Nina Griffiths, Justice Hetaraka and Te Rau Aroha Totoro are 18 and already driving change in their communities.
Their passion and commitment has been recognised at the New Zealand Youth Awards in Wellington at Parliament last night. Ms Totoro is behind a workshop aimed to reduce youth fatalities on the roads, Ms Griffiths has campaigned for youth suicide prevention in Kaitaia and Ms Hetaraka created a karakia for Whangarei Girls High School to normalise Maori culture.
Ms Totoro, a student leader at Tikipunga High School, was a recipient of the Change Maker (Community Safety) award and was also selected to speak at the ceremony.
She was nominated for implementing "Drive It", a community project to increase awareness around safe driving for youth.
She organised a workshop, held on March 24, about the dangers of drink driving. It was facilitated by Whangarei police and also included entertainment.
"We found out online the youth fatality statistics are quite high so we wanted to at least try to change some of those statistics in Whangarei," she said.
Ms Totoro said she knew she was being nominated for the award but was surprised to win.
"For me it opens my eyes that people do get awards for these things and there are other people who create opportunities for people as well."
Ms Griffiths also won a Change Maker (Community Safety) award for her suicide prevention work in the Far North.
After losing friends to suicide Ms Griffiths decided to take action. She organised a community korero with comedian and suicide awareness campaigner Mike King as the guest speaker.
Since that community talk in July last year she has noticed change, including a new youth space and the relaunch of a youth suicide prevention group.
"People keep coming up to me and say 'hey, I have this idea maybe this is how we can fix this' and that has been the most significant thing for me," she said.
Ms Griffiths said it was "pretty amazing" to win the award and she was also excited to hear there were two other winners from Northland.
"It shows that our young people are definitely worthy of recognition."
Meanwhile, Justice Hetaraka, who was head girl of Whangarei Girls High School last year, scooped the Change Maker (Cultural) Award.
Ms Hetaraka, who is now studying a conjoint degree in law and arts at the University of Auckland, was recognised for her desire to normalise Maori culture.
She created a non-religious-based school karakia called Te Timatanga (The Beginning) - which is a positive affirmation to start the day.
"I wanted to enrich everyone's cultural appreciation and identity.
"Our culture is for everyone, not just Maori," she said.
Ms Hetaraka was not able to make it to the award night because of exams but said she was "proud".
"I think it's really important because it shows no matter how little, or ambitious, your ideas are it is important to follow through with them because it could make a difference."