The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award is available to all 14–24 year olds, regardless of their background.
The Award has three levels, each progressively more challenging.
Participants are required to complete four sections at each level: Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey. At Gold level, participants also complete a Residential Project.
Latest Posts
Lumsden sisters keep active during lockdown thanks to the Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Lumsden sisters keep active during lockdown thanks to the Award Lumsden sisters, Cassandra (Gold) and Charlotte (Silver) have been adding a few hours to their Awards while in lockdown. For the Skills section of their Award, they have been creating mandala rocks. Using rocks they found while out walking and test pots from the... Keep Reading
Napier Boys' High School students helping community
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Napier Boys’ High School Duke of Ed participants find new ways of helping community Despite disruptions to the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award caused by Covid-19, participants at Napier Boys’ High School (NBHS) have adapted and are showing strength and resilience during this time. For many, it has meant finding alternative ways... Keep Reading
Duke of Ed participant helping local marae
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Duke of Ed Award participant supporting local Marae during lockdown As we clock up almost six weeks in lockdown, positive stories continue to come in of the amazing activities Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award participants are doing around the country to support their communities. Duke of Ed participant Alex Bengston, who is from... Keep Reading
Duke of Ed students help elderly neighbours
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Blue Mountain College students provide support to their community during COVID Crisis The world might be more worrying and stressful for everyone right now – but there are still pockets of positivity and good news out there to keep us all positive. Duke of Ed participant and Blue Mountains College student Sydney Robertson is... Keep Reading
Words of encouragement from the Governor General
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
New Zealand's Governor General encourages the Award Community New Zealand' Governor General, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, sends the Award Community this message of encouragement during this challenging time - Keep Reading
Response to COVID-19
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Managing the Award in a COVID-19 environment National Office As you are all aware, we have a different way of managing how we live at present. Currently the Award National Office is operating business as usual as much as possible. While we are now all working from home, it is anticipated that there will be little disruption to... Keep Reading
Kākāriki Journey launch
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award focusing on the environment Keep Reading
Youth Hub - Education to Employment
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Education to Employment In October, we officially launched our partnership with Youth Hub - an online network where young people can create a profile, network with others and use their profile to apply for jobs. Our participants can document their Award journey and highlight all the skills and attributes they have gained throug... Keep Reading
First MACPAC Volunteer Award announced
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
First MACPAC Volunteer Award announced Award Leaders are the backbone of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) in Aotearoa and are the face of the Award to our participants. We simply couldn’t run the Award without the support of our leaders who so generously give their time to help our rangatahi to achie... Keep Reading
Kiwi young people supporting their communities
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Kiwi young people supporting their communities As Aotearoa New Zealand celebrates National Volunteers Week, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) is focused on highlighting the important role that young Kiwis play in supporting their communities and country through volunteering. Karen Ross, National Director of the Award, s... Keep Reading
GravityLab simplifying Award day-to-day operations
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
GravityLab simplifying Award day-to-day operations The Award team have been working on building more meaningful and lasting relationships with our community across different generations, regions and life stages. To support this initiative, we recently partnered with GravityLab to move all our participant, volunteer and Award unit data into Sa... Keep Reading
Young offenders celebrate gaining their Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Young offenders celebrate gaining their Award A group of ten young offenders at Christchurch men's prison are celebrating - having gained their Duke of Edinburgh awards. To achieve thier Award the young inmates - whose ages range from 17 to 20 - completed outdoor pursuits, volunteered in the prison gardens, built push-bikes, raised money for... Keep Reading
Taking on the great New Zealand outdoors
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Taking on the great New Zealand outdoors Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) National Director Karen Ross and Christine (Grover) Worsfold from Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits & Education Centre (TOPEC) have signed an agreement to work together, providing young people in the Taranaki region with greater opportunities to g... Keep Reading
Partnership to benefit New Zealand's Cadet Forces
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Partnership to benefit New Zealand’s Cadet Forces Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) National Director, Karen Ross, and New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Grant Morris, have signed an agreement to partner together and help cadets and young officers gain their Award. The Award progr... Keep Reading
Duke of Ed participants give 67,000 hours of service to the community
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Duke of Ed students give 67,000 hours of voluntary service to the community Over the past 12 months, Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award participants have given a total of 67,000 hours of voluntary service to the community throughout Aotearoa. Participants volunteer in all sorts of ways – working in conservation, helping at... Keep Reading