Homai Te Paki Paki

Temuka residents were entertained by a number of talented young people in the first Auhai Kore/ Alcohol free Homai Te Paki Paki event held on 18 August.

A crowd of 50 young people/ parents and staff at Opihi College heard a range of young people sing, and were later supported by whanau members utilising the mike.  The event was run to show young people that they can have a great night without having to use alcohol.

The level of talent set up the judges for a tough night and it also gave some young people a chance to showcase their own work.  Temuka has some budding songwriters amongst their residents.

The event was supported by Temuka Community Care Trust, He Oranga Pai and WAVE. Due to the positive feedback this time round, it is looking like it may be an annual event.  Although the event is held in Temuka, it is open to all South Canterbury young people.

Youth Week Art Exhibition

 Amazing is the only way to describe the talent in the first ever Youth Week Art Exhibition & Competition. WAVE and the Timaru District Council youth workers joined forces with youth and local artists to develop a new and exciting opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively.

 A series of workshops including painting, sculpture, street art, paint fight, photography and movie making were held in the weeks leading up to the exhibition. This gave young people no longer in school a chance to gain some creative advice and support as well as the equipment to "give it a go," and the results were impressive.

VOICE (vision, opinion, identity, creative expression) was the theme for the exhibition, which ran for a week at the South Canterbury Club and culminated in an awards night attended by about 200 people. Some of the work was for sale, with several young artists excited to make their first sale.

 We thank the many local businesses and artists who supported this venture, giving their time or donating our major awards and prizes. It was a whole community effort, and the smiles of pride and satisfaction on the faces of our young exhibitors made it so worthwhile.

The category winners were:

•·TDC 2D Award - Ricky Arras (pictured right with Anthony Fowler and youthworkers Kirsty & Josh)

•·Spurr Motors 3D Award - Naomi Faifai

•·The Handle & Art Supplies Shop Electronic Media Award - Asyguiel Celik

•·WAVE People's Choice Award - Anthony Fowler (see top picture)

Aoraki Polytechnic Orientation Day

 Members of the WAVE team raised the profile of oral health, sexual health and alcohol awareness at this year's Aoraki Polytechnic Orientation Day on 15 February. We were supported by a team of students from South Canterbury Community College, who ran activities including condom licencing and activities with intoxication simulation goggles.