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Tauranga Teen Wins $10k To Chase Acting Dream In New York
Ōmokoroa student Koen McKenzie named first-ever recipient of Momenta's new award for people with lived experience of disability in the Bay of Plenty
Momenta has named Ōmokoroa student Koen McKenzie as the first-ever recipient of its new 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.
The award is a new initiative from Momenta, a Bay of Plenty-based charitable trust that works alongside people with disabilities to help them build a life they value. Through coaching, mentoring, advocacy and work readiness, Momenta helps people to discover their strengths and step confidently into their futures.
The Live the Life You Love Award financially supports people with disabilities in bringing ambitious, life-changing ideas to life, from creative pursuits to personal challenges, business ideas and physical adventure.
Koen, a sixteen-year-old who lives with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, plans to use the funds to help attend the Teen Advanced Acting Program at the New York School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA). The world-class programme is a three-week intensive for young actors from around the globe, who get to train with industry professionals in acting, stagecraft and screen performance. Koen plans to travel to New York in mid-2026 to take part, which is a major step toward achieving his lifelong dream of a career in the performing arts.
Applications for the inaugural award opened in April 2025 and were available for several weeks. The opportunity was open to anyone aged 13 and over, with a disability, living in the Western or Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Momenta Chief Executive Shelley Blakey congratulates Koen on winning the Live the Life You Love Award.
Momenta Chief Executive Shelley Blakey says the selection panel was looking for applicants who demonstrated clear ambition, personal drive and a goal that would push them outside their comfort zone.
'The application process asked people to present a bold, meaningful goal. There were no strict limitations, and applicants were encouraged to dream big and think creatively. They also needed to show why it mattered to them,' says Shelley. 'We were looking for someone with passion, tenacity and a clear plan. Koen's application ticked every box. His dream has been years in the making, and it was clear that this opportunity would be both life-changing for him and inspiring to others.'
'He's already doing the mahi and has the heart, ambition and the follow-through. Koen's a powerful example of what's possible when people with a lived experience of disability are given the tools and belief to go after a life they love.'
Koen's passion for performing began at the age of five. Over the years, he's taken on lead roles in school productions, directed children's theatre, attended the National Youth Drama School for three consecutive years, is a finalist in the Tauranga Performing Arts Competition, and has recently enrolled in Trinity Musical Theatre and Speech and Drama exams. Koen makes it clear his disability doesn't hold him back from doing what he loves.
'I've dreamed about performing on a big stage since I was little,' says Koen. 'I've always been taught that 'I can't' isn't something we say at home, and this award proves that. Just because I have a disability doesn't mean I can't go after something big, and I want others to know that too. This is a huge step towards really making performing arts my future, growing my confidence and encouraging others to set their sights on a really big goal.'
Koen 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. He regularly uses his platform to promote disability representation in the arts and encourage others to pursue their passions.
To help cover the remaining $7,480 needed for the full cost of the programme, Koen will begin actively fundraising. Supporters can learn more or donate via Any funds raised beyond what's needed for his trip to New York will be donated to the Cerebral Palsy Society.
The award funding is held in trust as a long-term endowment through the Acorn Foundation, ensuring its ongoing impact for years to come. Moving forward, the award will be offered annually to help other disabled people across the Bay of Plenty step boldly toward their goals.
You can follow Koen's journey and learn more about the Live the Life You Love Award at or on social media @MomentaCharitableTrust
