What is NYDS?
NYDS is a 9-day residential performing arts school held in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Founded in 1991, NYDS is now in its 35th year and attracts over 200 students from around the country. Workshops are taught by industry professionals, active in their creative field and passionate about sharing their skills and experience. You can find out more, and watch a video at About NYDS

How old do I have to be to attend NYDS?
NYDS is for ages 14-19. This includes students who have left secondary school.

Where and when is NYDS held?
NYDS is held in Havelock North and Hastings (Hawke’s Bay) in the April school holidays.

How long is NYDS?
NYDS runs for 9 days. Students are expected to attend every day, including all scheduled evening activities. NYDS starts on the afternoon of the first Saturday of the April school holidays, and runs until midday on the middle Sunday.

Where do NYDS students typically come from?
NYDS attracts students from Cape Reinga to the Bluff – a truly national event! We also have a sizeable amount of Hawke’s Bay students, many of whom play an important role hosting students from round the country as part of our billeting programme.

What are the rules at NYDS? Do you have a Code of Conduct?
Yes! We have a Code of Conduct, and rules to keep you and other students safe. For your application to be accepted by NYDS, you must agree to abide by the code.

Will you pick me up from Hawke’s Bay airport when I arrive?
Yes! In March we ask all non-local students to let us know how they are arriving in Hawke’s Bay. If you are flying in on Saturday, the free NYDS shuttle will be there to pick you up. Our drivers will be wearing NYDS lanyards and name tags. We transport students in groups, so you may have to wait for more students to arrive before the shuttle leaves the airport. We also drop students back to the airport on Sunday after the Closing Ceremony.

What time do I need to arrive in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday for the Opening Ceremony and Registration?
Please aim to arrive in Hawke’s Bay by 2pm at the latest, otherwise you will miss the Opening Ceremony and other orientation activities.

What happens if my flight home is cancelled and I can’t get on another flight that day?
Please contact our Production Lead – you and your parents will be given all necessary contact details in your pre-NYDS information pack. We’ll look after you and make sure you can get back to the airport as soon as you can get on another flight.

I am a local Hawke’s Bay student, can I get the NYDS shuttle to and from school each day?
If you are billeting an out-of-town NYDS student, you and your billet(s) will be picked up each morning by the NYDS shuttle, and dropped home each evening (unless you are walking distance from the school).
If you are not hosting a student, you will need to find your own way to NYDS, or find other students to carpool with. Unfortunately NYDS does not receive sufficient funding to provide a shuttle for non-hosting students.

What time does NYDS start each day?
You need to be at school by 9am every day except the final Saturday and Sunday which will start slightly later (you will be told the exact time for the final weekend in the information pack we email out in late March).

What time does NYDS finish each day?
NYDS runs an evening programme on four days which all students must attend as part of the NYDS experience. Tickets to all shows are included in your tuition fees. Approximate finish times for the week are as follows. (Note that more exact times will be included in the information pack we email in late March, once programming has been finalised).
Saturday (registration and opening ceremony) 6pm
Sunday / Monday 8:30pm
Tuesday 5pm
Wednesday / Thursday 8:30pm
Friday 5pm
Final Saturday 11pm (Disco night)
Final Sunday at midday (if you are flying/bussing home, please book your ticket for after 2pm)

What time is dinner break (on the days I attend evening activities?
5-7pm.
Hostel students return to the hostel to eat dinner, along with any other students who have signed up for catered hostel dinners. Unless staying close by, most billeted and local students either stay at NYDS to eat dinner they’ve brought with them, or walk into Havelock North to get takeaways/supermarket food. You’re welcome to use the staff microwave if you need to heat up dinner brought from home (please arrange this with the NYDS office), and you can hang out in the NYDS chill-out room.

Why is there a two-hour break before the evening activities? Couldn’t it be shorter? Or couldn’t we skip the break and just have our dinner later?
We have a long dinner break for a number of reasons:

• NYDS staff need time to “tech in” the evening shows (sound, lighting, testing etc.) This takes a bit of time!
• This is when hostel caterers want to serve the evening meal.
• Students need ample time to walk back to the hostel, or into Havelock North village to get dinner.
  
• It works well for most students to have a solid break after a full day of class to relax and unwind before the evening activity.

How much does NYDS cost to attend?
You can find out the fees for this year’s NYDS at our Costs page.

Will I need pocket-money for NYDS?
Yes, you will need money for lunches, and depending on your accommodation – for dinners too. Find out more at our Pocket-Money and Meals section.

How does NYDS fund its annual school?
NYDS funds the school by charging fees, applying for grants, and receiving donations. Fees charged cover less than half of what it costs to fund NYDS so grants and donations are important. We couldn’t run NYDS without them. You can see who our main funders are on our Supporters page.

Can I make a donation to the NYDS Charitable Trust?
Absolutely, we would love that! Our account for donations is ANZ Bank 01-0646-0246667-00. As we’re a charity, you’ll get a 33% tax credit on the donated amount at the end of the tax year. Send us an email to let us know you’ve donated – we’ll send you a receipt so you can claim your tax credit from the IRD.

I can’t afford to attend NYDS, are there scholarships available?
Yes, we have a scholarship programme for students who need help to attend NYDS. We also encourage students to organise fundraiser events and/or seek sponsorship from local businesses in their region. Find out more at Scholarships.

