A Bold Dream, A Life-Changing Boost, Momenta Opens Applications For 2026 Live The Life You Love Award

What happens when someone is given backing not just to get by, but to truly go after something they love?

Last year, that looked like a young Tauranga performer with cerebral palsy taking a major step towards his dream of studying acting in New York.

Now, Momenta Charitable Trust is inviting more people to take their shot, with applications open for the 2026 Live the Life You Love Award - a $10,000 grant created to support disabled people across the Bay of Plenty to pursue bold personal goals.

Led and delivered by Momenta, the award supports disabled people in pursuing a bold personal goal. That might be something in the arts, sport, study, entrepreneurship, adventure, or another meaningful area of life.

The award was launched in 2025 and attracted widespread interest, with Koen McKenzie named the inaugural recipient.

Momenta Chief Executive Shelley Blakey awarding Koen McKenzie with the 2025 Live the Life You Love Award.

Living with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the sixteen-year-old is a performer who has dreamed of a career in the performing arts from a young age. His award is helping support his goal of attending the Teen Advanced Acting Program at the New York School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA) in mid-2026, an intensive programme for emerging young actors.

Koen’s journey helped bring the spirit of the award to life, showing what can happen when talent, determination and the right support come together.

Momenta Chief Executive Shelley Blakey said the award was created to help people with disabilities pursue goals that matter deeply to them.

“We still see that disabled people are expected to fit around systems, barriers and limitations. This award is about turning that on its head. It’s about backing someone’s bold idea, believing in their potential and helping make something meaningful possible.”

Ms Blakey said the first year of the award showed just how powerful that support could be.

“Koen’s story captured exactly why this award matters. Here is a young man with big drive, talent and vision, and the award has helped him move closer to a dream he has held for years. We know there are many more people out there with their own dream, and we want to hear from them.”

Koen said receiving the first Live the Life You Love Award had been both encouraging and empowering.

“The award has helped me take a real step towards something I’ve worked hard for and dreamed about for a long time. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’d really encourage anyone with a bold dream they want to go after to apply.”

Koen has built an impressive track record in the performing arts, including lead roles in school productions, directing children’s theatre, attending the National Youth Drama School for three consecutive years and becoming a finalist in the Tauranga Performing Arts Competition. He is also a strong advocate for inclusion, representing young people with disabilities through the Instep Young Leaders Programme and serving as Arts Leader at his school.

Ms Blakey said the award is intentionally broad in scope.

“There are so many ways this grant could be used. It could help with a creative pursuit, a business idea, a sporting goal, a course, a project or a personal challenge. What matters is that it is bold, it is genuine, and it has the potential to open something up in that person’s life.”

The award is open to people aged 13 and over who live in the Western or Eastern Bay of Plenty and identify as disabled. While the award is primarily intended for individuals, small groups applying for a shared project or goal will also be considered.

Applications for the 2026 Live the Life You Love Award are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 15 May 2026.

The award is led and delivered by Momenta Charitable Trust, with support from an endowed fund held and administered by Acorn Foundation.

For more information or to apply, visit https://momenta.org.nz/live-the-life-you-love-award/

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