Kia ora koutou YANZ whānau!

How is it already October? The past few months have flown by! Since our last update, we have welcomed two new team members onboard, started an #exclusive YANZ Instagram club, released our Annual Impact Report, and discovered more creative opportunities for all of you.

Scroll on for more details! 👀

In August, we welcomed two new team members onboard: Siobhan Awatere as Event Pathways Programme Co-Producer and Hope Milo as Communications & Outreach Coordinator ✨

Siobhan Awatere (she/her)

Ka whakatōngia he kākano e te hiku ki roto i te taepu o te manawa, ka puāwai ko tēnei tipu e rarau nei. Me taku maringa nui ✨

Kia ora rā,

Kura kaupapa kid, graduated high school abroad and came home again for tertiary studies. Am a haki of many trades, master of absolutely none who loves kaupapa that focus on rangatahi, whakamana tāngata, hikinga wairua etc. Passions and hobbies include but are not limited to: anything music (especially live 😍); Kapa Haka (so thankful to be predominantly Māori 🤎); arts & crafts of all kinds; spending time with Tangaroa and Tamanuiterā; digital architecture; reading (or learning rather); eating (lots and lots 😂); and hanging out/talking with my baby sister (she's 2, how could I not?) 😊

Currently helping Chloe with Events Pathways Programme (EPP 2024) and am super excited to see the fruits of our labour this year! YANZ is amazing and I hope you get to learn that for yourself one day soon too 🙌🏽

Mauri ora e te iwi,

Siobhan ✌🏽

Kia ora YANZ fam!

My name is Hope and I’m a young Filipina-Kiwi singer-songwriter, theatre enthusiast and casual poet, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communication (Social Change) at UoA. I was born in Singapore and my family immigrated to Tāmaki Makaurau when I was eight years old.

As YANZ's Communications and Outreach Coordinator, I dabble in everything from social media and comms, to community management, to digital marketing. I am super grateful for this full-circle opportunity to give back to the local arts community, who gave me the support and opportunities that have led me where I am today!

⭐ JOIN OUR CLOSE FRIENDS STORY ⭐

Or, how I (Hope) like to call it, our YANZstagram Fam!

Do you want unfiltered, unhinged behind-the-scenes content of what goes on in the YANZ office (aka Yoffice)? Want sneak peeks of kaupapa, upcoming events and other cool stuff we’re working on? Want Q&As, more #exclusive opportunities, connections, and ways to get involved?

DM us on Instagram with your answer to the following question to join our Close Friends story!

If there was a movie about your life, what would the title be?
No boring answers like “The Life of Jane Doe” allowed!

Our 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report is now LIVE! 🎉

It’s been an absolutely huge year, with over 1000+ rangatahi empowered across 200+ activations, notable events like the Event Pathways Programme, Creativision Career Fair, FIFA Women’s World Cup Fan Zone, and Te Kāhui Taiohi Inside anthology launch.

A special thank you to our supporters, funders, patrons and whānau that have nurtured our creative spirits and allowed us to grow and deepen our impact.

Click the link below to read through what we’ve been up to 📚🎸✏️🪁

Designed by the incredible @soupbyalyssa on Instagram!

HIGHLIGHTING OUR ALUMNI ✨

Applications for our 2024 Events Pathways Programme (EPP) closed over the weekend, and our team has since been combing through the highest volume of applications we’ve ever received!

In the meantime, read about what some of our past Events Pathways Programme alumni have been up to below.

”Kia Orana! My name is Astarlii Taokia and I was lucky enough to be a part of the Events Pathways Programme in 2023. I currently have two jobs both in the creative industry. I am a student content designer with AUT where I am lucky enough to attend a variety events and know exactly how an event works and see different setups!

“I also work as an usher at the Māngere Arts Centre for when they host a variety of plays, events and concerts. As an usher we ensure the audience and cast are having a good time and are respectful to one another.

“The Events Pathways Programme definitely helped with gaining experience while also giving me confidence and admiration for the people who work so hard in this space! Meitaki Atupaka and good luck to those who apply, you are gonna have a great time!

