MEDIA RELEASE

Rangatahi Zone 2026 Postponed as New Partnership Explores More Accessible Future for Southland Youth

 15 September 2026

Rangatahi Zone 2026 has been postponed until late January 2027 as organisers undertake a feasibility assessment to explore a more accessible, sustainable, and cost-effective model for the future of the popular Southland youth event.  The announcement follows a new partnership between Tuurama Trust and Awarua Whānau Services. Together, the organisations are exploring opportunities to reduce event delivery costs, increase accessibility for rangatahi, and create a sustainable long-term model that could see Rangatahi Zone hosted in Invercargill one year and Bluff every second year.

For the past several years, Rangatahi Zone has successfully been delivered in Bluff, bringing together social services, employers, educators, training providers, community organisations, and young people in a unique hands-on environment focused on wellbeing, career pathways, life skills, and future opportunities.  While Bluff remains an important part of the event's identity, organisers believe it is time to investigate whether a more central location could improve participation and reduce costs.

A major driver behind the review is the significant expense associated with transporting buses, activities, equipment, exhibitors, and more than 120 workers, volunteers, and support personnel to Bluff each year. The partnership believes some of these savings could potentially be redirected into delivering more activities, engaging more employers, and creating additional career-focused opportunities for young people.

The feasibility study will explore venue options in and around the Forth Street area of Invercargill, where Awarua Whānau Services is based, and assess whether locating the event closer to the region's population centre could remove barriers for rangatahi who may not otherwise attend.  Jay Coote, Chair of Tuurama Trust, says the focus remains firmly on achieving the best outcomes for young people.  "This isn't about moving away from Bluff — it's about exploring how we can reach more rangatahi across Southland. We want to investigate whether a rotating model, with Invercargill hosting one year and Bluff hosting every second year, could provide the best balance between accessibility, sustainability, and maintaining our strong community connections."  Sumaria Beaton, Project Lead for Rangatahi Zone, says the postponement provides an opportunity to carefully assess future options rather than rushing to deliver an event that may not achieve its full potential.

"The question we're asking is whether we can create an even bigger impact for Southland rangatahi. If we can reduce transport costs and logistical barriers, we may be able to invest more into experiences, careers exploration, training opportunities, and meaningful connections with employers and industry."

The feasibility assessment will focus on:

• Increasing participation and accessibility for rangatahi.

• Reducing transport and operational costs.

• Expanding career and employment-focused activities.

• Strengthening partnerships with employers, educators, and community organisations.

• Investigating a rotating Invercargill-Bluff model to ensure strong regional representation.

• Creating a long-term, sustainable future for Rangatahi Zone.

Community stakeholders, schools, employers, funders, iwi, and youth service providers will be engaged throughout the planning process, with further announcements expected later in the year.

About Rangatahi Zone

Rangatahi Zone is a Southland-led youth initiative inspired by the successful Kidzone model, bringing together more than 50 activities delivered across multiple venues. Young people have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of experiences including sports, creative arts, technology, cooking, health and wellbeing, cultural activities, and career exploration. The event is made possible through the collaboration of community organisations, businesses, volunteers, educators, and local leaders, all working together to create positive opportunities for Southland rangatahi.