Date: Friday 8th August 2025
We want to celebrate and motivate our potential young leaders of Aotearoa. It is our hope that by providing inspirational events like the LEAD conference we will tap into this incredible potential. Empowering youth to take LEAD.
🌟 Taranaki Youth Conference 2025: LEVEL UP!
Calling all young leaders, future changemakers, and creative thinkers!
Taranaki Youth Conference is back for 2025 — and this year’s theme is bold, brave, and built for YOU: LEVEL UP!
This high-energy, one-day event is designed to ignite inspiration, boost confidence, and empower ākonga in Years 6 to 9 to step into leadership and be the difference in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Incredible Keynote Speaker: Allenzo Tamatoa – Cultural connector, youth mentor, and a powerhouse of purpose who will fire up the day!
Dynamic Workshops + Panels – From creative expression to climate action, wellbeing to innovation – there’s something for every passion.
Epic Performances + Surprises – A day filled with energy, connection, fun and a few curveballs along the way.
Inspiration Around Every Corner – Hear from local legends and inspiring youth voices already out there making moves.
We know not every school can send all their young leaders so once again, we’re bringing the conference to you, too. Schools can tune in virtually and join the action live from the comfort of their own classroom spaces.
Whether you’re onsite or online expect a full day of fun, connection, and next-level inspiration.
Mark the date, rally your crew, and get ready to LEVEL UP with us this August.
#TaranakiYouthConf #LevelUp2025
Each learner will receive a Reflection Journal to capture the day and take back to school so they can action their leadership goals as future changemakers!
View our 2024 journal HERE
A HUGE thank you to our CANVA Queen Katrina Fraser from Green School NZ for designing our journals.
A huge thank you to Craig and the team at Ricoh Taranaki for being one of our major sponsors and printing the journals and certificates for us.
2025 COMPETITION DETAILS!
CALLING ALL CREATIVES!
Design the Cover for This Year’s Taranaki LEAD Youth Conference Booklet!
Are you a student in Taranaki with a passion for design, art, or creativity? This is your chance to Level UP!
We’re on the lookout for an epic student-designed cover for the 2025 LEAD Youth Conference booklet, themed:
🌟 LEVEL UP! 🌟
Whether that means stepping into leadership, growing confidence, facing challenges, or igniting change we want to see what “Level UP!” means to YOU.
🖌️ The winning design will:
✨ Feature on the official 2025 LEAD Youth Conference booklet
✨ Be shared across schools and youth spaces around Taranaki
🎁 Score an awesome prize pack from our generous sponsors!
📅 Entries close 21st July 2025 – so get designing!
Submit your entries to: leadyouthconference@gmail.com
Include your full name, school, year level, and a short description of your design.
Let's see your creativity, your vision, and your voice it's time to LEVEL UP!
#TaranakiLEAD #LevelUp #YouthVoice #CreativeChallenge
What ākonga are saying:
“You get to know yourself better. I was inspired by the speakers and want to work on some of my personal goals" Year 8 student - Highlands Intermediate
“I enjoyed learning about the different leadership styles and how to identify which style I was” Year 7 student - Green School NZ.
“ I learned that it’s important to keep fighting for your dream - don't let obstacles or setbacks stop you” Year 8 student - Omata
“I really enjoyed the day even though it was online this year. What I took from LEAD was that one of the best choices you can make as a leader is to ask for help” Year 7 student - Urenui School
What kaiako are saying:
“I love the positivity and relatability. It's exactly what my students needed” Teacher Coastal
“We usually send some of our learners every year, as the programme is a great balance of inspiration, motivation and excitement and is perfectly balanced for the age group it targets. Our students come away with greater belief in themselves and buzzing with ideas to share with the school. It is the highlight of our annual leadership programme.” - Teacher Highlands Intermediate
“There was a great array of speakers so students had a wide variety and could there was something for everyone's taste - Teacher - Urenui Primary
“The 'quick bites' - they were short and to the point, often with a great message” Teacher - Waitoriki
“Robbie Baker (Attitude), I enjoyed his honesty and engagement with our students” - Teacher - Inglewood Primary
