Zeal welcomes its first youth event

Zeal Kapiti has gathered a collective of passionate youth, supportive business minds and inspiring creatives to instigate its first youth event for the coast.

This Friday at Zeal Kapiti's imminent building base, 130 Rimu Road, Switch will see a series of experienced DJs and musicians take the stage, as well as door-opening performances from local year 13 college bands.

Organised predominantly by youth, for youth, Switch is the masterwork of up to 30 young locals, who make up Zeal Kapiti's volunteer team, and stem from divisions including the Kapiti Coast Youth Council and local colleges.

Zeal Kapiti manager David Orchard said developing safe, drug and alcohol-free events had been a desire among young people for five years.

"In 2010 the youth survey was done by the Youth Council and the Boys and Girls Institute in Wellington, and part of the results found that the youth wanted more safe events they could attend in the community, particularly at night.

"Since launching here in late October, we've received a huge group of young people who are passionately behind Zeal and what we can bring to the community."

As well as support from Kapiti Coast District Council, the event was fuelled by support from locals including Huta Thomas of The Paepae Soundsytem, Jade Jackson of Young People Productions and Ill Magik's Theo Stechman.

Set to take place in Zeal Kapiti's unoccupied shed space, which will take another 18 months or so to complete, Switch will include on-site security during the 7pm to 10pm event.

It will also include free Ill Magik giveaways.

"Since this is our first event, we're trialing how it goes, but I'm positive it'll run smoothly."

For anyone interested in learning more about Zeal Kapiti's initiatives and building design plans, a stakeholder engagement evening is taking place this evening, from 6pm to 8pm, at the new site.

"So far, the feedback and support from the community has been massive," David added.

"It's really encouraging."