Celebrating Youth Leadership and Creativity with Impact

On the 22nd of May, the Caroline Bay Hall will host a significant celebration of South Canterbury’s younger generation as the Youth Impact Awards and Impact Art Awards join forces for a night of recognition and inspiration.
 
This collaborative event, hosted by The Y Central South Island, Refugee Settlement Services, the Tongan Society South Canterbury, and the Timaru District Council, and Multicultural Aoraki, offers a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on rangatahi aged 12 to 24 who give back to their community and inspire those around them. Proudly sponsored by the dedicated team at Mid-South Island Women’s Refuge and Family Safety Services, the evening marks a cornerstone of Wiki Taiohi (Youth Week) 2026, shifting the focus away from traditional academic or sporting achievements to celebrate heart, generosity, and quiet leadership. 
 
The awards will be presented by Hon. James Meager, Minister for Youth and MP for Rangitata at the gala evening being held at the Caroline Bay Hall at which the nominees and supporters will be present along with representatives from the host collaborators.
 
The community’s response to this year’s call for nominations has been overwhelming, with 71 young people put forward for their contributions to the district. These awards recognise those who make a meaningful difference—often humbly and without seeking the limelight—through volunteering, kindness, and a commitment to making our community a better place. By highlighting these stories of positive contribution, the event seeks to strengthen community pride, foster a sense of belonging, and build the mana of our youth, reinforcing the message that every act of service and leadership is deeply valued.
 
Integral to the evening’s festivities is the presentation of the Art Impact Awards – sponsored by Idea Services/IHC NZ – a long-standing tradition hosted by The Y. Formerly known as the VOICE Art Awards, this initiative has been a platform for young creatives for many years, inviting artists aged 12 to 24 to express themselves across a diverse range of mediums. The theme for this year’s art awards is based on the Youth Week theme: “Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard – Taringa whakarongo, ki te reo o ngā taiohi.”
 
Entries will span several categories, including Painting and Mixed Media, Drawing and Printmaking, 3D Works such as Sculpture and Installation, Digital Media encompassing Photography and Design, and Creative Writing including Poetry and Rhyme. A particularly significant category is the Emerging Disability Artist Award, which ensures that the creative voices of all young people are heard and celebrated. 
 
Leading up to the main event, the public will have the opportunity to view these artworks at the Y Youth and Community Hub, 7-9 Sophia Street from the 11th to the 21st of May. The collection will then be moved to Caroline Bay Hall for the awards night, where the art exhibition will be available to view alongside the ceremony. To complete the celebration of talent, the evening will be punctuated by performances from local youth and cultural groups. Together, the Youth and Art Impact Awards represent a total celebration of all young people in our community—a whakanui of our future—connecting families, schools, and organisations in a shared moment of pride for the future of South Canterbury.