E Tū Rangatahi - Stand Up Young Leaders
E Tū Rangatahi - Stand Up Young Leaders is an innovation event for rangatahi aged 15 to 24 to develop solutions to issues affecting communities across Te Hiku and the Far North.
Delivered through a partnership between Far North District Council and the Ministry of Education, this free event is open to all young people, including those who are home schooled or not currently in education.
Delivered through a partnership between Far North District Council and the Ministry of Education, this free event is open to all young people, including those who are home schooled or not currently in education.
2026 Event Highlights
The inaugural E Tū Rangatahi - Stand Up Young Leaders event brought together rangatahi from across Te Hiku to develop and pitch solutions to challenges affecting young people and their communities.
First Place - Te Kura Takiwā o Taipa - Taipa Area School
"Nothing about us, without us" was the winning message of the 2026 event. The team's pitch focused on a simple but powerful idea: decisions affecting young people should include young people. They highlighted the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for rangatahi to contribute to local decision-making and help shape the future of their communities.
Second Place - Kaitaia College interns from Te Hiku Hauora
Second place went to a team of Kaitaia College interns from Te Hiku Hauora for Pure Shift, an interactive app designed to support rangatahi on their journey to quit vaping through education, wellbeing tools, and access to support services.
Third Place - Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe
Third place was awarded to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe, whose pitch encouraged greater youth participation in voting, highlighting the role rangatahi can play in shaping the future of their communities.
Future Events
The 2026 E Tū Rangatahi - Stand Up Young Leaders event was the first collaboration of its kind between Far North District Council and the Ministry of Education. Building on the success of the pilot event, organisers hope E Tū Rangatahi will become an annual opportunity for young people to connect, lead, and help shape the future of the Far North.
Details for E Tū Rangatahi - Stand Up Young Leaders 2027 will be shared on this page when confirmed.
Contact
If you have any questions about E Tū Rangatahi, contact Casey Gannon, Manager of Civic Engagement and Education, at casey.gannon@fndc.govt.nz.