Kahu Youth Events

We love events, and we know you do too! There’s nothing better than getting the community together so that you, your friends and whanau can have a good time. Check them out …

Northlake Skate Jam

Kahu Youth Trust is proud to present this year’s Northlake Skate Jam. Come and get involved in this incredibly fun community event with individuals of all ages getting together and celebrating all things skateboarding. This is a family friendly event with a multi-event skateboarding competition, featuring skaters from all over the South Island.

Click here to register for the Northlake Skate Jam.

Where: Northlake Skate Park and Reserve
When: SAT 18 Nov, 10am sign-in/ warm-up, 11am comps start
Register online: Click here
Competition: Game of Skate, Open Trick Comp/ U12, U16, Girls, Open

Prizes for Open and Girls categories, and sweet prize packs from our sponsors; Base NZ, Base Streetwear, Fortune eyewear, Hello Ranger, Ruby’s, Red Star Burger Bar, Paradiso Cinemas, Black Peak.  

There will be a brand-new feature that was donated by Southern Lakes ITM. 

Kahu Youth will be putting on a BBQ to keep the tanks full!

This year the Koha registrations will be going towards the fitout for Kahu Youth’s new youth centre.

A massive thank you to WINTON Developers/ Northlake and ITM our Gold Event sponsor and Hello Ranger/B.effect our Silver Event Sponsor.

Check out the 2022 Northlake Skate Jam – click here!

Youth Volunteer Awards

FRI 24th November 2023, 6pm – 8pm

To nominate a young person CLICK HERE

The Upper Clutha Youth Council with Kahu Youth proudly present each year the Youth Volunteer Awards. This is a for-youth, by-youth celebration of all the positive things our local young people do in the community. It is a great way for youth to recognised the great work they do and to appreciate each other.

The Amazing Cardboard Boat Race

Check out the 2022 Amazing Cardboard Boat Race – click here!

For 13 years, Kahu Youth has run the annual Amazing Cardboard Boat Race. As the name suggests, it’s a boat race – but if your boat is not made out of cardboard, you get disqualified. This family favourite event sees friends get together to form cabin crews that create innovative, ingenious, hilarious and downright ridiculous cardboard boats and race them against each other on Lake Wānaka – just for fun and a good laugh.

Boaty McBoatface vs Buzzy Bee at Kahu Youth’s Amazing Cardboard Boat Race 2022

Matariki Celebrations

Save the date – 28 June 2024.

Since 2010 Kahu Youth has proudly celebrated Matariki by facilitating a major annual event for our community. Te Kāhui o Matariki is a cluster of stars that rises in mid-winter, marking the start of the Māori New Year. The New Year celebrations provide an opportunity for whanau and communities to come together to reflect on the year that has been and refresh and rise for the year ahead. With our community we celebrate Matariki with whakangahau (performances), hangi and fun, free activities for youth to learn about and engage in Māori culture. The event is made possible and brought to life by our incredible volunteers, local youth and our supportive community.

Takin’ over Amigos

Amigos Restaurant kindly allows Kahu Youth Trust to “take over” the front of house, running the restaurant for a few nights, and serving members of the general public. This is a great experience for all youth involved, and is also an important fundraising activity in our annual calendar.

Wānaka A&P Show

Save the date – FRI 8 – SAT 9 March 2024.

The annual A&P show is undoubtedly a highlight on many calendars in the Upper Clutha. Each year, Kahu Youth Trust is present at the event to connect with the local community, raise awareness of our programmes and services, and talk with the young people at the show.