"Stage Challenge gives students the opportunity to make positive decisions in several areas of their lives and allows them to have fun with their friends while doing so," she said.
For months, students, teachers, parents and wider communities work together to prepare performances to be staged across New Zealand at some of the country's premier venues.
Their original pieces of work can be based on themes significant to the community or on concepts as vast as they can imagine - from political and social ideas to pure fantasy.
The event also has scope for teachers to use elements for NCEA assessments in subjects such as dance, drama, woodwork, art and textiles.
Stage Challenge producer Helen Sjoquist is delighted with how the event has grown.
"More than 250,000 students have been part of the event and I am proud to witness and hear about their accomplishments both at school and in their future careers," Mrs Sjoquist said.