“Kia ora my name is Mia and I am now a Kiwi living in Sydney. In 2022 I was so graciously offered a place to work and learn with Youth Arts New Zealand in their Events Pathways Programme. This programme really highlighted to me how important it is to understand the effort it takes to put on art in any matter. From the smallest things like risk assessments to bigger skills like how to manage a team of people, I really felt as though I learned valuable lessons. Most recently I have been able to put a lot of these skills into play as a production team member for a show in the Sydney Fringe Festival. My passion personally lies in the more creative endeavours of event management such as media design and advertising; I have been so fortunate to take my skills and use them for anything and everything I can get myself into.

“Currently I am studying a diploma of musical theatre but hope to continue my training next year. I endeavour to support more shows in production teams as I have been and hopefully, one day, have a more permanent position in the arts industry here in Australia and New Zealand. I particularly want to thank Danielle Hao-Aickin and Gavin Downie for their leadership and guidance. Ngā mihi nui to all of my Youth Arts leaders, taking the world by storm one event at a time.”

”Talofa! My name is Maina Jade and I am a Customer Service Rep at OneMusic NZ (check out our Instagram to learn about what we do).

“Prior to landing this job I worked at Ticketmaster NZ, volunteered at 95bFM, participated in the Events Pathway Programme (EPP) and was a mentee of the Women in Events programme.

“Participating in the Event Pathways Programme was a great stepping stone for my career within the Arts Industry.

“It’s so important to put yourself out there. Say “yes“ to opportunities that come your way, send that application and show up for yourself!

“I am surrounded by art everyday; with a great team by my side and it’s the best feeling ever.”

LIVE EVENTS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 🎧💿💡

Read below for more info from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited:

Namaste,

We are excited to announce that the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2024 will take place on Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 October 2024 at Aotea Square & Queen Street, and we need your help to make this event a success!

We now have a number of volunteer roles available on the TAU Rosterfy portal, including:

• Festival Ambassadors

• Activation Ambassadors

• Information / Lost Persons Assistant

• Eco-Warriors

• Stage Assistants

And more!

A full description of each volunteer role will be made available within the Rosterfy event page.

Successful applicants will be notified of volunteer briefing at a later date.

Here’s what you need to know about the volunteer programme:

• The festival will be held on Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 October 2024, with volunteer shifts available throughout the day and evening.

• The shift allocations ranges between opening and closing time of 11am - 9pm.

• All volunteers will be provided with meal voucher, water, snacks and a designated chillout area to use while on breaks, as well as a BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival volunteer T-shirt.

• Volunteering age limit of +16 y/o

• An MOJ check will be will required to register for volunteering at the event - FREE Ministry of Justice Check Link

FULLY FUNDED OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP FOR MĀORI OR PASIFIKA STUDENT 🎓

Read below for more info from United World College Aotearoa NZ:

Aotearoa will have a 'Dare to Dream' scholarship for 2025 entry to UWC Red Cross Nordic in Flekke, Norway (near Bergen), and the school has expressed a strong preference for an Indigenous student.

We will also have scholarships and places available to students of any ethnicity and income level - we'll know which UWCs in November. All applications are due at the end of the school holidays!

APPLY FOR GIRLS ROCK AOTEAROA!

Read below for more info from Girls Rock Aotearoa:

Girls Rock Aotearoa has been helping young women, trans, takatāpui, intersex, and gender diverse youth form bands, build instrumental skills, and write original songs since 2018. We’re proud to announce that our To the Front Tāmaki Makaurau programme is back for 2025!

Held Monday 13 to Saturday 17 January 2025, To The Front is open to youth aged 12-17 years who are women, intersex, trans, takatāpui and gender diverse. They’ll learn instruments, form bands, write original songs, and perform at a showcase, all guided by professional musicians in a women-led environment. Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops about DIY merchandise, songwriting and performance skills. Each day they’ll enjoy lunchtime performances from local artists.

Once again the programme will be hosted by our key sponsor, SAE Creative Media Institute Auckland, allowing us access to their state of the art recording studios and equipment. 2025 also sees the continuation of the successful electronic stream, where campers have the opportunity to get hands on with digital music production.

About Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ)

Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ) is Aotearoa’s leading youth-led organisation with a vision for every young person across the motu to know the worth of their creative identity. Since YANZ’s founding in 2018, our team of creative rangatahi have run 400+ impactful events and projects, provided creative experiences for over 1,500 rangatahi across Aotearoa, and distributed over $890,000 in employment opportunities and artist fees to young people through our initiatives.