The Whakaraupō Moana programme is a five-day, immersive wānanga designed to grow the next generation of leaders who are connected to place, confident in themselves, and committed to a thriving future for people and planet. It is held at Living Springs.

In partnership with Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, the programme brings together rangatahi aged 16–25 from across Canterbury to explore the environmental, cultural, and social dimensions of sustainability in Whakaraupō (Lyttelton Harbour).

Through hands-on restoration work, kōrero with mana whenua, systems thinking, and leadership development, participants build the tools and confidence to become active kaitiaki and change-makers in their communities.

Scholarships are available (both part-funded and fully-funded).

• Who? Years 12 - 13s and tertiary students up to age 25.

• When?

  • Applications are now open and close on 19 August.

  • The 5-day programme takes place from 22 - 26 September.

• Where? Living Springs, Canterbury.

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GirlBoss are offering an exciting opportunity for two young women to join the very first Build-a-Boss internship, powered by Harvey Norman and mentored by GirlBoss NZ.

This is a two-year, paid internship based in Auckland, where you’ll:

• Join Harvey Norman's Computers, Mobile & Technology team

• Gain experience both in-store and at Head Office.

• Earn NZQA-recognised retail qualifications along the way.

They are on the lookout for bright, motivated young women aged 17–21 who are ready to dive into the world of tech, retail, and leadership.

• Who? Women aged 17 - 21 with an interest in technology.

• When? Applications are now open and close on 24 August.

• Where? Auckland.

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The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize is a $50,000 prize awarded to a Year 12 or Year 13 student who is undertaking or has recently completed a science, technology or engineering project related to the space sector and/or advanced aviation sector.  The student must be nominated for the Prize.

The prize is intended to support the applicant's tertiary application.

• Who? Years 12 & 13s.

• When?

  • Applications are open now and close 3 September.

• Where? Nationwide.

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The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize is a $50,000 prize awarded to a Year 12 or Year 13 student who has undertaken a science research, mathematics, technological or an engineering project and who is studying in a New Zealand registered school. The prize is intended to support the applicant's tertiary application.

• Who? Years 12 & 13s.

• When?

  • Applications are open 12 August and close 22 October.

• Where? Nationwide.

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Now in its 13th year, the annual Secondary School Art Awards recognises and celebrates emerging artistic talent in New Zealand.

Year 11, 12 & 13 secondary school art students are invited to submit one work of art.

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to send their work to be exhibited at The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead where the winners will be chosen by the Arts House Trust Curatorial Team and this year’s Guest Judge, Brett Graham.

Explore your artistic potential, challenge yourself, and take your passion for art to the next level.

Prizes:

• First Place: $1,000

• Second Place: $500

• Third Place: $350

• People’s Choice: $500

• Who? Years 11 - 13 emerging artists in New Zealand.

• When? Applications are now open and close on 17 August.

• Where? Nationwide.

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Girls on Ice Aotearoaare inviting students aged 15 or 16 to apply for their third expedition, a multi-day trip to Mt Ruapehu. The experience incorporates Earth science, art, and outdoor exploration. They are part of Inspiring Girls Expeditions and hosted by Te Puna Pātiotio (Antarctic Research Centre) at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University Wellington.

The expedition will inspire passion, participation and empowerment for girls in professions of science, art and wilderness exploration.

Students are selected through an application process.

• Who? Girls aged 15 or 16.

• When?

  • Applications are now open and close on 17 August.

  • The expedition takes place from 12 - 22 January.

• Where? Mt Ruapehu (students nationwide are invited to apply).

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OnScreen is a challenge for kiwi students to create an original short film, documentary or music video of up to 7 minutes.

OnScreen is free to enter and open to all intermediate and high school students across Aotearoa. Its goal is to facilitate students learning new skills, trying new things and taking on creative leadership. Students are encouraged to run their production like a real film set and learn how to be a Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Cameraperson, Audio Technician, Editor, Lighting Technician, Performer and Animator.

The total prize pool is over $12,000, with various categories and age divisions.

Registrations are open now, and filmmaking tools, workshops and mentoring is available for students as soon as they register.

• Who? Students Years 7 - 13.

• When? Registrations are now open and close on 3 September. The final deadline for films is 17 September.

• Where? Nationwide.

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Hyundai NZ created the Pinnacle Programme to identify young New Zealanders with potential, develop their skills and nurture them to be this country’s next generation of leaders. The programme supports youth passionate about art, science, business, sport, music, film, performing arts, the environment or politics by providing a mentoring experience unique to each person.

Among other things, the programme involves taking a 10-day voyage on board the Spirit of New Zealand, a 21-day course at Outward Bound, and attending Kai Waho, a four day unique Māori, cultural and wilderness experience.

