Latest News Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc and Te Kura a Rangi Trust Trust Deed Signing Launches Youth Centre for Wairarapa Planning for a dedicated youth centre in the Wairarapa gets a boost this Wednesday evening when representatives from the five partners and the Wairarapa Youth Council sign the trust deed. The partner organisations include Rangitāne o Wairarapa Inc who have been leading its development; Masterton District Council, Wairarapa District Health Board, Masterton Trust Lands Trust and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. Each member group is mandated to provide youth services or activities for the community and have come together under the name Te Kura-a-Rangi Trust. The name was suggested by Cultural Advisor – Mike Kawana and refers to a young Rangitāne chief Tuteremoana whose head was adorned with a ‘feather from the sky’. The reference is about youthful vitality and reaching for one’s potential.  Inaugural Trust Chairperson and Masterton District Council Representative Matthew Kerr says that the youth centre will be a place for our 13 to 25 year olds to engage in lots of fun activities. “We want the youth to make this place work for them. The Youth Council have given us a guide as to what they’d like to see including a youth café operating after school, club nights, movies, games and dances. The Youth Council have already named the centre and it will be called The Spot”   The Spot is located in the old church buildings on Queen Street just next to Motordrome and opposite UCoL. The venue is owned by the Masterton Trust Lands Trust and they will be renovating it so that it is safe and functional by March 2009.   “Masterton is unique in that we have six colleges in this town and with it a large teenage population, we also have an over-18 population that want to have more things to do so we are aiming to make sure the centre has as wide appeal as possible.” says Mr Kerr. “The challenge now is for us to secure funding for a co-ordinator and to get the public’s interest up.”   The Trust wants to hear from any youth-based groups who would like to use the facility or members of the public who want to volunteer to run events or help out. The Trust is also keen to hear from sponsors or groups who would like to contribute to the Youth Centre in any way. Contact Emma Waddington on 06 377 3285 or Jason Kerehi – Chief Executive at Rangitāne o Wairarapa 06 370 0600. The Trust coordination is being carried out by Emma Waddington, who is available on emma.waddington@yahoo.co.nz or 06 377 3285. Emma is the first point of contact for people wanting to find out more about the centre. 9 December 2008