Latest news with #MtAspiringCollege
Otago Daily Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Youth involvement increased in honour of Māori Queen
A cosy bonfire set up by the Kahu Youth Team for Matariki. PHOTOS: RAWAN SAADI Young rangatahi were the stars of this year's annual Wānaka Matariki celebration, as hundreds of locals gathered to enjoy the festivities. For the 16th year in a row, Kahu Youth delivered a successful Matariki celebration across Wānaka's lakefront, complete with seven kapa haka groups, a hangi and a beachfront bonfire. The day started at 2pm with performances, while a team from the Mt Aspiring College (MAC) cultural committee helped prepare the hangi at the Wānaka Dinosaur Playground. Local Paul Tamati, who was heavily involved with the organising the hangi, said that year they had involved more young people to honour the Māori Queen, Kuini Nga Wai Hono i te Po. "These are our young people of today coming forward to learn hangi," Mr Tamati said. " ... We see it as a representation of who their new Māori queen represents." The Mt Aspiring College cultural committee (from left) Jacob Fielding, Joseph Combe, Ethan Prince, Isaiah Chin-Nyika, Lucas Parry and Eli McArthur. Joe Miller and Axel MacDougall help prepare the hangi. He added that the Māori Queen had made it clear in her maiden speech that she would represent rangatahi, and Matariki was a perfect opportunity for the Wānaka community to contribute to that sentiment. The hangi was certainly a crowd favourite, as dozens of people lined up to purchase a plate after the group of MAC students helped to prepare the food. The day was also filled with performances from locals of all ages, including the Hāwea Kindergarten, Wānaka Primary School and the community waiata group, Matariki Tupu Hou. Weaving workshops, face painting and a beachfront bonfire also brought people together and were made possible by rangatahi volunteers from Kahu Youth, further involving the town's young people. Kahu Youth youth worker Imogen Smith spoke passionately about the importance of being able to have a big event that showcased Māori heritage for the local community. Community group Matariki Tupu Hou performs a haka. Having grown up in Christchurch, she felt Māori culture in a city could often be more accessible to young people as there were larger populations and therefore more Māori communities, in comparison to small towns where the same heritage could be more sparse. "This event is really important to bring te ao Māori to a small community and creating that accessibility for rangatahi and the community in general," she said. Local kamatua and chairman of the Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust Darren Rewi had come from Queenstown to celebrate with the community and expressed how the performances by young kapa haka groups made the event more special. "The children doing kapa haka always brings people in and it's a relaxing way to celebrate the Māori new year," he said. As the sun set and the star constellations began to appear in the sky, the event's busy activities ended with the community coming together to sing a group waiata.
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Doors Open On The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival This Friday
The countdown is on! This Friday, 20 June, the 23rd NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival kicks off in Wānaka, welcoming audiences to an exhilarating programme of award-winning films, world-class speakers, and remarkable adventures that will leave a lasting impact. The festival runs for five days in Wānaka (20–24 June) and two days in Queenstown (26–27 June), providing an opportunity to experience the best of outdoor storytelling on the big screen. As well as enjoying great films, the festival is all about inspiring people to make their own adventures – big or small. For those who can't make it to Wānaka or Queenstown, or who simply prefer to experience adventure in their own time and from the comfort of their own couch, the Online Festival runs from 1–31 July. Festival Director Whitney Oliver hopes audiences will embrace both experiences. 'There's nothing quite like reconnecting with fellow adventure-lovers and sharing those edge-of-your-seat moments,' says Oliver. She continues: 'The atmosphere throughout the festival just buzzes, and the stoke is infectious. But for those who can't travel or take part in Wānaka or Queenstown, the Online Festival is the perfect way to avoid the FOMO and fill your adventure cup.' While the Online Festival features all 64 exceptional films, the 11 speakers will present exclusively at the in-person event, providing audiences with rare insights into their experiences. This year's speaker lineup is packed with bold voices and unforgettable stories. Headlining is legendary climber Beth Rodden (USA), whose pioneering ascents on El Capitan and remarkable survival of a hostage ordeal in Kyrgyzstan have