Miriama Kamo inspires parents and youth at whanau evening

May 26, 2009

This year Opunake High Schools Whanau roopu in association with the Taranaki District Health Boards Health Promotion Unit are hosting a whanau evening for the parents and young people of Opunake. The night is in celebration of ‘Youth week’ which is a week that celebrates the diversity and talent of New Zealand young people and runs from the 25th-31st of May. The theme this year is on making time for youth and relates to new findings that 45% of young people report that they don't get enough time with their parents*.

To inspire families, TV personality and journalist Miriama Kamo will be speaking on the invaluable role whanau play in shaping and positively influencing young peoples lives. Miriama is widely to known for her role as presenter of TV2's top current affairs show 20/20. However upon leaving school Miriama was in a ‘state of uncertainty' about what direction to take after high school. ‘Luckily the whānau strongly encouraged me to consider university. I grudgingly enrolled and then to my surprise
I had a great time.' Although Miriama affiliates strongly with her South Island, Kāi Tahu roots she also has connections to Taranaki through Ngati Mutunga and is excited to return to Taranaki and talk with youth and their families.

Opunake High School will be hosting the evening in their school hall at 5pm tonight and whanau and community members are welcome to attend this free event. The night will include games and spot prizes and will also feature guest youth presenters who will speak to initiatives and programmes that the health promotion unit have been running successfully in the school.

For more information please call:
Hinenui Knock
TDHB Health Promotion Unit
Ph (06) 753 7799,

*Youth 07 key finding. University of Auckland 2007.

Last updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2009