A Bay of Islands high school band is in the running for more than $10,000 in prizes and the chance to be the next big Pasifika act to emerge on the Kiwi music scene. Harmonies Divergent, from Bay of Islands College, is one of 10 acts named to take part in the final of the Smokefree Tangata Beats competition. This year Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats attracted more than 800 bands and solo/duos who went through regional heats and finals in 20 venues from Invercargill to Whangārei between May 5 and July 6. It's the 20th year for the Smokefree Tangata Beats, with success stories ranging from Aaradhna to The Spacifix, and most recently Waipū te Reo metal band Alien Weaponry. The finalists now prepare to play off at the Smokefree Tangata Beats national final at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland on September 21. The winning band takes over $10,000 in prizes.
Surf Lifesaving win
Waipū Surf Lifesaving Club was one of 10 surf clubs to win $10,000 from BP's Every Litre Counts campaign which raised $459,050 for Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) last summer. The money couldn't have come at a better time. The club has plans to tour through eight beaches in mid-January next year, offering beach-safety training to locals from Doubtless Bay, Taupo Bay, Manapouri Bay and others. They will run IRB and tube rescue demonstrations and CPR training, and provide education about safe areas to swim, how to spot a rip, and what to do if you get into trouble. A portion of the $10,000 will be used to provide accommodation, petrol, and the equipment necessary for the tour. The club has yet to vote on how the rest of the funds will be used, but these uses may include new lifeguarding equipment, maintenance of their building and junior surf equipment.
Have a say on te reo
If you're passionate about te reo Māori, now is your chance to have a say on the Government's plan to protect the language. Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta is calling for New Zealanders' views on Maihi Karauna – the Crown's draft Māori language strategy. The strategy lays out the Crown's responsibilities to revitalise te reo Māori and sets clear goals to achieve by 2040. Mahuta said she encouraged everyone to have their say on the future of the language and how the Crown can help to protect, promote and secure its future. She said this was the first time the Crown and Māori have entered into an active, planned partnership for revitalisation of te reo Māori. The public consultation runs until September 30. The strategy can be downloaded and submissions can be made at www.tpk.nz/maihikarauna
