On Wednesday, 4th December, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai hosted the incredible Kākahu Koha Christmas Pop-Up at Whanake Youth in Nelson. Over 60 tamariki, rangatahi, caregivers, and whānau came together to celebrate the end of the year with joy, connection, and a unique shopping experience.

Thanks to the generosity of Common Equal, we gifted brand-new, branded clothing to attendees, ensuring everyone felt valued and celebrated. Whanake Youth provided a welcoming space, and Oranga Tamariki kept everyone cool with ice blocks, while VOYCE served up pizza and great music to keep the vibes high.

Fun Activities:

• Basketball games for tamariki and rangatahi.
• Fresh cuts and fades from Nuks the Barber.
• Opportunities for meaningful kōrero and connection.

Event Highlights:

• Seeing the joy as tamariki and rangatahi selected clothing, especially gender-affirming options that made everyone feel seen.
• Bringing together new and familiar faces from our Nelson care community.
• Heartwarming feedback like this social media comment:
  “You guys were a blast. Narveer & I loved our gear. Fun time had. Merry Christmas to our three wonderful people who pulled this event off. Gran Barb & Narveer. Hugs Team.”

Thank You to Our Supporters:
This event wouldn’t have been possible without Common Equal, Oranga Tamariki, Nuks the Barber, and Whanake Youth. Together, we created an unforgettable experience that celebrated the spirit of the season.