Amazing turnout for Whangārei Youth Action Group's Youth Week 2025 Events

Where do you go with a great project idea for positive change in your community? For young people, finding a good cause to volunteer for can be a challenge - and finding support to get your own ideas for a better community off the ground can be even trickier. That's why the Whangārei Youth Action Group was created in late 2023.

With the guidance of Volunteering Northland, a number of enthusiastic Whangārei youth decided to take matters into their own hands and form a youth volunteer group - the goal was to provide a space for young community leaders and volunteers to kickstart positive change in our community.

Together, the group organises events and projects for young people like the Youth Creators Market and Puāwai Festival for Youth Week. Over the past year, the group ran Youth Volunteer Holiday Programmes with local organisations, trips to volunteer events like the Festival For The Future, working bees and beach clean ups, Amazing Youth Volunteer Races and more.

'We help our community where we can and always love to welcome new members. Bringing our ideas to life and seing our friends happy because of our work is extremely rewarding and important to me’ says Jodie Rameka, YAG Chairperson and one of our core members. ‘I love Whangārei and want to make the town a better, more welcoming place for all young people.’

The group's latest projects centered around Youth Week 2025 - the Youth Creators Market and The Amazing Youth Volunteer Race. Both were a huge success!

Almost 50 stallholders between 10 and 24 years old showcased their products at the Youth Creators Market in The Strand in Whangārei, and demonstrated that Whangārei's community is full of amazing young creators and artists with inventive ideas. In cooperation with The Strand Shopping Centre and NorthChamber, we ran the 'Goldfish Tank' (a youth-friendly version of Shark Tank), to help the young entrepeneurs gather feedback and ideas on how to grow their business. The young artists and business owners won a number of prizes - from business mentoring to branding support sessions. 'So much talent, so much hope for the future', commented enthused NorthChamber CEO and volunteer ‘judge’ Leah McKerrow, who judged pitches in the older youth category. 'There was some incredible entrepreneurial talent among our youth creators.'
We congratulate Gracie-Mae Leong with Gracie Mae Photography for her win of the main prize, as well as Waiora Poutai-Watts from Deluxe Bath Time and Anya Slykerman with Pīwaka Cards as runners up. The Stripey Caterpillar, Printed, Next Chapter Authentic Flavours, Liquid Surf Co and Leroy were awarded smaller prizes.
Four youth bands and solo artists - Pearl, Peo, Ivy & Toby, and Visual Soup - entertained the crowds and filled The Strand with beautiful music, while Whangārei's Mayor Vince Cocorullo enjoyed the vibrant vibe and the amazing diverse array of stalls. 'This is an awesome event. I see so many people from Whangārei, the Bay of Islands and further South, and it's really great to see all the creativity around. It shows that if you give the young people the opportunity to shine, they will use it.'
The young stallholders enjoyed what was for some their first market experience: 'I thought it was a great idea to have the market inside where there are already lots of people walking around. Thank you for your hard work! I loved it and I really hope you do these every year!' The more experienced stallholders echoed that sentiment: 'We are so looking forward to the next youth market, great connections were made and the vibe was great!'

NorthChamber Read-Up on the Market

The Amazing Youth Volunteer Race saw over 40 youth competing in teams to help 8 local non for profit organisations and projects ran micro-volunteering stations to give young volunteers a chance to help and learn more about their work! The Whangārei Youth Action Group sourced prizes for the fastest three groups, as well as a Best Dressed and Furthest Travel prizes for two lucky teams. The event was made possible with support from Ara Taiohi, Aotearoa's peak body of youth development and instigators of Youth Week.
'It was a fantastic afternoon of connection, purpose, and action, all thanks to everyone's efforts behind the scenes. Big congrats to the three winning teams! And thanks to all the young people who took part - we're so proud of you all', says Jodie. 'This event shows what's possible with youth-led change in Whangārei and gives back to the community.'

Joining the Whangārei Youth Action Group will give you the opportunity to organise and take part in events and programs you find meaningful. 'We are a big group of excited people, passionate about doing something positive', says Verena Pschorn, Volunteering Northland's Community Connections Coordinator and facilitator of the Whangārei Youth Action Group. 'We can support you with learning new skills and have fun while helping the community.'