For young creatives around New Zealand the National Youth Drama School is the pinnacle event of their year for inspiring and cultivating their talent and ambition.
Among the 265 students attending this year's school are two young locals who have stepped up into leadership positions after years of involvement.
Sione Roberts of Hastings and Meg Wyatt of Taradale have both taken on ambassador roles this year in the hopes that they can contribute to the "family culture" they have grown to love at the National Youth Drama School (NYDS) over the years.
"People come back not just for the learning experiences you gain from the mentors but because of the friends and family you make here. It's like a family here," Ms Wyatt said.
Now completing her fourth year at the school Ms Wyatt said the students' common interest in the arts is what brings them so close together in such a short space of time.