Solace at sundown

Young people joined together on Saturday to walk beside the Manawatū River to Ahimate Reserve, raising hope and suicide awareness. Warwick Smith captured the unity.

Songs were sung, marshmallows roasted, and life’s problems were lightened to ash in a bonfire.

Through music and conversation, young people in Palmerston North took the heavy duty of suicide awareness into their own hands at sundown on Saturday.

They gathered at Ahimate Reserve, beside the Manawatū River for Purea I Te Ahi, a suicide awareness event led by youth group Co-lab.

Purea I Te Ahi featured young people performing on stage. The talent ranged from jazz covers of American rockers The White Stripes to conscious rap, and kapa haka from Te Ahi Kaea.

There were also fires for roasting marshmallows and Pineapple Lumps, a large bonfire and food trucks.

People were invited to write down the things that were weighing them down mentally, then release the pieces of paper to the flames.

Co-lab was founded two years ago by people who went to the city’s Youth Space. Team member Tara Black said the group was about young people getting together, figuring out what they wanted to do in their city, then delivering it.

‘‘It was about how we could get more young people involved, who want to do things, instead of just showing up for things.’’

An open mic night run at Youth Space in 2018, where people performed uplifting songs and poetry, was upscaled for Purea I Te Ahi, Black said.

The event had a ‘‘wellbeing tent’’ staffed by Youthline for people who wanted someone to talk to about issues in their lives. ‘‘Rather than having stalls and handing out pamphlets, people can get straight to talking to a person in a positive environment.’’

Co-lab also worked with Hope Walk, a suicide awareness group, with an aim to break the silence on suicide.

Manawatū Hope Walk organiser Katina Hughes said collaboration was the best way to tackle the issue.

WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Te Ahi Kaea, the young voice of Rangita¯ ne, sing as the sun creeps down at Purea I Te Ahi, a youth-led suicide awareness event on Saturday.

CHARLIE HIGGISON Jaired Pang gets a free hug from Hope Walk organiser Katina Hughes.

Participants on the Hope Walk make their way to Purea I Te Ahi.

The lights come on at Purea I Te Ahi as the sun sets. Hinemanea Whaiapu, 1, checks out the groove while Te Ahi Kaea rehearse.

Jess Hargreaves on stage.

Shae Pewhata toasting marshmallows.

The harmonies of Te Ahi Kaea take hold.

An impromptu hip hop performance from Ezra Gilbert, left, and Santos Harris.