Hokonui Runanga Health and Social staff delivered a four-day Rangatahi Holiday Program for local rangatahi aged 8 and up, including those from Gore and surrounding districts. The programme was a strong community effort, with support from Dan Winkle at the MLT, Jaki Eales delivering a Poi and Waiata workshop at McNab Marae, and Paul McPhail hosting activities at St James Theatre. Across the two weeks, rangatahi took part in a wide range of experiences including arts and crafts, baking, board games, multisport activities such as laser tag, snag golf, pickleball and swimming, a Whānau Day at The Runanga, and a Movie Time Magic morning watching The Smurfs with popcorn and ice cream. Daily attendance ranged from 25–31 rangatahi, with a waitlist in place and 40 registered for the multisport day alone.

The programme was designed to remove barriers by being completely free, giving rangatahi the chance to try new educational, physical, and resilience-building activities they may not otherwise have access to, while also easing stress for whānau. Support from the Hokonui Hauora Fund helped cover the hire of four courts at the Multisport Complex, enabling a full day of activities, with remaining funds used to provide fruit for the day. Seeing rangatahi grow in confidence, give everything a go, and achieve new things, even when it felt a bit scary, was a standout outcome, alongside the visible joy and engagement throughout the programme.