Rangatahi lead Youth Week event

Northland’s rangatahi are front and centre for Youth Week, after designing a free celebration at Papa Hawaiki, Lindvart Park in Kaikohe this afternoon (Friday 22 May 2026).

The event kicks off at 4pm, catering for 13- to 24-year-olds. The crowds can look forward to games, karaoke, a silent indoor disco, an Aunties Chill Zone, circus classes and a dedicated space for young mums. There’ll also be plenty of kai, music and spot prizes.

Hayley Paul from Sport Northland is part of the coordinating crew. She says, “Healthy Families Far North led a drive to collect suggestions from Northland rangatahi, which completely shaped the event.”

“Rangatahi are also running some of the on-site activities. They knew what was needed, and they wanted to take the lead, from providing hot drinks to promoting anti-violence education.”

RJ from People Potential led a group of young people, called the Taiohi Collective, to develop media platforms that promoted the gathering. The Pāua Trust led funding applications, budget and logistics.

In addition to this incredible team effort, the Far North District Council is one of several other organisations backing the project. The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board approved $3000 in April (2026), towards the hire of sound and lighting equipment, while council staff are lending marquees for some of the stalls.

Hayley says, “It’s great to watch the ideas and work of our rangatahi become a reality.”

Find out more about the event, and the organisations supporting it, on the Taiohi Collective’s Facebook page. For information about other Youth Week celebrations, head to arataiohi.org.nz.