Rangatahi take universities to marae

Former Waikato and Bay of Plenty Magic player Erana Mikaere will be one of the guest speakers at the Te Arawa Rangatahi Tertiary Day.

The day is being run by rangatahi [young people] for rangatahi. Te Arawa Tangata are co-ordinating the event in conjunction with Te Arawa Fisheries and Te Arawa Lakes Trust so all of Te Arawa rangatahi are reached.

This initiative was suggested by rangatahi at the recent Te Arawa Rangatahi Hononga held in July. Rangatahi suggested taking the universities to marae, an iwi environment that is familiar.

Te Arawa Tangata development officer Christina Diamond who is helping organise the event said the goal was to inspire rangatahi to consider tertiary education as their next stepping stone.

"We decided to hold it around this time of year as it is the school holidays and it will be a time when young people start thinking about university and what their choices are." she said.

"Not necessarily to sign up now, but to ask questions about what options are available. It will be a day full of fun activities and educated role models for rangatahi to make connections with and provide advice about tertiary education.

A range of familiar Te Arawa names will be guest speakers including former Waikato and Bay of Plenty Magic player Erana Mikaere. The MC for the event will be Te Arawa FM's Manawa Wright. "It's good that we have these people involved as rangatahi like to talk to other young people and we really wanted to have a youthful flavour to the event."

Throughout the day there will also be activities held which included a cross-fit challenge, beat box competition and a iPad maths challenge.

Ms Diamond said the event was also to keep promoting the marae as a vibrant place for young people to go to.

The Te Arawa Tertiary Rangatahi Day will be held at Apumoana Marae on October 1 from 9am to 2pm.

For more information on the event check out their Facebook page Te Arawa Rangatahi.

Te Arawa Tertiary Day Programme:

8am: Set up booths
9am: Karakia
10am: Speaker, Erena Mikaere/ iPad maths challenge
11am: Speaker, Fallyn Flavell/ Cross Fit challenge
12pm: Speaker, Te Miri Rangi/ Traditional Maori sports/ Beat boxing competition
1pm: Speaker, Ranginui Thomas/ Toi Maori competition
2pm: Melissa Ruru (tbc)/ Breakthrew Dance Crew
3pm: closing karakiaA fun day has been planned to try and encourage Te Arawa to take part in tertiary education.