2026 Competition Results

Caritas promotes authentic human development. This means development of the whole person. It provides for their economic, cultural, political, social and spiritual wellbeing.

This year, students from Catholic schools across Aotearoa responded to the theme "Answer the Call – Be a Kaitiaki of Creation" with imaginative, thoughtful and powerful ideas for caring for our common home. Their entries showed a deep understanding of what it means to be a kaitiaki (guardian) of God's creation, and how our actions, big and small, can make a real difference.

Kaitiaki2Share received 133 entries from right across Aotearoa, with 242 students taking part, from individuals to classes and whole year groups. After carefully reviewing every entry, our judging panel selected 10 winners, 12 finalists and a further 18 notable entries that demonstrated exceptional thought, imagination and dedication to caring for our world. The standard was exceptionally high, making the task of choosing both inspiring and challenging.

We are proud to share the results of this year's competition. A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to every student who took part, and to the teachers and whānau who supported them. Every entry is a sign of young people answering the call to care for God's creation, and we hope you are all very proud of what you have shared.

KAITIAKI2SHARE 2026 RESULTS

Winners

These entries stood out for their creativity, impact and powerful witness to answering the call to care for God's creation. Congratulations to our Kaitiaki2Share 2026 Winners!

  • Anastasia Van Leeuwen       Year 8       St Joseph's Catholic School, Morrinsville

  • Alexis Timmins-Crawley             Year 9        St Mary's College, Ponsonby

  • Daron Pappachan                        Year 8        St Mary's Catholic School, Avondale                  

  • Jake Price & Makee Enricoso     Year 12      Sancta Maria College, Flatbush

  • Levi Dalton                                     Year 6        St Paul's Catholic School, Richmond

  • Mikayla Jazlyn Cortez                  Year 2        Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Takanini

  • Matthew Susanto                         Year 6        St Joseph's Catholic School, Takapuna

  • Year 5 & 6 Team Year 5 & 6 St Paul's Catholic School, Richmond

  • Sarah Betschart                            Year 6   St Josephs Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Willow-Skye Pieterse                   Year 4       St Mary's Catholic School, Papakura

Each winner will receive a share of the prize money, with a portion donated to Caritas in their name to acknowledge the work of Caritas and support people in vulnerable communities. Each winner will also have a native tree planted in their name in their region through Trees That Count.

Adrienne Walter-Laulu

Flynn O’Connor

Special Character Team - St Joseph’s Otahuhu

Year 2 Class - St Thomas More Catholic School

Arabela Stewart and Millie Kapa

Lucy Athena Belle Buzmion

Sophia Drummond & Jemma Paul

Caitlin Will

Nithika Pasala

Year 3 Class - St Michael’s Catholic School

Finalists

Our finalists impressed the judges with their thoughtfulness, originality, and strong connection to the principle of Stewardship. Each finalist has offered a hopeful and faithful vision for a better world.

  • Holly Spora — Year 8, Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Auckland

  • Jezreel Jakes — Year 7, Holy Cross Catholic School (Henderson), Auckland

  • Joswin Pradap, Juan Saj Tom & Logan Hutchison — Year 7, Our Lady of the Assumption School, Christchurch

  • Lachlan Russell — Year 8, St Patrick’s School, Napier

  • Lachlan Josh Cortez — Year 3, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Auckland

  • Maria Garcia & Bethany Azarcon — Year 5, St Mary’s School, Dunedin

  • Michelle Netto — Year 8, Christ the King School, Christchurch

  • Mikayla Jazlyn Cortez — Year 1, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Auckland

  • Sinead Whaley & Amelia Vandy — Year 4, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Summer Bagas — Year 7, Holy Cross Catholic School (Henderson), Auckland

  • Year 1 Class — Mt Carmel Catholic School, Auckland

  • Year 2 & 3 Class — St Mark’s Catholic School, Auckland

Each finalist will have a native tree planted in their name within their region — a lasting symbol of their care for our common home.

👇 Click the buttons below to discover their amazing efforts!

Holly Spora

Lachlan Russell

Michelle Netto

Summer Bagas

Jezreel Jakes

Lachlan Josh Cortez

Mikayla Jazlyn Cortez

Year 1 Class — Mt Carmel Catholic School

Joswin Pradap, Juan Saj Tom & Logan Hutchison

Maria Garcia & Bethany Azarcon

Sinead Whaley & Amelia Vandy

Year 2 & 3 Class — St Mark’s Catholic School

Notable Entries

This year we are also recognising a wide range of notable entries — individuals, classes, and whole groups whose work demonstrated outstanding creativity and care. These 50 recognised entries (from 225 submissions) are a true testament to the passion of our young kaitiaki.

  • Aaron Pieterse — Year 5, St Mary’s School (Papakura), Auckland

  • Alexandra Harrison — Year 6, St Patrick’s School, Napier

  • Amber Lee — Year 13, Carmel College, Auckland

  • Ainnee Mendoza — Year 6, St Mary’s School (Papakura), Auckland

  • Bella, Emma & Harper — Year 6, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Caitlin Atienza, Elsa Sajan & Olive Racaza — Year 6, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Auckland

  • Caoimhe Cuthill, Claire Fleming, Ogemdi Ogechi-Okoro & Raveesha Mendis — Year 6, St Joseph’s Catholic School Fairfield

  • Cohen & Frances — Year 5, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Dallas Hardman, Josh McPeak & Fletcher Mason — Year 6, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Daron — Year 7, St Mary’s Catholic School (Avondale), Auckland

  • Francheska Palisoc — Year 6, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Auckland

  • Janine Jineesh, Melissa Jinto & Eniya Baby — Year 5, St Mary’s School, Dunedin

  • Julia Kubala — Year 6, Monte Cecilia Catholic School, Auckland

  • Kiana Ranasinhe Arachchilage, Ysabella Tonga & Isabelle Wylie — Year 5, Mt Carmel Catholic School, Auckland

  • Lacey Rumary — Year 6, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Auckland

  • Livia Rakovic & Alexi Brown — Year 7, Our Lady of the Assumption School, Christchurch

  • Lucy Martin — Year 8, Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Auckland

  • Mackenzie Sam & Isabel Biddick — Year 5, Mt Carmel Catholic School, Auckland

  • Maya Roos — Year 6, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Nicolas Javier & Jaiden Joby — Year 7, St Brigid’s School, Wellington

  • Nicole Snead & Olivia Caighan — Year 5, Mt Carmel Catholic School, Auckland

  • Olivia O’Shaughnessy — Year 8, St Patrick’s School, Napier

  • Riley Wilson — Year 5, New Brighton Catholic School, Christchurch

  • Roisin Martin & Phoebe Smith — Year 5, Mt Carmel Catholic School, Auckland

  • Room 3 – Year 5 & 6 Students — St Joseph’s Catholic School (Otahuhu), Auckland

  • Talya Rajesh — Year 7, Holy Cross Catholic School (Henderson), Auckland

  • Taylor Godinet — Year 5, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairfield

  • Year 1 Class - St Mary’s Catholic School, Tauranga

Kaitiaki2Share:

Winning Entries from Previous Years:

2024

2022

2020

2023

2021

2020