Youth Week 2023 kicked off on May 15th with the first hāpori event ran at Whitikau, Ōpōtiki Skate Park between 3pm and 6pm. There were many different stations and workshops being delivered to our Rangatahi such as horse riding, Barber Shop, Games and Activities, Gaming bus, old school games to name a few.
This weeks kaupapa was a collaboration between Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board and Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea with over 200+ Rangatahi through our doors over the three wānanga days which included 9 schools - Te Kura ō Waioweka, Te Kura ō Torere, Te Kura ō Omarumutu, Ashbrook, Ōpōtiki Primary, Waiotahi, Woodlands, St Josephs and Kura ki uta.
This years theme was "Rangatira mō āpōpō, Rangatira i tēnei rā! Leaders of tomorrow, leaders for today!"
With that we approached the week highlighting 3 key focus areas of mātauranga by nurturing our uri and acknowledging the Onamata - Past Inamata - Present
Anamata - Future
with a 1 hour history bus tour traveling from Te Ara ki Te Rawhiti through to Te Tarata.
We will continue to nurture our Rangatahi by providing pathways and opportunities that align with our youth and their needs through our HPR Youth Mentoring Service.