Youth Week offers something for everyone

Sports, poetry, workshops and barbeques are all part of this year’s Youth Week events.

Youth Week 2016 runs from 21 to 29 May, and this year’s theme is “Giving Back is giving forward - Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu”. All of the events in Youth Week are organised as a part of a nationwide celebration of local young people.

Several youth organisations throughout the city are arranging events that offer a little bit of everything with the support of Hamilton City Council’s Community Advisors team.

Community Advisor Mareta Ford says the events throughout the week celebrate the talent, success and passions of young people in Hamilton.

“The events organised by Te Ahurei a Rangatahi, YWCA, Western Community Centre, Whaimarama Youth Connex, Ethnic Youth Advisory Group and Waikato Queer Youth show young people that giving back is giving forward,” Ms Ford says.

“While reflecting Hamilton’s diverse youth and fostering the talents they have, the events also encourage them to get involved in the community,” she says.


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

Ms Ford says positive partnerships between youth support agencies in the city continue to grow, and Youth Week is evidence of that. Hamilton’s youth organisations connect through Htwn Youth Connect meetings, to discuss the youth sector.

The events and activities are:

Uplift Tour 2016
Te Ahurei a Rangatahi
23 – 27 May
Join a DJ, MC and eight poets in creative spoken work poetry workshops and a live spoken work poetry showcase.
Contact Harmz de Thierry 07 838 3013, hamiorad@teahurei.co.nz, https://www.facebook.com/UpliftPoets/

Money Savvy Workshop
YWCA
Wednesday 25 May
3:45-5:45pm
This information session is an opportunity for young people to learn about managing their money.
Contact Jaime Macfie 07 838 2219 

Nawton Night Skate - Youth Week 2016
Western Community Centre
46 Hyde Ave - Elliott Park
6.30-10.30pm
Come down and spend a night with friends while enjoying a free BBQ and some skating.

Contact Nathan Morgan 0211 481 206 or email nathan.morgan@wccham.org.nz

Battle of the PTE’s
Whai Marama Youth Connex
Thursday 26 May
9.30am-2.30pm
Te Rapa Sports Drome
Ashurst Park
Head on down for a night of sports, food, prizes and fun.

To register contact Marama Kuru marama@terunaga.org.nz

Jiu Jitsu
Waikato Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Saturday 29 May
Midday
29 Gilchrist St

The Ethnic Youth Advisory Group are hosting a Jiu Jitsu activity including a self-defence demonstration.