Graffiti prompts youth chin-wag

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 591, 20 June 1995, Page 6

Graffiti prompts youth chin-wag

Bulletin reporter Amiria Teki looks into youth activities, bad and good, in raetihi Once again street-wise graffiti kids have been scratching their unwanted scrawls on pub lic buildings in Raetihi. Both Telecom and the Bank of New Zealand have been targeted — both buildings having recently been repainted. "It is a pity this is happening again," said one resident, "when at a time when some of our to wn' s youth are turning their interest to more positive activities." Activities such as the Iwi Waiata group which was founded in 1987 by Carl and Denise Perkins and first run from the Raetihi Marae. Calling into the centre, I decided to spend a little time with the group to find out just where they were at and about some of the activities being run by the group. The Perkins' and other parents have decided that the group ought to be run by the young people, for the young

people, with the parents there to offer advice, guidance and to pass on knowledge and skills in the various activities the group wants to get involved in. These activities include te reo Maori — language learning time which includes Maori cultural performance. Regular sporting activities include indoor basketball every Friday night at Ohakune. A trip away to the Waiouru Military Museum was run in the holidays. At Queen's Birthday Weekend the group went to the Ratana Marae where they took part in a nationwide Rangatahi (youth) hui under the name Te Iwi Waiata Youth Movement which has been run at Ratana for many years now. For many it was a first-time experience. The response from the

group was positive when asked what they got out of the hui. Meeting people from other parts of New Zealand; getting involved in sports activities and the musical side seemed to interest them the most. There was an opportunity for spiritual input and workshops which gave the kids a chance to express their thoughts on the hui — where they were going as young people. And time was spent in confidence building. Since their return the group is registered with the movement and they are now known as Te Iwi Waiata Raetihi Morehu Youth Movement. They have plans to hold a talent quest and later in the year a music festival with out-of-town participation. They run a cake stall every second Tuesday outside their rooms in Seddon Street next to Wrightsons. The efforts of the group may go a long way towards keeping the graffiti kids at bay.