This week, Palmerston North is celebrating national Youth Week with special events at Youth Space.

Youth Week celebrates young people (12-24), the contribution they make to our community, and the people who support them.

The week-long festival of events will be centred around the theme “Ahakoa te aha, kei a koe te tikanga: Be who you want to be” and includes free workshops and inspiring talks.

The headline speaker this year will be Steve Lange, founder of Tony’s Tyre Service. After leaving high school early, Steve founded the biggest independent tyre chain in New Zealand, consisting of 20 outlets turning over $24 million a year and employing 170 people. He will talk about his journey at Youth Space from 6pm on Wednesday 23 May and will answer any questions about his challenges along the way.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite for this free event, but numbers are limited.

Debbie Christian, Council’s Youth Services Team Leader, says Youth Week is an important opportunity to support our youth and help them to become the best they can be.

“Having Steve share his story with young people is about inspiring them to think outside the box. The road is not always easy and there is no right or wrong way, so it is important to hear from people like Steve who have faced challenges and how they overcame these.”

Palmy Youth Network will also host a free breakfast for young people and share what they do for Palmerston North youth. To book a spot head to Eventbrite. Numbers are limited.

The final event of the week will be a block party hosted by Palmy Unleashed on Friday 25 May, with Coleman Place closed off to vehicles. There will be music and food trucks and a chance to celebrate the talents, passion and success of local young people.

For more information, including a timetable of events, go to citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/programme/youth-space

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