Nominate rangatahi for the Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards

Anyone can nominate a young person who has come through care or youth justice. The process is simple, but we encourage you to start completing your nomination now.

Find out how to make a nomination

At 18, Connor Bell had so much in front of him, and his journey to this point is nothing short of inspirational. With severe autism and ADHD, Connor’s mum admits he was a challenge. Despite all of this, Connor had a goal to be ‘normal’.

Last year Connor received the ‘Trade Star Award’ in the 2019 Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards. The selection panel connected him with Team Cabling, who offered him an electrician apprenticeship. Becoming a “sparky” was his career dream opportunity.

Connor says his work is awesome and he’s receiving all the help he needs with the apprenticeship study.

"It’s amazing how this award and scholarship has made such a difference to my future, having been on Seven Sharp and receiving so much encouragement from so many people, it has helped me to continue to work hard and strive to reach all my goals”.

The scholarship money helped Connor buy his own set of tools and his first pay meant he could shout his family a restaurant dinner.

“Who would have thought an award could offer so much?!” Connor says.

Read and watch Connor's story on Seven Sharp.

Last year we recognised and celebrated 22 young people.

One of the award recipients, Reyana Wilson says “a chance can mean everything”.

When someone looks at us and says I think you can be something, I think you can do something – that’s major, she says. That’s giving us something we don’t necessarily have already and that means the world.”  

Rangatahi have the chance to meet the Prime Minister as part of the awards ceremony. Last year, as part of the experience Jacinda Ardern also spent time getting to know the young people and answering any questions they had.

This is an excellent opportunity for community and organisations to champion incredible young people, their stories and their aspirations. The awards can springboard rangatahi and provide life-changing opportunities.

This year’s awards recognise those who are academic go-getters, creative or entrepreneurial, skills and technology focused (including the trades), community and service orientated, or interested in general leadership and personal growth.

The process is simple - you'll just need to complete and submit a nomination form.

If a certain young person comes to mind, talk with them and their whānau and begin the process.

Not only is it special for the young person, it’s an incredible experience for the social worker or support worker as they are also invited to be a part of the celebrations.

He Kōtuku Rerenga Tahi – A once in a lifetime occasion! Put forward your young person before the nomination window closes on 4 September.

For enquiries, please email PrimeMinistersAwards@ot.govt.nz