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It Was INCREDIBLE! Empowering Young Leaders Day 2021

Photo credits: @shzee_photography

Zeal Taranaki are still buzzing after hosting almost 250 rangatahi for Empowering Young Leaders Day 2021. 5 young performers & leaders were employed for the day’s activities and we had 16 volunteers take part! We loved seeing rangatahi rising to the challenge and taking the lead on events for their community.



Photo credit: @shzee_photography

We couldn’t have picked a better time – Youth Week 2021 – to put on this event. There was a real buzz about the day at all the rest of our programming that week. The day consisted of motivational talks, games, dance, music and dance battles.

Tenaya was one of the main speakers, she spoke with such passion and confidence using such practical wisdom around tools for overcoming social anxiety. We can not be more proud of this incredible young woman, she spoke with such beautiful vulnerability of how “Three years ago [she] was too scared to even speak to anybody [she] didn’t know, yet now here [she is] as a main speaker talking to over 200 people – [she] reached out to Zeal and by stepping out and letting others encourage [her] and speak into [her] life [she] has grown in confidence by pushing [herself] out of [her] comfort zone intentionally each day – baby steps at first.”


Photo credit: @shzee_photography

We’re lucky to share Zeal Taranaki (Zeal at the Mayfair) with the wonderful and wise Wesley from Rainbow Youth Taranaki (happy birthday for last week Wes!), who was one of the speakers at the event. Wesley’s leadership in our local community is huge and we couldn’t be prouder to have him speak at this massive annual event.

Photo credit: @shzee_photography

“Thank you so so much for today – I cant put into words how much today meant for me to know that I am not the only one going through what I am going through” (Hawera High School Student) 
“We should do this every term” – (New Plymouth Boys High School student) 

“I love Zeal, you guys are honestly the most encouraging people I know.” (New Plymouth Boys High School student) 

Want to help?

Transformative experiences at Zeal are made possible by our experienced and talented youth workers, like Daniel, Lauren and Jari. Did you know you can support this mahi just by shopping online? Learn more about supporting Zeal through your online shopping at Rewardhub!

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