Finalists for Far North's Got Talent named

Far North's Got Talent judges Leonie Adams and Esera Saulo with FNGT support crew and youth navigators from Arotahi AIA and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, preparing for the final explosion of talent on August 26.

After 49 auditions, four close heats and more than 2000 public votes, the 16 finalists for the Far North's Got Talent 2017 titles have been named.

They are:
Junior (Years 1-8) - McKenzie Boynton (Kaitaia Intermediate School), Kapowairua Waitai (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa), Blake Bennett (Kerikeri School), Kees Cherrington (Paparore School), Dance Wild Juniors (various Far North primary schools), Jahrelle Thomas (Waiharara Primary School), and Te Koha Shortland (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro).

Senior (Years 9-13) - Te Aroha Pawa (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro), Bowen Boyka and Manawa McLeod (Taipa Area School), Tihema Riwai (Kerikeri High School), Te Hauroamairangi Tawhara-Crown (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro), HKA (Broadwood Area School), Totara-Rimu Semenoff and Saphyre Florian (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa and Kaitaia College), Hush Dance Group (various Far North schools), Anika Wineera (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga), and Crete Riiwhi-Tupe (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Tonga o Hokianga).

Co-ordinator and He Whanau Marama Charitable Trust co-founder Micah Tawhara said this year's showcase had far exceeded last year's inaugural success, attracting more than 100,000 hits from as far afield as Europe on Facebook.

"Thousands of people supporting the contestants and bringing communities together in a positive way has been significant this year. Whanau around the world are following the event, celebrating the awesome talent of nieces, nephews and mokos they may not have seen since they were babies," she said.

Open to all Far North youth aged from five to 18 years, the contest began with heats at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, Te Kao School, Mangonui and Broadwood Area School. Micah said two extra finalists were named in the senior category when choosing just seven proved too difficult.

"Our kids are our shining stars, forever illuminating bright even in times of darkness," she said.

"Our community needs to invest in youth creatives. They are our navigators, our kuaka of Muriwhenua, and we want to provide them with opportunities to shine on forever."

The kaupapa was a continuation of last year's event, launched during a controversial time in Kaitaia's social history, when negative publicity was having a devastating impact on the town's morale.

"The event last year brought love and positive energy to the community and all our kids, like a korowai of music, laughter and food," she said.

"We started to heal ourselves, and since then we've been trying to keep things hyped and lively. A year has passed, and the energy now is high and vibrant. Kids are raring to go with nothing in the way."

The finals are at Te Ahu Centre on Saturday August 26.