‘We are more than you see’
A group of passionate community groups came together in Kaitaia over the weekend to celebrate Youth Week.
The theme, Kirsty Saxon said, was ‘We are more than you see,’ and crowds of young people well and truly owned that statement at the skate bowl and Jaycee Park.
The event was led by Blair Kapa-Peters, who was thrilled to be part of the day, and JD Kelly, Youth Navigators from Youth Innovations — Building Safer Communities.
“We really wanted to do something for Youth Week,” Blair said. “What I love about our community is all you have to do is ask and everyone comes together.”
Youth kaimahi, youth mentors and Shine on Kaitaia volunteers offered to manage parts of the event to ensure a funfilled day, at no expense to the young people taking part. Activities included skate and basketball competitions, a talent quest and a by young performers, while a free barbecue, smoothies, Milo, cookies, even haircuts and hair braiding, kept everyone well fed and busy.
“Loads of prizes” were provided by the Te Ahu Trust, the Youth Council, Bluelight, Te Rarawa and other generous sponsors,” Kirsty said, Youth Navigator and co-MC Karis Roberts adding “He mihi te¯nei kia koutou katoa i tautoko i te kaupapa o te po nei. Nei ra¯ te mihi mahana ki nga¯ tangata katoa.” (Big thank you to everyone who supported tonight’s kaupapa. This is my warm thanks to everyone.)
He Whanau Marama Trust trustee April Hetaraka said it was awesome for youth to see various youth services codesigning innovative events, working together and sharing skills and resources, for their benefit.
“It would be great to see this continue and grow even more so that all our Te Hiku youth can have the opportunity to celebrate their generation and connect with each other in a fun, positive and safe environment,” she said.
Follow the Shine on Kaitaia Facebook page to keep informed on what’s happening next. Three Mid North men, all known to each other, were widely regarded as lucky to have survived a crash on SH10 just north of Pakaraka shortly before noon on Wednesday, which is thought to have involved two drivers who decided to overtake a column of traffic ahead of them at precisely the same moment.
One of the drivers was flown to Whanga¯ rei Hospital by rescue helicopter. Initially described as in a critical condition, his injuries were later described as serious but not lifethreatening. The other driver was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital with minor injuries after firefighters used hydraulic lifting equipment to free him from beneath his vehicle.
One, which was towing a trailer, demolished a barrier on the right-hand side of the road, dropped into a culvert and flipped end-over-end, coming to rest upside down in a ditch. The other ended up on its side in a paddock about 100m further south.
A dog on the back of one of the utes was killed and another was missing.
Sergeant Phil Le Comte urged drivers to be aware at all times: “Always check in your mirrors what’s around you, in front of you and behind you. Especially when you’re vacating a lane, it’s paramount,” he said.
The police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.