Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi (CAC), founded in 2019 by former Christchurch mayor Vicki Buck and Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, is redefining how young people engage with climate action in Aotearoa. This eight-hectare campus transforms climate anxiety into practical, hopeful action – empowering tamariki and rangatahi from more than 60 kura and over 35 community groups to design and experience real-world environmental solutions. A living classroom of innovation, CAC brings together education, ecology, and creativity on land that’s been regenerated for purpose.

Beyond teaching the science of climate change, CAC embodies a hands-on, solution-focused approach. Students’ learning is centred on the four pillars of a sustainable future: food sovereignty, transport, water and energy. Students become kaitiaki by learning the importance of biodiversity, planting native species, practicing circular waste systems, growing kai, water science and care and pest management through practical hands-on experiences. Supported by experts, educators, and community partners, CAC nurtures young people as environmental stewards and changemakers shaping a sustainable future for all. Through imagination, collaboration, and courage, this youth-powered movement is proving that collective action can transform both people and place.

Coastguard New Zealand is a nationwide network of more than 2,000 volunteers who are there when it counts. Operating across 60 units, these dedicated crews respond to over 3,000 incidents each year, ensuring that more than 8,000 people make it home safely. Regardless of weather or risk, their unwavering commitment reflects a culture of service, resilience, and unity.

Beyond rescues, Coastguard New Zealand is shaping how our nation connects with the water. Their work spans marine education, youth engagement, and disaster response, creating safer waterways for everyone. Through innovative initiatives like the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade Campaign, free boating education, and partnerships with Māori communities to co-design culturally grounded safety programmes, Coastguard continues to transform water safety awareness across generations – growing a lasting legacy of care and courage on the water.

parkrun New Zealand is transforming lives and communities through free, inclusive, and volunteer-led 5 km events held every Saturday across the motu. Since launching in 2012, it has grown to 67 events every Saturday morning with up to 15,000 weekly participants including walkers, runners, whānau, and volunteers of all ages and abilities. More than just a run, parkrun removes barriers to movement – there’s no entry fee, no competition, and no judgement: instead, an abundance of encouragement, connection, and belonging. Research shows participants experience significant improvements in both physical and mental wellbeing, with many reporting better health, new friendships, and renewed confidence.

Driven by volunteers and supported by councils, health partners, and the Tauawhitia Trust, parkrun continues to expand into communities with limited access to free fitness opportunities. Its ambition to reach 100 events in Aotearoa reflects a simple but powerful truth: when movement is accessible to everyone, entire communities become healthier, happier, and more connected.

Rei Kōtuku Charitable Trust – Children’s Palliative Care Service has become a lifeline for families across Aotearoa New Zealand, delivering free specialist paediatric palliative care and bereavement support to communities who would otherwise go without. Over the past year, the trust has expanded its team and reached further into rural regions, travelling to children and whānau wherever they are. They provide expert care on the ground, build capability alongside local clinicians, and remain available 24/7 for urgent advice via phone or telehealth. To strengthen care nationwide, they have also developed innovative educational tools launching in 2026.

This small but mighty team is reliant solely on donations being the country’s only charitable specialist paediatric palliative care service. Alongside clinical work, they advocate tirelessly for a national, publicly funded model, so every child can access this essential care. Their compassionate, culturally grounded, community-led approach is reshaping paediatric palliative care in Aotearoa. From end-of-life care to grief and bereavement support, Rei Kōtuku integrates specialist medical, emotional, and spiritual care to meet the real and complex needs of whānau. Despite financial uncertainty, their resilience and aroha continue to transform lives, ensuring no family faces their darkest moments alone.

The Safeguarding Children Initiative is a nationwide movement developed by charity Safeguarding Children, dedicated to preventing abuse and protecting tamariki and rangatahi. Since its inception, it has trained more than 85,000 advocates, including 16,000 in the past year alone, equipping people in homes, workplaces and community settings across Aotearoa New Zealand to recognise concerns early and respond to abuse. For example, in Te Tai Tokerau alone, 94 kaimahi received training and funding was secured for 300 free e-learning courses for frontline workers. Over 900 resources were downloaded, while confidence to identify and act on abuse rose from 58 per cent to over 90 per cent.

More than 70 organisations across health, education, sport, justice, faith and community sectors have embedded safeguarding into their culture, creating safer environments nationwide. Because this growing community is stepping up, tamariki and rangatahi are safer where they live, learn, play and receive care. Through innovative training, prevention-focused policy advocacy and collaboration with communities across the motu, the Initiative is growing one advocate, one organisation, one community at a time, proving that when collective responsibility meets compassion, we can prevent abuse and create change for tamariki and rangatahi.

