Finalists found in city search for young stars

By shauni.james@dailypost.co.nz

Rotorua Daily Post·

1 Jul, 2016 09:00 PM3 mins to read

SHOW: Russell Harrison (left) is the MC for the Matariki Star Search, and Mercia-Dawn Yates and Rodger Cunningham are guest judges, along with Jane Trask (not pictured). PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Locals are in for an exciting night of entertainment when the Matariki Star Search Grand Finale takes the stage at the Rotorua Civic Theatre of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre on July 13.

The free event from 6pm to 8pm will present 13 acts from 10- to 18-year-olds.

Rotorua District Library children's and teens' librarian Te Aroha Rangi said the competition was a Rotorua Library initiative supported by Nga Pumanawa e Waru and the Rotorua Lakes Council.

She encouraged people to come along.

"I think it's going to be a really exciting event and they can tuck it under their belts for future goals they may have."

Miss Rangi said it was an inaugural event and had two categories - Performance and Nga mahi a Rehia.

There would be a focus on the Maori category and trying to encourage kura kaupapa schools to get involved in the future.

Acts include solo singers, solo dancers, group dancers, a band and group singers.

Russell Harrison will be the MC.

There would be a first place for both categories and The People's Choice Award decided by audience vote.

Miss Rangi said the Rotorua Youth Council had been supportive, helped at the auditions, and would be helping on the final night.

Nga Pumanawa e Waru director of engagement and guest judge Mercia-Dawn Yates said the event was an opportunity to reach further into the community and work in collaboration with the Rotorua District Library.

"It was an opportunity to engage with not only our learners in the community, but also their parents who had come along to support them."

Nga Pumanawa e Waru was looking at innovative ways of reaching out to engage and involve parents in their children's learning.

"The research shows that when parents are engaged in their children's learning, achievement also improves.

"Whenever we got an opportunity to speak to a parent or during some of the feedback slots, we would message about the importance of parents being involved in their children's learning.

"I believe it's an event the community should come along and support because it's a first, and they will also see the wealth of talent that we have here in Rotorua."