The Tuurama Trust partnered with several community organisations to host the first Rangatahi Zone in Bluff yesterday.
Cultural activator Jay Coote said the event was a way to help youth in the region grieve as they had experienced many tragedies this year, including the car crash that killed four young men in March at Queens Park, Invercargill.
The activities were a way to give the youth a bit of inspiration and healing while they had fun, he said.
"This event was created to uplift our rangatahi, for them to have something to do during the holidays.
"We just wanted to reach out to our young people and sort of put a nice environment for them to come together, connect, hang out and experience new things."
Mr Coote said there were about 40 activities happening across several facilities in Bluff over three days.
"I’ve just had a go and it was really fun.
"It is great to have something like this here as there are many things for us to do. I will definitely come back tomorrow," he said.
Invercargill friends Saniya Najeeb (10) and Evie Randall (11) agreed.
The cold weather did not dampen their spirits.
"We’ve made some pizza but I put too much cheese on it. But it was delicious anyway.
"The whole thing is quite fun and I hope we can do all activities in those three days."
The event is free and will run until Friday.
