Introducing the AUT Promising Young Storyteller Award 2025

Nominate a Promising Young Storyteller here!

Day One Hāpai te Haeata is thrilled to announce a new partnership with AUT (Auckland University of Technology) to recognise and celebrate exceptional young storytellers in their final years of secondary school.
A New Award for Emerging Voices

The AUT Promising Young Storyteller Award targets young people aged 16-19 who demonstrate exceptional potential in screen storytelling. This includes Year 12 and 13 students (or equivalent), recent school leavers, and those in alternative education pathways. This award recognises that some of the most compelling creative voices emerge during these crucial transition years, when students are beginning to envision their future pathways and considering tertiary study options.

We're seeking nominations for students who show natural storytelling ability, creative vision, and genuine passion for screen media - whether through film, video, digital content, or other visual storytelling formats.

What We're Looking For
The ideal nominee will demonstrate:

• Storytelling Potential: Natural ability to craft engaging narratives and communicate ideas through visual media
• Creative Voice: A distinctive perspective or approach that sets their work apart
• Engagement with Screen Media: Active interest and involvement in film, video, or digital storytelling projects
• Future Aspirations: Clear interest in pursuing screen industry opportunities or related creative pathways
• Academic/Creative Achievement: Strong performance in relevant subjects or demonstrated creative accomplishments

This isn't just about technical skill or having the best equipment - we're looking for students with genuine storytelling instinct and the potential to develop into compelling creative voices.

Partnership with AUT
This award represents an exciting collaboration with AUT's Screen Department, building on Day One's existing relationship with the university through our successful internship program. AUT brings valuable expertise in screen education and industry connections, while Day One contributes our extensive experience in youth development and talent identification.
The partnership creates a meaningful bridge between secondary and tertiary education, helping identify students who might thrive in AUT's screen programs while supporting Day One's mission to amplify youth voices in New Zealand's screen culture.

Prize and Recognition
The winning student will receive:

• An iPad Pro (valued at $1999)
• A custom trophy
• Recognition at Day One's awards ceremony in November
• Information about screen career pathways and study options

More importantly, they'll join a network of young creatives supported by Day One's community and gain visibility within New Zealand's screen industry.

Who Can Nominate
We're calling on teachers, youth workers, and fellow students to identify promising storytellers in their communities. Media teachers, English teachers, drama teachers, and other educators are encouraged to nominate exceptional students, but we also welcome nominations from classmates, project partners, and youth workers who recognise storytelling potential in their peers.

The nomination process is designed to be straightforward and manageable, focusing on the nominee's character, potential, and demonstrated interest in storytelling rather than requiring extensive portfolios or technical work samples.

How This Fits Our Mission
By partnering with AUT, we're helping create clearer pathways between creative exploration in school and professional opportunities in the screen industry. We're particularly excited to connect with students outside Auckland through this initiative, as regional voices are essential to New Zealand's diverse storytelling landscape.

Getting Involved
Teachers and educators can nominate exceptional Year 12 and 13 students through our simple online form. We're looking for students who demonstrate storytelling potential and genuine interest in screen media, regardless of their current technical skill level or access to equipment.

The nomination deadline is September 28, 2025, with the winner announced at our November awards ceremony.

Looking Forward
This award represents the kind of collaboration we hope to see more of - partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for young people while building stronger connections between educational institutions and creative industries.

We're particularly grateful to AUT for recognising the value of investing in emerging talent at this crucial stage. Supporting students as they transition from secondary to tertiary education helps ensure that promising voices don't fall through the cracks and that our screen industry continues to benefit from fresh perspectives.

We look forward to discovering and celebrating the next generation of New Zealand storytellers.

Day One Hāpai te Haeata provides rangatahi with the skills, resources, and platform to develop their screen storytelling voices through accessible programs, mentorship, and a supportive community. Our mission is to create a New Zealand where youth voices are central to our screen culture.

Nominations closes 28th September. Fill out the Google Form here