The Bluff Rangatahi Zone, a free youth festival held for three days in Bluff during the school holidays, is returning for its second year. The festival is a tribute to the four local teenagers who were tragically killed in a car accident last year.
The Tuurama Trust is hosting the free three-day festival across multiple venues in Bluff from Tuesday, September 26 to Thursday, September 28. With over 70 organisations involved and an army of over 100 people ready to help with this year’s event, the Rangatahi Zone is sure to be a hit with Southland Rangatahi aged 10-18.
Sumaria Beaton, Project Lead from Awarua Synergy, thanked the many funders of the Rangatahi Zone, including the Tuurama Trust, Invercargill City Council, Well South, One NZ, South Port NZ, Sanford Salmon Fund, Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu, Te Puni Kokiri, Mataura Licensing Trust, and Community Trust of Southland. She also expressed her pride in being a sponsor of the event again and expressed the importance of supporting Rangatahi (youth), who are our future.
Rangatahi will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun-packed free activities, arts and crafts, traditional Maori activities, relaxation techniques that are good for the soul, action-packed sports, and an opportunity to learn about the bush and technology.
Kai Zone: Sponsored by Te Rau Aroha Marae, the Kai Zone will offer a variety of food options, including steak on the BBQ sponsored by SPM, funky flavored popping popcorn, handcrafted wontons, Italian pizza, and indulgent waffles. Food trucks will also be on-site selling to the public.
Mahi Toi Zone: Sponsored by Miharo, offering a range of arts and craft activities, including traditional photo portraits, vinyl etching, jewelry making, marakau demonstrations, and screen printing.
Te Ao Maori Zone: Sponsored by Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu, offering poi making, kite making, and weaving activities.
Wairua Zone: Sponsored by Shine the Light in the Dark Places and Whanau Consultancy Services, the Wairua Zone will offer relaxing activities for the soul.
Action & Sports Zone: Sponsored by Awarua Whanau Services, offering axe throwing, action-packed activities like disc golf, boxing, and circuit training.
Taiao Zone: Sponsored by Te Tapu o Tane, the Taiao Zone will encourage Rangatahi to learn about the bush.
Technology Zone: Sponsored by Waihopai Runaka Hauora Services, offering live gaming, DJ mixing, tech demonstrations, and an opportunity to explore old heat pumps.
Beauty and Career Zone: Sponsored by Hokonui Runaka Health Services, offering nail painting, haircuts, and a Dream Catcher activity where Rangatahi can write down a business idea and potentially receive up to a $10k seed investment.
Free buses to and from the event will run each day from as far away as Winton and Gore, but it’s important to register for bus tickets.
“If your kids liked ILT KidZone, and now aged 10-18 they will love this,” says Jay Coote, Tuurama Trust.
The Rangatahi Zone is a great opportunity for Southland Rangatahi to come together, have fun, and learn new things. With so much to see and do, there is something for everyone at the Rangatahi Zone.