Youth Week is set to bring a burst of energy, inspiration and opportunity to Ōpōtiki later this month, with Te Pou Oranga o Te Whakatōhea preparing a major two-day event focused on empowering local rangatahi and connecting them with future pathways.

Celebrated nationally each year, Youth Week is designed to recognise and celebrate the contribution young people make within their communities while creating opportunities for connection, learning and leadership.

Across Aotearoa, schools, organisations and youth providers use the week to encourage young people to explore their strengths, aspirations and place within the wider community.

In Ōpōtiki, Te Pou Oranga is taking that kaupapa a step further with a large-scale careers and engagement expo running across May 20 and 21, bringing together students, employers, training providers, health organisations and community groups in a youth-focused environment designed to both inspire and inform.

The first day of the event will be held at the Ōpōtiki College Hall and tailored toward college students, while the second day at the Senior Citizens Hall will cater primarily to year 7 and 8 students from schools throughout the district, alongside rangatahi involved in alternative education spaces.

Students attending will have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of organisations and industries, hearing directly from people working within different sectors and learning about the many pathways available to them both locally and beyond.

The expo environment has been intentionally designed to be interactive and youth-friendly rather than overly formal, with activities, games, food and creative spaces helping create a relaxed atmosphere where young people feel comfortable engaging.

Alongside career information and training opportunities, rangatahi will also be able to enjoy free sausage sizzles, smoothies, screen-printing activities, coffee carts, free haircuts, spot prizes and interactive displays across both days.

A Youth Week photo booth and collaborative art wall will also allow young people to share their ideas, aspirations and voices, helping organisers gather feedback and better understand what opportunities local rangatahi want to see in the future.

The event also carries an important health message, with Te Pou Oranga’s Rheumatic Fever team heavily involved throughout both days. As students move through the expo spaces they will receive information packs and resources helping raise awareness around rheumatic fever prevention and general youth wellbeing, recognising that positive futures are built not only through employment and education, but also through strong health, identity and wellbeing.

Organisers are expecting strong attendance from schools throughout the district, with students from Ōpōtiki Primary, St Joseph’s, Ashbrook, Woodlands, Kutarere, Waioweka, Waiotahe, Tōrere and Omarumutu all set to take part across the two days, alongside students from Te Tōtara Alternative Education and the Youth 2 Employment Hub.

A number of local businesses, organisations and service providers are also expected to attend, helping expose rangatahi to a broad range of industries and opportunities available both within the Eastern Bay and further afield.

Large prize giveaways across the event, including gym memberships, sports vouchers, electronics and other prizes, are also expected to add to the excitement and encourage participation.

Co-organiser Nikeal Williams hopes this year’s event will uplift and empower rangatahi.

“This year’s Youth Week theme is ‘Our Voices Matter! We Deserve to Be Heard’. The first part of our event is the T-shirt Design Competition, where we capture the voices of our rangatahi through their creativity, artwork, and personal expression,” Ms Williams said.

“This gives our youth an opportunity to share what matters most to them and showcase their talents.

“The second part is our Career Expo, held at the college for secondary school students. This provides students with the chance to connect with local businesses, training providers, and organisations to explore future career and education pathways.

“The final part of our event is our Career Day for year 7 and 8 students, as well as students involved in alternative education.

“We want our younger rangatahi to begin thinking about their futures early and to be exposed to the many opportunities available to them.

“The vision behind this event is to provide our rangatahi with opportunities to explore educational and career pathways, connect with local career opportunities, and ultimately help set themselves up for a successful future.

“We want our youth to dream big, believe in themselves, and know that there are endless possibilities ahead of them.

“We hope that throughout these events our youth feel inspired, motivated, and encouraged to seriously think about their futures and the goals they want to achieve.

“Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and Youth Week is about celebrating their voices, their potential, and the positive impact they will have on our communities in the future,” Ms Williams said.