Te Wānanga o Raukawa, in collaboration with Te Raukura Rangatahi Leadership Rōpu, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, Raukawa Whānau Ora Ltd, and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, proudly hosted the second annual Ki te Āpōpō –Rangatahi Expo at the Ōtaki Campus. This year’s expo provided an exciting platform for rangatahi to explore future pathways in education, health, wellbeing, and careers. Designed by rangatahi, for rangatahi, the event focused on empowerment through interactive experiences, information sharing, and cultural connection. The day was filled with high-energy performances from artists including Brutha Rodz, Sianne Dougherty, Pere Wihongi, Israel Starr, DJ Finatik, and a performance by the band State House Unit featuring singers Wiremu Barriball, Lisa Tomlins, and Hoseah Partsch. There were also powerful kapa haka performances by students from both Manukura and Ōtaki College, as well as a marching demonstration by Queen Elizabeth College. Te Kahu Rolleston and Te Rahera Hibbs kept the energy flowing throughout the day as the MC. With more than 1,200 attendees, 38 exhibitors, and nine performers, the expo was a huge success. Feedback from rangatahi was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as “an awesome kaupapa for rangatahi,” “the whakawhanaungatanga was amazing,” and “loved meeting Pere Wihongi and the other performers.” Exhibitors were equally enthusiastic. Our stallholders shared the following feedback, “It was fantastic to see the rangatahi so engaged. Their curiosity and energy throughout the day were inspiring—we can’t wait to come back next year.”  Event organisers said "This whole day was about our rangatahi — giving them a space to dream big, explore new pathways, and feel supported by their community. Seeing them genuinely interested and engaging in all the different options out there was everything we hoped for."