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Six Instep Young Leaders were part of the action at YouthFest 2026, joining rangatahi from across the community to celebrate youth voice, creativity and connection.
Held on Sunday 17 May, YouthFest marked the beginning of Youth Week 2026 and embraced this year’s theme: Our Voices Matter – We Deserve to Be Heard | Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi!
Designed by young people, for the community, YouthFest created a vibrant and inclusive space for rangatahi to express themselves, share ideas and be heard. The day featured live performances, creative showcases, interactive activities, youth-led stalls and community connections, including Whai Basketball.
For the Instep Young Leaders, the event was an opportunity to step into a hands-on role, connect with other young people and help tell the story of the day through a youth lens.
Year 13 Papamoa College student and Instep Young Leader Emily Mardon said the group had a great time being part of the event.
“I had a great time at YouthFest,” Emily said. “We went around to different people and interviewed them about what they were doing at the different stalls, and we also interviewed the artists after their performances.”
Emily said the day gave the Young Leaders a chance to meet a wide range of people, learn more about the different activities and creative work on display, and help capture the energy of the festival.
Sophia Neale Reid – Yr13 Otumoetai College (right first picture)
Molly Lobb – Yr13 Tauranga Girls’ College (middle second picture)
The involvement of the Instep Young Leaders reflected the wider purpose of YouthFest: creating space for young people to participate, contribute and lead. By speaking with stallholders, performers and other participants, the Young Leaders helped highlight the range of talent, ideas and perspectives young people bring to the community.
YouthFest 2026 was a reminder that youth voice is not something to be talked about from a distance. It is something to be actively heard, supported and celebrated.
For Instep, the event provided another opportunity to support rangatahi leadership in action and to help young people build confidence, connections and real-world experience. When young people are given the platform to lead, ask questions, share stories and take up space, everyone benefits.
