16/08/2025
WOW What a day! The inaugural Buller Youth Festival kicked off at the NBS Theatre with an energetic address from the Mana Mokopuna - Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, followed by the opening of the event by the down to earth Mayor Jamie Cleine, before Jake Bailey gave his story of strength and resilience, to a very attentive group of around 350 Rangatahi from around Te Tai o Poutini.
Then it was off to various workshops from changing a tyre, to learning make up tips for natural beauty, to learning about leadership, ecology and firearm safety and more!
Back to NBS for lunch provided by the AMAZING team at Rapid Relief before the incredible Jaydin Shingleton Music took to the stage to not only share his story but a couple of songs too. Lots of loud cheers and whoops and murmurs about what a legendary nice guy he is from the youth.
The off to more workshops before back to hearing from the Commissioner again about how important the youth voice is around the country and across the coast and some spot prizes given out from the always supportive Bank.
The says it takes a village and it certainly did! Sorry ahead of time if we’ve missed someone out but the list is so long of thank you’s!!!!
Sponsors and Supporters:
Buller Resilience Trust - without them taking a punt on us, the event just wouldn’t have happened
West Coast Community Trust - a long time supporter of Youth across the coast!
Mayors Taskforce for Jobs - Julie Moore - a great legacy for Buller
NBS Bank - Tracey Hawes - awesome community bank
EPIC Kawatiri Westport - always wanting to support the community!
Buller District Council - a strong supporter of Youth Voice for many years
Rapid Relief Team Westport - incredible bunch of hardworking crew in the community
Speakers:
Mayor Jamie Cleine
Jake Bailey
Jaydin Shingleton
Dr Claire Achmad
Schools, awesomely helpful teachers and youth:
Buller High School
Reefton Area School
Westport North High School
Ngati wae wae Rangatahi Committee
Youth Voice Kawatiri Council
Venues:
NBS Theatre
Buller Hydraulics
Pact Group
EPIC Kawatiri
Anglican Church
Buller REAP
RSA
Library
Kawatiri Museum
Masonic Lodge
Pulse Energy Recreation Centre
Band Hall
Workshop hosts:
Dr Clair Achmad and Nicolle Kniebe
Awhina Johnstone and Fern Alan
Taryn Swete
Kawatiri Coastal Trail Conservation Crew
Nadine Meyer
Reuben Lane
Shelley Taylor
Annabelle Gosset
Adam Hawes and Ben Ashworth from A&B Carpentry
Mary McGill
Debby Callaghan and Cullen Blanchfield
Phil Rossiter
Bruce Carey
Silas Carey from Coast Physio
Gina Mua
Laura Griffin from Gravity Dance
Rama Port from The Museum of Kawatiri and Kawatiri Pounamu Pathway Experience Centre
Barry Walker from Bathurst
Oliver Field from Westport Library
Plus all those that just pitched in during the day!
Pana Leontiadu from Homebuilders West Coast
Buller REAP crew
Toroa and Wendy and the Youth Voice Kawatiri crew
Alexis Kingi - our mic runner!
Rugby security!
Senior A netball clean up team
A massive shout out to Debbie Crackett and Simon Pritchard from NBS Theatre for EVERYTHING during a very busy day at the theatre.
HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL TO MC BRYAN FORSYTH (FOZZ) WHO KEPT THE DAY TOGETHER, GAVE HEARTFELT ADDRESSES AND IS JUST GENERALLY A BLIMMIN GOOD GUY!
What a list! The Te Reo a Te Taiohi Trust are so grateful for you all and look forward to working with you again in the future!!
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.
