15th
November
2026
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DUE 1ST JULY
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DUE 1ST JULY
PROMOTING AUTHENTIC PATHWAYS IN DANCE
WELCOME TO NZDL
Kia ora,
nau mai, haere mai
NZDL is a dance competition created by the New Zealand Dance Arts Association to provide a vibrant platform for rangatahi and adults to showcase their talent.
Elevating dance in Aotearoa through excellence, inclusivity, and innovation, NZDL exists to empower youth, celebrate culture, and promote pathways in dance.
three leagues. three lenses. one stage.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DUE 1ST JULY
SCHOOLS,
STUDIOS,
CREWS,
INDEPENDENT
GROUPS
WELCOME TO NZDL
ALL ARE
WELCOME
HERE
Registration
Deadlines
WHICH LEAGUE WILL YOU TAKE ON?
ABOUT US
Our mission:
To empower rangatahi.
To create exciting new opportunities to showcase dance.
To support authentic, real pathways in dance. We aim to provide stepping stones in to the professional world of dance through our sponsorship donations and awards.
Our motto:
Our key motto is Not by style. By focus.
We know everyone dances for a different reason. Our vision at NZDL is to breakdown style divisions, while still protecting style authenticity, to create a competition that reflects the diverse world of dance, and prepares dancers for the evolving dance industry of today. We welcome all dancers of all abilities.
What makes us different?
Instead of separating dance styles in a traditional judging format, NZDL offers three different leagues to compete in.
Choosing a league depends on your preference of judging criteria and what you want your team to focus on. You may enter one or more leagues. We welcome traditional, theatre, street, cultural, fusion and hybrid styles to our stage - we believe strength lies in diversity and we role model this by opening the stage to dance in all its forms.