1. Check the selection criteria below to ensure your nominee is eligible to be considered for a Tu Kahikatea Award.

2. Complete the nomination form above by clicking on the button. The nomination form is for you or the person making the nomination to fill out.

3. Complete the letter of recommendation form above by clicking on the button. The letter of recommendation is to support your nomination, and must be completed by a priest or someone from your faith community who knows the nominee and their ministry contributions well.

4. Ensure that all nominations and letters of recommendation are submitted by the closing date (Sunday 26th of October). Late nominations may not be considered due to the panel and review process.

Award Criteria

There are several criteria for eligibility to receive a Tu Kahikatea award:

1. These awards are for young people who have made an outstanding contribution in their community.

2. Any young person (under 35 years) can be nominated for an award.

3. Typically to be considered for a Tu Kahikatea Award, the recipient will have completed 3+ years of consistent service.

a. This is intended to be a reasonably high threshold. For example, someone who has launched a parish youth group and is their first year of youth ministry may have made a significant contribution, but they wouldn’t quality for the Tu Kahikatea awards. The awards typically recognise those who have been faithfully serving over an extended period of time.

b. Exceptions can be made, but there would need to be a very significant contribution within a shorter time period. E.g. running a significant fundraiser after a natural disaster that generated tens of thousands of dollars.

4. Nominees may not be in a paid ministry role.

5. People who have received a Tu Kahikatea Award can be nominated again provided (1) they are nominated under a different category to their first award and (2) they have continued to serve in ministry since they received the first award.

The outstanding contribution that is recognised with a Tu Kahikatea award can fall under 1 of 8 categories:

Evangelisation – Evangelisation is about sharing the good news of Jesus and bringing it into every human situation. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have proclaimed the gospel in their community, seeking to make Jesus known and inviting others into relationship with Him.

Catechesis – Catechesis is about providing formation in the core content of our Catholic faith. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have lived out Christ’s exhortation to “go and make disciples,” educating others in the core content of our Catholic faith.

Prayer and Worship – Prayer and worship is about the raising of one’s mind and heart to God, through forms including personal prayer, music, and communal liturgies.  Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have shared their gifts through music ministry, helped others to deepen their prayer life, and/or contributed to communal liturgies.

Advocacy – Advocacy is about speaking up to support and/or defend what is right. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have used their voice to call others to responsibility and accountability around important issues, often on behalf of others.

Justice and Service - Justice and Service is about promoting and living out the social teaching of the Church. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have promoted the social teachings of the Church, living out these social teachings as a witness, and/or serving those in need.

Community Life – Community life is about building communities that live out Christ’s commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”  Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have contributed to creating a community the embodies Christian love, welcoming diversity, developing meaningful relationships, and nurturing Catholic faith.

Pastoral Care – Pastoral care is about a ministry of compassionate presence to those in need. It is about relationships. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have carried out ministry the supports others, enabling healing and growth to take place within individuals and their relationships.

Leadership Development – Leadership development is about enhancing the leadership capabilities of others. Young people receiving a Tu Kahikatea award in this category have recognised and affirmed the gifts and abilities of others, inviting them to share these abilities as leaders in their community.

Successful nominees and those who nominated them will be notified by the 17th of November. The Tu Kahikatea Awards will be presented on Sunday the 7th of December 4:30pm at St Patrick's Cathedral.

Unsuccessful nominees won't be notified. Those who made the nomination will be notified.

There is a strict selection criteria as well as a panel who reviews each nomination. There is usually a number of unsuccessful nominations each year, however we really encourage you to make another nomination the following year. Many who are nominated a second time receive awards after gaining some more experience.

Please ensure that your nomination is descriptive and includes clear examples of how your nominee has gone above and beyond in ministry. The panel who review each nomination can only assess what has been written in the nomination and letter of recommendation, so it is important that both of these contain the relevant information to make a decision.

You may use AI/ChatGPT to assist you in formatting your nomination, however we ask that you write using your own words. While it is a useful tool, it is unhelpful when it comes to making an informative nomination where specific examples are required.