From bringing emergency services into schools to launching new SADD groups, organising creative fundraisers and taking road safety messages to the airwaves, our 2026 SADD Impact Award winners have shown just how much of a difference rangatahi can make in their communities.
The SADD Impact Awards recognise the students and schools who are going above and beyond to promote safer road use, inspire their peers and turn good ideas into meaningful action.
This year, we're celebrating three outstanding winners who have demonstrated creativity, initiative, teamwork and a real commitment to making a difference.
⭐Rising Star Award: Prasad Prabhu, Christchurch Boys' High School
Sometimes all it takes is one person with an idea and the determination to make it happen.
After many years without a SADD group, Prasad Prabhu was determined to bring one back to Christchurch Boys' High School for 2026. He reached out to SADD late last year to get the ball rolling, showing real initiative in establishing a new group and creating opportunities for his fellow students to get involved in road safety.
One of the group's standout achievements was a successful lunchtime road safety expo, bringing together AA, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Police and Christchurch City Council.
Students had the opportunity to learn practical skills and get hands-on with road safety. AA demonstrated how to change a tyre and maintain a safe vehicle, Police brought along their booze bus, spike strip, speed laser and breath tester to spark conversations about impairment, and FENZ shared insights into their role when responding to vehicle crashes. Christchurch City Council also ran an impairment goggle obstacle course.
Prasad even promoted the event at a full-school assembly, helping get the wider school community involved.
What makes this achievement particularly impressive is that Prasad made it happen with just one other SADD group member, Jeremy, alongside support from his Programme Delivery Lead.
Congratulations, Prasad! Your determination to get things started and create opportunities for others to learn about road safety is exactly what emerging leadership looks like.
⭐Collective Action Award: Tauranga Girls' College
When it comes to bringing people together and making road safety everyone's business, Tauranga Girls' College has shown what's possible.
The SADD committee delivered two fantastic events this year, combining practical road safety education, community partnerships, fundraising and plenty of student involvement.
First, the committee organised a fundraising event in support of Brake, the national road safety charity. With a carnival-style approach, the event featured games with lolly prizes, a second-hand jewellery and keychain stall, a lolly jar guessing competition and a photobooth.
The committee also reached beyond the school gates, securing support from local businesses. Mama's Donuts donated $1 to Brake for every donut sold, while Bakers Delight donated 15 loaves of bread for the committee to sell, with all proceeds going to the cause.
But they didn't stop there.
In August, the committee hosted Meet the First Responders, a lunchtime event bringing emergency services directly onto school grounds. Students could explore the Police booze bus, see Fire and Emergency NZ fire trucks up close and take part in hands-on CPR sessions with St John.
Alongside the emergency services, the committee ran a road safety quiz, photobooth and interactive board where students could share something they had learned. They also partnered with Mr Whippy, who donated $1 for every ice cream sold, and included a fundraiser for Tauranga Women's Refuge.
From coordinating volunteers and communications to securing local business support and creating engaging activities, the committee demonstrated what can happen when a group works together towards a shared goal.
Congratulations to the Tauranga Girls' College SADD committee for showing how creativity, teamwork and community connections can turn road safety ideas into action!
⭐Outstanding Contribution Award: Waitaki Girls' High School
Waitaki Girls' High School has demonstrated an impressive commitment to keeping road safety on the agenda throughout the year, earning them the 2026 Outstanding Contribution Award.
Their SADD group has consistently delivered activities and initiatives, worked alongside community partners and found creative ways to get road safety messages out to a wider audience.
Alongside their regular school activities, the group has embraced social media to share road safety content and extend their reach beyond the classroom. More recently, they've taken things a step further by getting involved in a radio interview and recording advertising reads, helping bring important road safety messages to the wider community.
Their willingness to explore different ways of engaging people, build community connections and maintain momentum throughout the year demonstrates a real commitment to making a difference.
Congratulations to Waitaki Girls' High School for their outstanding contribution and for showing that road safety advocacy doesn't stop at the school gates! Have a listen to their awesome radio interview here 👇
Celebrating all our amazing nominations
While we're excited to celebrate this year's winners, the Impact Awards are also an opportunity to recognise the incredible work happening across SADD schools and communities throughout the country.
This year's nominations showcased so many fantastic examples of rangatahi stepping up, taking initiative and finding creative ways to make a difference. From organising school-wide events and fundraising for important causes to partnering with local organisations, sharing road safety messages online and creating opportunities for their peers to learn, the nominations highlighted the energy, passion and commitment of our SADD students.
We know that not every great initiative makes it into a nomination, and there are countless students, teachers and supporters putting in the mahi behind the scenes throughout the year. Whether it's a lunchtime activity, a conversation with a mate, a community partnership or a whole-school campaign, every effort helps keep road safety on the agenda.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination, and to all the SADD groups, students, teachers and community partners who have contributed to another year of making a difference. Your efforts deserve to be celebrated!
Small actions, big impact
This year's nominations demonstrate that making a difference doesn't have to start with a big budget, a large committee or a complicated plan.
It can start with one student putting their hand up, a group working together on an idea, or a school creating an opportunity for its community to learn something new.
Every conversation, activity and action contributes to building a culture where young people look out for each other and make safer choices on our roads.
Congratulations again to our 2026 Impact Award winners, and thank you to everyone who has been part of the SADD movement this year.
Keep stepping up, speaking out and making an impact. We can't wait to see what you achieve next!