Youth suicide message centre stage

Raid Movement members Eru Kapa-Kingi (left), Tipene Kapa-Kingi, Heemi Kapa-Kingi, Mikaera Brown and Rebecca Hooker (front) will be running the Ngati Hine Life over Everything stage at this year's Waitangi celebrations. Photo / Mikaela Collins

A youth group promoting the importance of life will be bringing its message, Life over Everything, to this week's Waitangi Day Festival.

The Raid Movement, set up in 2012 by a group of youth who wanted to tackle the issue of youth suicide, will be co-ordinating the Ngati Hine "Life over Everything" Youth Stage at the 175th Waitangi Day celebrations on Friday - Waitangi Day.

"Raid's a youth suicide awareness group, trying to promote the positivity of life rather than the negativity of youth suicide," said member Eru Kapa-Kingi.

In Northland, there were 21 suspected suicides in 2013 and five were under the age of 25.

The group is under the umbrella of the Ngati Hine Health Trust, who also helped to organise the stage which will host a full programme of entertainment, competitions and promotions.

"We have a store for us to sell products and relay the message of the Raid Movement and what they do," said Eru.

The group said Waitangi Day was an ideal place to promote "life awareness", especially with the numbers expected at this year's 175th anniversary.

It's the third time the group has had the popular stage at Waitangi Day.

"There's a lot of people who come to the stage, our acts bring people and then we utilise our MCs to promote our message," said member Mikaera Brown.

The group said Waitangi Day was a special day for them, particularly this year's anniversary.

"It's a special day for everyone, it signifies the history of New Zealand," said Mikaera.

-The youth stage will run from 9am to 3pm on Friday with performances from the Junior Legion Dance Crew, Iziah Liliano, Te Pu Ao Kapa Haka and FAT 32. Other key messages include Atuatanga (spiritual connection) and Auahi Kore Aotearoa 2025 (Smoke Free New Zealand).