Later this month a huge line up of celebrities, inspirational speakers and national bands will converge on the events centre at Claudelands for the 2013 Rise and Shine Youth Festival.

The event is expected to attract over 5,000 and Event Manager, Tama Hata says that the focus is to provide the opportunity for youth to engage with some of New Zealand’s biggest household names in a fun and friendly environment.

“The event encompasses three main components”, says Hata.

“In the main arena we have a full day programme that sees some of our greatest talents take the stage. We ran a Facebook and school survey and participants wanted to see the likes of J Geeks, Tomorrow People, Three Houses Down and House of Shem. With help from key networks, we’ve been able to pull together a stellar line up of MCs and musicians, including sports and television personalities.

“The second component includes a range of outdoor challenges and recreational activities in the areas we have donned ‘The Playground’ and ‘The Village’ – things like an Amazing Race, a school challenge that will see 28 schools face off, and a number of fun activities coordinated by organisations like Rock Up, Sport Waikato and Te Ahurei a Rangatahi.”

Former Vodafone Warrior and Rise and Shine Celebrity Coordinator Wairangi Koopu, says that the third component of the event is for him “probably the most important one”.

“My own career path has centred on rugby league, sports and science, broadcasting and motivational presenting,” says Koopu.

“And this event will give an insight into all of those things. The third component is an Education and Careers Expo designed to provide youth with the opportunity to learn about and engage with future training, development, and employment initiatives, alongside health and wellbeing promotions. We’ve strategically placed the Expo as the walk through between the main arena and The Playground so that the Expo is a pivotal component of the event.

“These orientation type opportunities are not always available to primary, intermediate and secondary school students until they are actually school leavers. Here’s an opportunity for youth to engage and think about the pathways they want to take into adulthood.

“It’s all positive and this is why I became involved.”

For more information visit: www.riseandshinefestival.co.nz

Tickets available from Ticketek.