The creative talents of young people from across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty have been celebrated in the annual Q Awards.

Entrants aged 16-18 submitted entries across categories that included graphic, moving image, photography, architecture and product.

The winners were announced this week, including the coveted People's Choice Award in which members of the public had their say on which entry should win.

'The effort that participants put in to their work was incredible,” says Quentin van Heerden, managing director of Quentosity, the Tauranga-based digital agency that founded the Q Awards.

'Each entrant should be very proud of their achievements, as should their teachers who have been really supportive of the Q Awards. Like last year, some of the entries were exceptional and are further proof of the strong sense of creativity that runs through our region.”

Prizes for the Q Awards range from funding support worth $1500, to internships with Sun Media and Quentosity Digital Agency.

'An internship can have a massive impact on a winner's career path,” says Quentin. 'So can the funding support as it can be used for equipment or technology that is essential when starting out in the creative world.”

The Q Awards were created by Quentosity to help and encourage up-and-coming creatives. Last year's inaugural awards were such a success it was a no-brainer to run the awards again in 2022, says Quentin.

It's not just Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty schools that have backed the Q Awards, it's businesses too. Sponsors include Trustpower, Holland Beckett Law, Sun Media Ltd, Seeka, Media Masters, Kale Print, Quentosity, Rothbury Insurance, and Nesti Chartered Accountants.

'We couldn't run the awards without the backing of our sponsors, judges and the volunteers on the Q Awards Charitable Trust,” says Quentin.

'Huge thanks to everyone involved, and huge congratulations to every entrant. Can't wait for next year!”

To see the full list of winners, head to the Q Awards website at: www.qawards.co.nz

Part of the All About Appearance entry by Jackson Gilbert, co-winner of the top prize in the Photography category, sponsored by Sun Media and Quentosity in 2022's Q Awards.