Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to the nomination portal for the Ahuriri Rangatahi Civic Awards 2026. This is your opportunity to shine a light on the rangatahi in our community of Ahuriri, Napier who lead with humility, resilience, and a deep commitment to our culture. Please provide as much detail as possible in your submission; your thoroughness ensures that the quiet, impactful leadership of our young people is fully recognized and celebrated.
Unlike traditional awards that focus on academic or sporting feats, this kaupapa honors character and the "invisible" leadership found within our local microsystems. We celebrate those who stay grounded in Māori values while navigating the modern world. By nominating a leader today, you are helping us build a collective cohort focused on intergenerational connection and cultural pride.
The Ahuriri Rangatahi Civic Award Categories
Which Award Fits Your Nominee?
Please read the award names and descriptions below to find the best match for the Rangatahi you are celebrating.
1. Te Aumangea (Resilience)
The Prompt:"Think of a young person who has faced significant life hurdles or tough circumstances. How did they show grit, stay positive, and keep moving forward when things got hard?"
Best for: Those who lead by example through their perseverance and strength of character.
2. Manaakitanga Mai (Service)
The Prompt:"Who is the first person to roll up their sleeves and help? Think of the 'industrious hands' who work behind the scenes to care for their whānau, peers, or local community."
Best for: Those who show leadership through selfless acts of kindness and consistent support of others.
3. Kāhui Kaumātua (Whakapono & Aroha)
The Prompt:"Who shows exceptional heart for our elders? Think of the person who is dedicated to serving, protecting, and learning from our Kaumātua."
Eligibility Note: This category is specifically for those with Whakapapa to Te Whanganui ā Orotū.
Best for: Those who bridge the generational gap through service and cultural devotion.
4. Te Manu Taiko (Unity & Collective Leadership)
The Prompt:"Who is the glue that holds the group together? Think of the person who brings people together, mediates conflict, and ensures everyone is moving toward the same goal."
Best for: Collaborative leaders, unifiers, and those who prioritize the "we" over the "me."
5. Te Reo Kia Rere (Mana Reo)
The Prompt:"Who is a champion for our language? Think of someone who uses, promotes, and normalizes Te Reo Māori in their daily life, work, or social media spaces."
Best for: Language advocates and those dedicated to ensuring the "first language" of Ahuriri thrives everywhere.
Pro Tip for Nominators:
The "Invisible" Factor: Don't worry if your nominee doesn't have a formal title or "big" achievements. We are looking for the heart, the effort, and the impact they have on the people around them. Give us a story that shows their character!
1. Eligibility Criteria
Age: Nominees must be between the ages of 16 and 24 years at the time of the awards ceremony (June 26, 2026).
Connection to Ahuriri: Nominees must reside, work, study in the Ahuriri/Napier region.
Specific Category Requirements:
Categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 are open to all Rangatahi within the age bracket.
The Kāhui Kaumātua award is restricted to those with Whakapapa to Te Whanganui ā Orotū.
2. Nomination Process
Submission: All nominations must be submitted via the official online portal or physical entry form by the specified closing date May 30th, 2026.
Completeness: Submissions must be filled out in full. Nominator contact details must be provided for verification purposes.
Evidence: We encourage nominators to provide specific examples of the nominee's character, service, or resilience. Quality of information is prioritised over the quantity of nominations received for a single person.
3. Selection & Judging
The Cohort Model: These awards focus on recognizing a collective of leaders. The selection panel will look for "invisible" leadership - those who contribute to their community and whānau without seeking the spotlight.
Panel Decisions: The judging panel will consist of representatives from Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū, rangatahi from the Napier Youth Council, memebrs of the Ahuriri Kauhui Kaumatua and community partners. All decisions made by the panel are final.
Nominee Status: In alignment with our values, all finalists are recognized as Nominees of excellence rather than "winners" to emphasize collective achievement.
4. Attendance & Media
Event Attendance: Nominees are expected to attend the Ahuriri Rangatahi Civic Awards on the evening of Friday, 24th June 2026.
Promotion: By submitting a nomination, the nominator and nominee consent to the use of their names, brief biographies, and event photography/videography for promotional purposes related to the awards and future youth leadership initiatives.
Closing Date for Nominations:
Saturday, May 30th - 2026. Late entries will not be considered for the 2026 cohort.