Te Reo a Te Taiohi

Te Reo a Te Taiohi We provide governance to support them, while they share their ideas, thoughts and visions.

We are a charitable trust formed by a group of like-minded people, that believe taiohi (youth) are key to a positive future and need to have their voices heard.

The Buller Youth Festival opened at the NBS Theatre with the best MC on the West Fozz Forsyth, then the Buller High Kapa...
13/08/2026

The Buller Youth Festival opened at the NBS Theatre with the best MC on the West Fozz Forsyth, then the Buller High Kapa Haka blew the roof off the auditorium with a powerful performance, followed by an energetic and informative address from the Deputy Mayor Shayne Barry.
Then Louisdavis took the stage and told his humble story and entertained a very attentive and questioning group of around 350 Rangatahi from around Te Tai o Poutini before patiently posing for a gazillion photos! The takeaway - ‘Be as delusionally aspirational as you can for as long as you can’
Then it was off to various workshops from changing a tyre, to learning make up tips for natural beauty, to learning about leadership, ecology, golf and more!
Back to NBS for lunch provided by the AMAZING team at Rapid Relief Team NZ and entertainment by the coolest youth band around from Buller Hiogh School! Then more workshops and finishing up with the incredible Guy Ryan who talked about his Buller beginnings and said 'You can be ordinary and still do great things'.

It once again took a village and the list is so long of thank you’s!!!! Support these businesses and people when you can as they are supporting our youth!

Sponsors and Supporters:
- supporting youth resilience and pride in the region!
West Coast Community Trust - a long time supporter of Youth across the coast!
COGs - ensured we could bring only the best speakers to our little town!
- always supporting the local community!
EPIC Kawatiri Westport - always wanting to support the community!
Buller District Council - the classiest facilities for this event!
Rapid Relief Team NZ Westport - incredible bunch of hardworking crew in the community

Speakers:
Deputy Mayor Shayne Barry
Louis Davis
Guy Ryan

Schools, awesomely helpful teachers and youth:
Buller High School




Youth Voice Kawatiri Council

Venues:
NBS Theatre
Buller Hydraulics
Pact Group
EPIC Kawatiri
Anglican Church
Buller REAP
RSA
Library
Kawatiri Museum
Masonic Lodge
Band Hall
Salvation Army Hall
Phelan Hall

Workshop hosts:
Debbie Hartigan
Awhina Johnstone and Fern Alan
Taryn Swete
Kawatiri Coastal Trail Conservation Crew
Ruth Vaega
Annah Schepers
Jim McIllrath
Adam Hawes and Ben Ashworth from A&B Carpentry
Mary McGill
Olivia Armstrong from
Leadership crew
Joe Evans
Silas Carey from
Whata and John from Boxing
Laura Griffin from
Hilary Hyde from Bathurst
Carine Wallace from Carine Beauty Therapy
Emma Hart
Emma Roger and the team at
James Cameron from Coast Outdoors

Plus all those that just pitched in during the day!
Spencer, Ace and the Youth Voice Kawatiri crew
Georgia, Sienna and the student council
Spencer Keoghan and Briana Thornton for the photography! And Spencer with about 10 other hats too!

And thank you to Shaz from Westport News and Ava from Coast FM for interviewing Louis!

A massive shout out to Oliver Field and legend IT expert Kelly Syron and the crew from NBS Theatre for EVERYTHING during a very busy day at the theatre.

A SECOND MENTION ABOUT MC BRYAN FORSYTH (FOZZ) WHO KEPT THE DAY TOGETHER, AGAIN!!

Samara Taylor - the event coordinator - what a legend - taking on a huge day of organising and working with us trustees takes patience and skill and she has these in abundance!!!

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!!

Schedule for tomorrow! We are really hoping for a nice day but as we all know the weather can change in an instant, plea...
11/08/2026

Schedule for tomorrow!
We are really hoping for a nice day but as we all know the weather can change in an instant, please bring a rain jacket in your bag.
This is a school uniform event! However…
If you have chosen: GOLF, BUILDING, INTRO TO THE GYM, MECHANICS, BOXING, DANCE OR PILATES please bring an easy change of clothes if you wish to be more comfortable in your workshop. You can change into these clothes at 10:55am or at lunchtime before that specific workshop starts in a timely manner or once you have arrived at your workshop. You will need to change back into your uniforms before the second speaker of the
day or if your other workshop does not require a change of clothes.
Please familiarise yourself with what workshop you are in and what time you are going to be there. They will be displayed in the foyer of the NBS Theatre. There will be teachers/supervisors walking groups of students to their workshops, this will be called out by the “MC” (Bryan Forsyth) before the workshop starts. So if you are unsure where you are going please listen to what teacher is walking to your destination. If your name is not on a workshop list, or if you are wanting to change stay at the theatre and we will assign you to a workshop with available space.
Looking forward to an exciting day!!!
Buller High School

Only a week left until this awesome event!! Can't wait to hear from the incredible speakers and see the taiohi in action...
04/08/2026

Only a week left until this awesome event!! Can't wait to hear from the incredible speakers and see the taiohi in action at the workshops! It's not too late - if you are of High School age across the whole West Coast you are welcome! Talk to your school or email [email protected] to book a spot. You don't want to miss this!!!

This incredible opportunity thanks to...
Resilience Trust
West Coast Community Trust


EPIC Kawatiri Westport
Buller District Council
Buller High School
Youth Voice Kawatiri Council

Workshop options for festival have been finalised!Buller High School students - first sign up day tomorrow at lunchtime ...
15/06/2026

Workshop options for festival have been finalised!
Buller High School students - first sign up day tomorrow at lunchtime at the umbrella tables near the netball courts. Then on the 18th, 23rd and 25th - first in first served!

Any other youth interested, talk to your school or email [email protected]

Check out all these awesome people hosting the workshops giving their time to our taiohi! Please support them however you can!

Buller Youth Festival 2026 thanks to
Resilience Trust
West Coast Community Trust

EPIC Kawatiri Westport
Buller District Council
Youth Voice Kawatiri Council

SUPER EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE HEADLINE SPEAKERS FOR THIS YEARS BULLER YOUTH FESTIVAL!! 😍Louisdavis and Guy Ryan! 🤩🤩🤩Look...
08/06/2026

SUPER EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE HEADLINE SPEAKERS FOR THIS YEARS BULLER YOUTH FESTIVAL!! 😍
Louisdavis and Guy Ryan! 🤩🤩🤩
Looking forward to hearing them speak to around 400 youth from along the coast. If you are a high school aged taiohi on the coast and want to come, talk to your school or email [email protected] for more info.
It all wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of
Buller Resilience Trust
West Coast Community Trust
Electro Service Limited
Buller High School
EPIC Kawatiri Westport
Youth Voice Kawatiri Council
Buller District Council

and all the incredible workshops hosts, venues and awesome people out there making it happen.

Workshop lists currently being finalised and will be out soon! 🥳

05/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE
12th AUGUST 2026
Buller Youth Festival
🥳🎉😍❤️

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Westport

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