cemented her place in climbing history. Her recent memoir, A Light Through the Cracks, has captivated audiences worldwide, and festivalgoers in Wānaka and Queenstown will have the opportunity to hear her speak in person. Joining her are Kiwi adventurers Sam Smoothy and Nick Pascoe. Smoothy—freeride skiing legend turned ski mountaineer and filmmaker—will present his ambitious project XXIV, documenting his attempt to climb and ski all 24 of New Zealand's 3000m peaks. Expect raw honesty, tough terrain, and plenty of backcountry grit. Pascoe will share stories from his 2023 mission traversing from Mt Aspiring to the Tasman Sea—bush bashing through dense terrain with skis, boots, and a packraft in tow, before navigating glaciers and wild alpine rivers. Rodden will also speak at a special free session for local high school students—part of the NZMFF Charitable Trust's long-standing effort to inspire the next generation of adventurers. This year, 180 students from Mt Aspiring College and 105 from Cromwell College, along with 20 local home schoolers will attend, with travel supported by the Trust. Families are also welcome at free one-hour film screenings in Wānaka and Lake Hāwea—an ideal introduction to the world of adventure storytelling. The festival champions both adventure and environmental responsibility, encouraging attendees to support sustainability efforts. Audiences are urged to reduce waste, carpool, bike, or walk to venues, and bring a reusable cup for complimentary tea and coffee. Additionally, visitors can contribute to the 'buy a tree' initiative at the festival café, supporting local reforestation efforts through Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust. Digital tickets are encouraged to minimise paper waste. The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival promises an inspiring and unforgettable experience, celebrating exploration, storytelling, and the spirit of adventure. Further information:
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Weekend workshop fosters musical talent
More than 100 students from throughout New Zealand came together at the weekend to learn the ins and outs of the music industry. The Youth and Adults in the Music Industry (YAMI) SouNZ Summit celebrated its 10th year with workshops and concerts held over two days across several venues in Wānaka. The summit was started a decade ago by Lynne Christie, former head of music at Mt Aspiring College, to help young people understand the music industry. Her vision was to create a space where young, aspiring musicians could learn technical skills while also getting practical insights on how to navigate the industry. Over the past two days, students accompanied by their music teachers took part in workshops taught by specialists in various facets of the industry including song writing, lighting technology and managing money. Event manager Celine Van der Eecken said the event offered students a deeper dive into aspects of the music industry which may not be covered in schools. "There's the workshops that are related to the music industry, about how to be in the music industry, and how to operate in the music industry. "That is less touched on in the schools," she said. This year's summit hosted between 120 and 130 students, from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and other parts of the country. The weekend started with song writing and singing workshops taught by experienced New Zealand musicians including Gin Wigmore and Lily Shaw. Throughout the day students also learnt more about beat-making, choir singing and how to put together an album. Production manager and Mt Aspiring College head of music Matt Doyle said the summit continued to adapt to changes in the music industry. When it first began, some of the summit's workshops focused more heavily on how to put an album together, however, tutors now also focused on creating playlists for online platforms such as Spotify. Overall, the summit's purpose of giving students an extra edge into the industry remained intact. "I think it's come a long way," Ms Van der Eecken said. "But the core has always been the same ... helping people who are interested in the music industry get into the music industry." Each day ended with a concert in which students and musicians performed, showcasing the results of the weekend.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
The speech competition aiming to improve race relations
Students at the Otago regional Race Unity Speech competition. Photo: Supplied The Race Unity Speech Awards are on this weekend in Auckland. They're a platform for senior high school students from around the motu to express their ideas on how to improve race relations in Aotearoa. The competition is now in its 25th year and the theme this year is "Ocean of Diversity". Its creator Bev Watson and one of the competitors Tanyn Wood from Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka speak to Mihi.
