Youth Calendar
What's happening in Central Otago
Entries Open: IHC Capture the Moment Photography Competition (Online)
Dates: Wed, 15 July 2026 - Mon, 15 June 2026
Capture the moment is IHC’s photography competition for New Zealanders with an intellectual disability, or an intellectual disability and autism.
Building on the success of the IHC Art Awards, Capture the moment celebrates creativity through the lens – whether a camera, mobile phone, or tablet.
The competition is a platform for self-expression, confidence-building, and connection, while highlighting the unique perspectives and stories of photographers. It helps raise awareness of the creativity within the IHC community and encourages inclusion and appreciation through visual storytelling.
Our judges select 30 finalists whose work will be exhibited at FOTO FEST in Hawke’s Bay. FOTO FEST is a vibrant, city-wide visual arts and cultural event held across Hastings and Napier, featuring exhibitions in galleries, community spaces, outdoor locations, and local businesses.
This year’s theme, “Nature: the living world,” invites participants to capture the beauty, diversity, and vitality of the natural environment.
Photograph by 2025 First Place Winner Dan Zam titled Whio.
Location
June 2026
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Lakes Polyfest T-Shirt Design Competition 2026 (Online)Mon, 1 June 2026 - Mon, 7 September 2026 Mawhiti Tino Rawe / Clever Crustaceans 2026 (Alexandra)Mon, 1 June 2026 - Mon, 20 July 2026 @ 10.00am - 4.00pm | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Smokefree Rockquest 2026: Central Otago Regional Final (Queenstown)Sat, 13 June 2026 @ 6.00pm |
| 14 | Entries Open: IHC Capture the Moment Photography Competition (Online)Wed, 15 July 2026 - Mon, 15 June 2026 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Play It Strange Waiata MÄori Competition 2026 (Online)Sun, 1 February 2026 - Sun, 21 June 2026 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival 2026 (WÄnaka & Queenstown).Fri, 19 June 2026 - Fri, 26 June 2026 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 |

