On Saturday 28 October 2023, Tāmaki hosted its first-ever free Youth Festival, bringing together rangatahi, families and community partners for a day of celebration, creativity and connection.

The event was led and designed by the WAYFYNDERS Youth Consulting Agency, showcasing what can happen when young people are trusted to lead and shape experiences for their own community.

YouthFest was created to provide a safe and welcoming environment where young people could connect with one another, explore opportunities, and simply enjoy a day designed with them in mind.

The festival featured live music and performances, local food vendors, youth entrepreneurs and influencers, merchandise stalls, sports activities, and interactive workshops. The result was a vibrant event that reflected the energy and creativity of Tāmaki’s young people.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Youth and families appreciated having a free event that was accessible, fun and focused on celebrating local talent and youth culture.

Events like YouthFest demonstrate the power of youth-led initiatives within the WAYFYNDERS system — creating opportunities for rangatahi to lead, organise and contribute meaningfully to their community.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible, and to the many volunteers and supporters whose time and effort brought the event to life.

We also acknowledge our community sponsors who helped fund the event:

• PAK’nSAVE

• Auckland Council

• One NZ Warriors

• TRC

• FLAVA

Their support helped ensure this event was accessible to the whole community.