Destination Kāwaroa is a visionary community project that has transformed New Plymouth’s Kāwaroa Park into one of the country’s most impressive destination playspaces. Spearheaded by the Taranaki Foundation – in partnership with mana whenua of Ngāmotu, Ngāti Te Whiti, NP Partners and the New Plymouth District Council – the $7.4M initiative was first dreamt up by Bryce Barnett in 2021 and was subsequently brought to life through the generosity of local funders, partners and over 350 donors and supporters making it happen.

Opening in 2024 and fully completed in 2025, the 22,000m² playground now stands as a world-class recreational space and a lasting legacy for future generations. More than a playspace, Destination Kāwaroa is a celebration of collaboration and community pride – a shining example of what can be achieved when Team Taranaki comes together for the greater good. Now for the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand to also enjoy.

For almost seventy years, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has stood as a place where people with intellectual disabilities and their families across Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay walk alongside one another in dignity, purpose, and belonging. Since 1956, Hōhepa has helped reshape what support can look like in Aotearoa, moving from institutional care toward a life-giving model rooted in relationship, community, and the belief that every person carries their own wairua, gifts, and potential. Hōhepa offers lifelong support, from tamariki to rangatahi discovering their strengths, through to adults building skills and meaningful work, and elders living with rhythm, comfort, and connection.

Today, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay is a vibrant hub of creativity and enterprise, where care, sustainability, and opportunity come together for good. Its biodynamic farms, cheesemaking, and social enterprises provide meaningful employment for nearly 200 people, while contributing to the region’s economy and environment. With more than 650 dedicated staff and volunteers, Hōhepa Hawkes Bay empowers people of all abilities to live with dignity, independence, and a deep sense of connection. Their motto is ‘every life fully lived’.

Since 2007, Red Frogs NZ has been a trusted presence in the grey areas of alcohol harm prevention, supporting young people aged 13–30. In 2024, they marked their biggest year yet – expanding to ten locations nationwide and mobilising over 350 volunteers who dedicated more than 10,000 hours to safeguard an estimated 744,000 individuals.

From Castle Street in Dunedin to New Year’s festivals in Queenstown and Wānaka, Red Frogs is there where young people need them most. Driven by care and compassion, their volunteers provide a safe haven amid chaos – offering water, support, and connection to those in vulnerable moments. Beyond immediate care, Red Frogs empowers rangatahi through educational programmes that promote safety, self-awareness, and wellbeing. Despite the challenges of operating on limited resources, their resilience and reach continues to grow – sustained by a deep belief in the power of community action.

Established in 2006, Mixit is a grassroots creative initiative that empowers and connects former refugee, migrant, and local youth through the arts. Its programmes use drama, movement, music and storytelling to support positive socialisation and build confidence, connections, and belonging – nurturing young people to become leaders and changemakers in our communities. Mixit’s core programme provides free year-long creative workshops every Saturday. It becomes a 2nd family and key network of support for many young people. Additionally there is a focus on scaffolded leadership development through a youth leadership programme and graduates move into the Alumni Team, who get regular professional development and opportunities to co-facilitate, take on staff roles and join the Board.

Mixit delivered the Mixit Aotearoa Outreach Project, taking their transformative model nationwide, particularly to resettlement regions. Co-facilitated by Mixit alumni, the project inspired new partnerships, facilitated creative workshops in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Invercargill, and Ashburton, and provided professional development for youth workers across the motu. Many former participants have gone on to lead Mixit programmes, have a voice in strategic development planning, or receive support through the Neville Kay Mixit Memorial Scholarship – a reflection of Mixit’s enduring kaupapa of creative courage, leadership, and empowerment through social connectivity.

Born in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Moana Vā – Navigators of Pacific Pride is a powerful movement of resilience and empowerment, uplifting Pacific Rainbow+ communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Their work goes beyond supporting individuals – it builds intergenerational spaces of storytelling, faith, and connection that reduce stigma and nurture acceptance within Pacific families learning to embrace gender and sexual diversity. Through initiatives like Moana Mālie and Moana Vibes, they provide holistic wellbeing support and ensure Pacific Rainbow+ voices are heard in national health and policy conversations.

Moana Vā’s impact is both personal and profound. Their digital storytelling campaigns increase visibility, educate communities, and spark open dialogue. They mentor emerging Pacific Rainbow+ leaders and advocate for systems that reflect lived realities. Guided by the motto “All flavours welcome,” Moana Vā stands as a vibrant example of cultural pride, compassion, and radical inclusivity – strengthening whānau, faith, and community across generations.