Young Leaders Day Encourages Students to Imagine

Live a 3D lifestyle. This is the challenge that inspiring New Zealand leaders put to the crowd of more than 2,000 primary and intermediate students from 147 schools for the National Young Leaders Day (NYLD) which was held at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau earlier today.

Students were taught by Silver Fern and Northern Mystics player Laura Langman, athlete and Carabiner Mentoring Programme founder Cam Calkoen the adventurer and host of TV One's First Crossings series Jamie Fitzgerald, chief executive of The Mind Lab Frances Valintine and Attitude Programmes for Schools presenter Charlie Laumatia.

NYLD events encourage students to live a 3-D life by dreaming, daring and developing their leadership potential.

"Just like the way a 3D movie bursts off the screen, a 3D life is so much better than a dull flat one," NYLD manager Annette Fale says.

"Dream what your future life could be... then follow that dream. Dare to do the brave and terrifying things that make life interesting. Your strengths are your most valuable assets. There's so much more to you than you realize. Nobody can live a successful life without courage, vision and hard work." students were told.

Frances Valintine was the driving factor behind Media Design School. In 2013, she launched The Mind Lab in Newmarket A facility dedicated to teaching robotics, electronics, programming, film making animation, and science technology to children aged 4 to 15 years old.

Frances challenged the young leaders to be prepared for a new world. Minecraft servers

"To prepare for the future, you need to open your mind and be curious. This is your strongest asset not technology, not how well you can play Minecraft, but curiosity and discovery," Frances said, as the students wrote notes in their notebooks.

"Wake up in the morning and consider how I can make things better and how can I make things better?"

The day was not only motivational, but also entertaining. Highlights of the day included performances by The Laughing Samoans, interactive gaming and 3D video clips.

Over 90,000 students from New Zealand have attended a National Young Leaders Day since 2001. Events are held each year in Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North, Rotorua. Christchurch and Dunedin.