Real Talk is visiting Dunedin’s youth tomorrow, sharing their personal experiences with mental health, addiction, abuse, grief, career aspirations, identity and more.
Event host Tania Carr said the day, at The Dunedin Centre, was to help rangatahi (youth) "patua te taniwha o te whakamā — beat that monster of shame".
"It’s very personal," Ms Carr said.
"I don’t know of any other platforms that provide a real opportunity to speak from the heart about real experiences."
Ms Carr said rangatahi were often made to "suffer in silence".
"I grew up in not so ideal circumstances and I always kept my mouth shut.
"I went through physical abuse as a child, sexual abuse as a child, and I just kept everything a secret because that’s what I was told to do."
She first opened up about her trauma to help a group of women in similar circumstances learn how to break cycles of abuse.
"I felt the power of healing, opening my mouth after all those years.
"But also I felt the effects of giving our wāhine a safe space to tell their stories.
"I thought, ‘wow, this is powerful’."
She said the need for open discussions around these sensitive topics was becoming increasingly relevant.
"Too often our rangatahi are taking their lives because of the pain they’re experiencing and they’ve got no outlet to let it go."
Gloriavale leaver David Ready is one of the kaikōrero (speakers) for the event.
He will speak about the impacts of Gloriavale and his journey of finding himself.
Siblings Tāne Māhuta and Te Akaraupo Pākeha-Heke will deliver a "powerful" speech about losing their mother when they were young and growing up in domestically abusive environments.
The pair often travel around the country, advocating for a "violence-free Aotearoa".
Pania Te Paiho will speak on her movement Wahine Toa Hunting, which focuses on teaching women how to hunt to both "fill their freezers" and improve their mental health.
TikTok influencer Pairama Wright will speak on being "authentically yourself" and how "being Māori is a super-power".
The free event will also include a performance from entertainer Te Kurahuia and a visit from Pōtiki Poi co-founder Georgia Latu.
All young people are welcome, as well as youth service providers, teachers and anyone else who has a rangatahi to come along with them.
Rangatahi must register on the Real Talk website to attend.
