urutapu, a group of young wāhine who organised community-building events for young people within their hapori, hapū or whānau, including The Otiria Great Race (to help rangatahi connect with their whakapapa) and Drive It (to reduce young Māori fatalities within Te Tai Tokerau).

The Far North's Urutapu, a group of young wāhine who organised community-building events for young people, won a Working for Youth award at the 2018 Youth Awards.

Supreme awards were presented to Injy Johnstone (Wellington, senior), an environmental, foster children and disability advocate, and New Zealand representative on two United Nations groups, and Ranisha Chand (Auckland, junior), a Shakti Youth ambassador and campaigner who was striving to break intergenerational cycles of family violence in migrant and refugee families.

Henare said the award winners would inspire and encourage other young people to get involved and make a difference. He also recognised all who had been nominated.

"It's demonstrated to me that Aotearoa New Zealand is in good hands for the future," he said.

"Our country is full of committed, creative, talented young people who are leading change and developing innovative solutions."

Johnstone said it was hugely important to acknowledge the mahi that Aotearoa's youth put into the present and future of their nation.

"The New Zealand Youth Awards recognise the hours, commitment and perseverance that go into affecting positive change. For me personally, this award recognises the strength of diversity and inclusivity in leadership, particularly for youth with access needs and who come from disadvantaged backgrounds," she said.

Chand said her award assured her that she was making a positive change in the community through her passion for feminism and social justice for migrant women and young people.

"I believe that when I speak it's not just me talking, but I am representative of other young people who are yet to gain the confidence to voice their opinions," she said.