When is the deadline for paying NYDS fees?
If you selected the Earlybird fees option, your fees are due in full by 31 December.
Standard fees are due by 31 March.

What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be advised in writing to NYDS at admin@nyds.co.nz. Refunds will be made based on the following cancellation deadlines:
Before March 31st: Full refund less non-refundable deposit
After March 31st: No refund*
*After the final deadline, for cancellations resulting from exceptional circumstances, NYDS will consider written requests for a partial refund of Course Fees on a case-by-case basis. However, please be aware that NYDS must provide final numbers to the Hostel one week before the start date and that we are unable to refund hostel fees for cancellations after this date, unless there are students on a waiting list who could take your place.

What classes can I take at NYDS?
Read about our 16 classes at Classes.

How many different classes can I attend at NYDS?
NYDS is an intensive, immersive performing arts school. You will attend one class over the NYDS week, rather than a range of classes. When you apply to NYDS you will select your top six choices and we will place you in a class accordingly. If you are placed in a “Home Group” class, you will have the opportunity to try one other class during the week. We call these Afternoon Tasters and placement will be based on your class choices on the application form.

What is an Afternoon Taster?
Students placed in a “Home Group” class will try out one other class on Monday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon. We call this a Taster class as you’ll get a taste of what this other class is all about. If you like it, you could apply to be placed in that class for your Home Group at NYDS the following year!

I have been placed in a “Full-Day class” (Directing, Songwriting, Advanced Acting, Technical, Playwriting, Circus), can I do a Taster class?
No, the nature of these classes doesn’t fit the home group/taster model.

Why wasn’t I placed in my first choice of class?
We do our best to place you in your first or second choice, but this is not always possible. We consider many factors in allocating classes, including applicant experience, class size and mix of age and gender. While class placements are NOT made on a first-come-first-served basis, the earlier you apply, the more chance you will have of getting one of your top choices.

Do I need to prepare anything for my class at NYDS?
We will email you a fortnight before NYDS begins if you need to prepare or bring anything for your class. Advanced Acting and Directing classes are usually asked to prepare something (see the class descriptions page).

I have been accepted to NYDS, when will I hear what class I am in?
If you applied before February 28, we will send you your class by March 15th. If you apply after March 1st, we will send you your class as soon as we are able to. Please be patient as we work out the best class placements depending on age, gender, experience etc.

Will you pick me up from Hawke’s Bay airport when I arrive?
Yes! In March we ask all non-local students to let us know how they are arriving in Hawke’s Bay. If you are flying in on Saturday, the free NYDS shuttle will be there to pick you up. Our drivers will be wearing NYDS lanyards and name tags. We transport students in groups, so you may have to wait for more students to arrive before the shuttle leaves the airport. We also drop students back to the airport on Sunday after the Closing Ceremony.

What time do I need to arrive in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday for the Opening Ceremony and Registration?
Please aim to arrive in Hawke’s Bay by 2pm at the latest, otherwise you will miss the Opening Ceremony and other orientation activities.

What happens if my flight home is cancelled and I can’t get on another flight that day?
Please contact our Production Lead – you and your parents will be given all necessary phone numbers in your pre-NYDS information pack. We’ll look after you and make sure you can get back to the airport as soon as you can get on another flight.

I am a local Hawke’s Bay student, can I get the NYDS shuttle to and from school each day?
If you are billeting an out-of-town NYDS student, you and your billet(s) will be picked up each morning by the NYDS shuttle, and dropped home each evening (unless you are walking distance from the school).
If you are not hosting a student, you will need to find your own way to NYDS, or find other students to carpool with. Unfortunately NYDS does not receive sufficient funding to provide a shuttle for non-hosting students.

What lunch options are available?
The school canteen sells lunch options for $4 – $8, including pies, paninis, wedges, nachos, burgers, sandwiches and mini-pizzas. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items are available.

What meals are included in my NYDS accommodation?
Hostel: breakfast every morning, dinner on every night except the last Saturday when you’ll be in Hastings town centre over the dinner break. Lunch is NOT provided.
Billeted students: breakfast every morning, dinner on first Saturday, Tuesday and Friday evenings. The other days you will attend NYDS evening activities and will get your own dinner in Havelock North (or the hostel if you have signed up for catered dinners for these evenings.) Lunch is NOT provided.

I am a local or billeted student. On the nights when I’m attending the NYDS evening programme, can I join the hostel students for dinner at the NYDS hostel?
Yes! But you need to let us know in advance. We’ll send an online dinner order form in late March to all students who aren’t staying in the hostel. You’ll need to sign up (and pay) at least one week prior to NYDS as the caterer needs final numbers by this time. 

Where can I stay while I attend NYDS?
NYDS offers two accommodation options:
– Hostel (sleeps 80 students, sex-segregated dormitories)
– Billeted with a local host family.
Read more at Accommodation.

How many nights does NYDS provide accommodation for?
Both hostel and billet accommodation options are from Saturday night to the following Sunday morning (8 nights). If you are arriving earlier, or staying later, you will need to arrange your own accommodation for the extra nights.

When will I find out who my billet host / billet student is?
We wait until the beginning of April to finalise billet placements. Due to unforeseen circumstances, some students or hosts need to pull out so we have found it easier to wait until close to the start of NYDS to match billets with hosts.