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News
Rave to rev up local youth
Thursday, 06 July 2006
By SARAH MACDONALD
• Howick and Pakuranga Times
HOWICK and Pakuranga Youth Council are raving about their new project.
The student representatives for Manukau City Council are in the throes of planning Cerebrum, an under-age alcohol and drug-free rave.
“We see a distinct lack in organised events for youth in Howick and the general area,” says youth council chairman Dex Fortescue.
“We’re hoping with this event we can reduce unorganised parties resulting in damage and over consumption of alcohol and drugs.”
Dex, a Saint Kentigern College student, says one event wouldn’t solve the area’s problem with under age parties.
“We’re looking to do a series of raves with the old hippie theme of peace, love, unity and respect,” says Dex.
The Pakuranga Community Board granted the youth council nearly $500 from its discretionary fund last month.
“Now that the community board has offered its financial support, Rotaract will come on board and we’ll apply for other funding,” says Dex.
The groups are aiming for a slick, professional event. “For one rave it will cost about $5000,” he says.
“It’s definitely not going to be a homebrew thing. By charging for tickets we will hopefully be able to keep having events with the money collected paying for the next one.”
Often misconceptions arise when the group says they will be hosting a rave.
“A lot of older people associate raves with drugs and alcohol, so I’ve found it really useful to use the word disco as well, to give people the idea of good clean fun,” says Dex.
“It’s an issue because older people don’t like the word rave and younger people don’t like the word disco, but really they’re the same thing.”
Cerebrum hopes to launch in August with advertising in schools to promote the event nearer to the time.
Young people interested in getting involved with the youth council can attend its weekly Friday meetings at Botany Library Focus Room, 6-7pm.
“Our goal is to give youth a voice in the community and give them input into local politics,” says Dex.
“We’re always looking for recruits.”
