TROTAK take Waitangi Day event to skate park

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A Waitangi Day event focused on rangatahi has been organised by Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa (TROTAK).

The event at Alfred Cox Skate Park will be a chance to chill out and enjoy time with whānau, TROTAK co-director for iwi, Athena Emmerson-Kapa, said.

“TROTAK has a three-year plan with our E Tu Whānau Pou which aims to create positive space for rangatahi to strengthen them with knowledge, skill and opportunity.”

Themes for this year and next are “Be the difference, then make a difference” and in 2025 it will be “Practise and embed the difference”.

Tyna Keelan from East Coast Music Ltd and Supreme Brother Sound have organised the sounds to be enjoyed from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Local performers Raiha Moetara, DJ WikidFX, Samantha Booth, Keira Koogan, JJ and the Crew, along with a special guest, will take centre stage.

Local youth groups have created activities to win prizes.

“We wanted to utilise other spaces around Tūranga as we have staged huge free music events in Lowe St, Gladstone Road, Awapuni Stadium and the Rose Gardens,” Athena said.

“This year we decided to go to a space where rangatahi hang out and the skate park is a space where a lot go on the weekends and after school.

“Te Ora Hou chief executive Trudy Lewis said this space is busy with our rangatahi, and they also lease a building on the property which we could utilise.

“We have also met with Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust to discuss what TROTAK have done in the past and that we include all whānau of Tūranga.

“There is no discrimination against any group, race, religion or relationship orientation — we are just about whānau.”

Athena said Waitangi Day was a chance to reflect on what has happened over recent years — things such as Tuia 250, Covid-19 lockdowns, the housing crisis, state of emergencies and now a new Prime Minister.

“Moving forward, we need to create local, positive spaces to encourage our people to take resilience to the next level and be prepared for changes.

“Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters over the years — Trust Tairāwhiti, Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, E Tu Whānau, East Coast Music, Barnardos, TRUTH, Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, Whānau Ora Youth Team, Te Ora Hou, Te Mauri Pono Trust, Cancer Society and Te Wānanga O Aotearoa and local groups — who have made this all come together.