As part of the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme family, successful students are connected to a broad network of alumni and mentors to help guide them to lead significant, positive change and excel on the world stage.

• Who? Aspiring leaders aged 15 - 18.

• When? Applications for the October 2025 intake are open now, and close in September.

• Where? NZ, nationwide.

  
  

More info here

Future Designers NZ is challenging you to design an app that you would like to use. It’s can be as serious or silly as you like but you need to explain what the app does and submit four screen mock-ups that illustrate its functionality or aesthetics. 

There are no rules of what materials or technology you can use. This is entirely up to your creative intent, and what resources you have access to. You can design your app on paper or using any software you like. 

There are cash prizes up for grabs for the winning entries.

• Who? High school students.

• When? Submissions are open now and close 19 September.

• Where? NZ, nationwide.

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Future Designers NZ is asking you to create your own comic book page.

You have to use their templates, but what goes in those panels is entirely up to you and your imagination!

You can take inspiration from any and everywhere! Your favourite animal, everyday life, song lyrics, a question, maybe even a catchphrase.

You can use any medium you want:

• Pens

• Pencils

• Markers

• Charcoal

• Watercolours

• Collage

• Digital

• Whatever inspires you to tell your own original story.

There are cash prizes up for grabs for the winning entries.

• Who? High school students.

• When? Submissions are open now and close 19 September.

• Where? NZ, nationwide.

More info

The NZPC is an annual contest, held in August or September, and open to all programmers in New Zealand (with a separate category for school students).

The competition takes place 6 different locations across New Zealand (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill). The dates and locations of the particular competitions can be found here.

The contest is for teams of up to 3 contestants who have 5 hours to solve problems on a single computer.

To solve a problem, a team must write a solution in one of the available languages (usually C#, C++, Java and Python) and submit it to the automatic judging system. If this solution gives the same output to all test cases as does the judge’s solution, then the problem is considered solved.

• Who? Programmers in High School.

• When? August & September - the particular dates/venues depend on the region - see here for further details.

• Where? As above.

  
  

  More info

Each year the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) invites senior secondary students residing in Australia or New Zealand to apply for the Liam and Frankie Davison Award for outstanding achievement in literary writing on Women’s Health.

This is a creative opportunity for a student who is interested in medicine, health science, politics, law, psychology, or sociology to submit a piece on any aspect of women’s health that interest them. Past entries include fictional stories, non-fiction essays or poems on topics ranging from disordered eating, gynaecological and reproductive issues to gendered violence.

All applications must include a completed application form and an original literary piece of not more than 1000 words on any topic of interest in women’s health (examples might include an opinion piece on a social issue, a short story or a report).

Up to two awards are offered each year; the winning entrant(s) will receive $1,000 in AUD or NZD as applicable, based on country of residence. 

• Who? Students Years 11 - 13.

• When? Applications are open now, and close 31 August.

• Where? NZ, Nationwide.

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The New Zealand Young Physicists’ Tournament is a researched-based Physics team competition open to all New Zealand students studying NCEA level 3 Physics. A schools may enter up to two teams of three students. Schools can also combine to form a team so long as one of the teacher from those schools supports them.

The Tournament is organised by the New Zealand Young Physicists’ Trust. Through the tournament, the Trust aims to:

• Encourage real world skills in critical thinking, problem solving, team work and genuine experimentation for Physics students

• Provide a fun physics competition between schools (“a bit like debating, but there’s a point to it”)

• Select and train a team to represent New Zealand at the International Young Physicists’ tournament.

• Who? Physics enthusiasts studying NCEA Level 3 Physics.

• When? The competition takes place in August.

• Where? NZ, nationwide.

  
  

Registrations of interest here

More info here

NZIBO fosters interest, participation, and excellence in biology through participation of secondary school students in the New Zealand Biology Olympiad Programme.

Participation in the NZIBO programme develops a greater understanding of biology and will assist students with their school examinations, NZQA scholarship examinations and university biology studies. It is recognised by universities in New Zealand and overseas as a sign of academic excellence.

• Who? High school students studying Biology.

• When?

  • Registrations are open now and close on 6 August.

  • The National Entrance Exam takes place 13 August.

• Where? NZ, nationwide.

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This competition seeks artwork for the album cover art of the annual Play It Strange competition digital albums.

Artwork should be in a square format, with space for logos and the album title. Past winners can be viewed here.

Submissions could feature as the cover art for our Years 9-11 Songwriting competition, Peace Song Competition, Years 9-13 Songwriting Competition or the Waiata Māori Songwriting Competition.

Submissions close 31 August.

More info