MEDIA RELEASE
Whitianga Community Services Trust (WCST) is proud to announce the official opening of the Blue Light youth programme at its community hub in Whitianga, marking an important step forward in supporting young people and strengthening community connections across the Eastern Coromandel.
The new Blue Light initiative will operate from the WCST facility at 2 Cook Drive, providing local youth with positive activities, mentoring opportunities, leadership development, and safe community engagement programmes designed to build confidence, resilience, and wellbeing.
WCST General Manager Tony Marsters said the arrival of Blue Light reflects the Trust’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for Rangatahi (ages 12-24) and strengthening community safety and wellbeing.
“We are excited to welcome Blue Light into our community and into the Whitianga Community Services Trust family. This initiative aligns strongly with our mission to support local people, particularly our young people, by creating safe spaces, positive experiences, and opportunities for growth and connection.”
Blue Light is a nationally recognised charitable organisation that works in partnership with police, communities, schools, and local organisations to empower young people through a wide range of educational, recreational, and leadership activities.
The programme at WCST will focus on building positive relationships, encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting community participation, and providing safe and engaging alternatives for youth in the region.
A key component of the initiative will be the Blue Light Street Smart programme, designed to equip young people with practical life skills, confidence, and decision-making tools to help them navigate everyday challenges safely and responsibly.
The Street Smart programme provides youth with hands-on learning experiences focused on topics such as:
- Road safety and responsible decision-making
- Respectful relationships and personal responsibility
- Leadership and teamwork development
- Building confidence and resilience
- Community engagement and positive social connections
- Understanding the impacts of alcohol, drugs, and risky behaviour
- Emergency awareness and personal safety skills
Through interactive workshops, mentoring, group activities, and community-based experiences, Street Smart aims to empower Rangatahi to make positive choices while strengthening their connection to their community and support networks.
WCST believes the programme will play an important role in helping young people develop confidence, practical life skills, and a stronger sense of belonging while creating positive pathways for the future.
One of the key focuses of the Blue Light programme at WCST will be supporting young people to complete their practical driver licensing tests locally in Whitianga. This initiative will remove the need for Blue Light members and their families to travel to Thames for restricted and full driver licence testing.
By providing local access to driver licensing support and testing opportunities, the programme aims to reduce barriers for youth, improve road safety outcomes, increase employment opportunities, and help young people gain greater independence. WCST sees access to driver licensing as an important step toward education, employment, and long-term wellbeing for Rangatahi across the Eastern Coromandel.
The opening also highlights the growing role of the new WCST community facility, completed in March 2025, as a central hub for wellbeing, youth development, emergency response, and community support services across the Coromandel.
Community leaders, supporters, local agencies, and families are invited to attend the official opening event and celebrate this exciting new chapter for local youth.
Wide support
WCST acknowledges the support of community partners, volunteers, and agencies whose collaboration has helped bring Blue Light to Whitianga.
“This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our local Police, the generous contribution from the Kubota Billfish Tournament and tournament volunteers, funding assistance from the Ministry of Youth Development, and the commitment of our wider WCST and Blue Light whānau,” said Tony Marsters.
“The collaboration behind this programme reflects what can be achieved when communities work together to create better opportunities and positive pathways for our young people.”
Applications
Applications for young people wishing to participate in the Blue Light programme are now available online through the Whitianga Community Services Trust website https://wcst.org.nz/youth-services/
For more information about the programme or the opening event, contact: Tony Marsters, General Manager, Whitianga Community Services Trust. Email: manager@wcst.org.nz
