A young man with a mission

FINISHER: Josh Matene, whose mission in life is finding and polishing bright young talent.

Everyone who lives in Kaikohe will know Josh Matene, by sight if not by name. He is always out and about, and if there's a gig in town, especially one involving music, he'll be there.

He often spends his own money, and time, raising the funds needed to stage disco-type dances and concerts for the town's young people, a commitment to others that is born of his own tragedy.

Josh lost his only son, Atreyu Taylor Matene, in July last year, the result of head injuries suffered while he was in the care of his mother's new partner. No one has been charged as yet, but losing the infant has affected Josh and his family beyond words. Now, with the help of his family, he's found a way forward - working with youth through music.

His stage name is DJ HYPE (Helping Young People Evolve), the same name used by Kaikohe's youth advisory group that he is involved with, staging and being part of events that promote freedom from drugs and tobacco, wellness, safety, awareness, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual improvement.

"I want to help all those who have talent to excel in their lives through music," he said.

"I want to take the pure, bright talent inside the youth and keep that pure, bright talent shining, nurturing it and guiding them on their journey, keeping their light shining bright to get them where they need to be.

"I also want to be someone they can look up to, turn to for advice, who can give positive directions in life, someone they can show them that they can be who they want to be, whether that be a musician, leader, traveller, songwriter, singer or band member making it big."

Playing the guitar had helped him get places in the past. Some said he had talent, but more importantly music had helped him survive through thick and thin, the ultra high and the extremely low. And it had proved to be a valuable tool in helping others excel.

Josh knew from his own experience the dreadful effects of drugs and alcohol. They had played a part in the demise of his relationship, and in the loss of his son.

"Now I want to help people make good life choices, to achieve goals and to set high standards to enable them to get them to where they need or want to be in their lives," he said.

"I will be running a lot of community events in Kaikohe, for all ages and families, with a music theme, from art to dance, building leadership skills. I know I can achieve that, with the help of the community."