Nesian Mystik Auctions Jam Session For Charity

PRESS RELEASE
14 April 2009

Nesian Mystik Auctions Jam Session For Charity

Multi award winning music group Nesian Mystik is offering fans the chance to jam one-on-one with them, as part of a fundraising initiative for the Foundation for Youth Development.

Nesian Mystik lead singer, Te Awanui 'Awa' Reeder, said the group decided to get behind the charity's latest fundraiser - the Non-Event of the Year - as a way of helping to support New Zealand youth.

"It can be really hard for young people to make informed decisions when they have conflicting issues coming at them from all directions. It's important that our rangatahi (young people) can be themselves and confident about whom they are and where they want to go in life," Te Awanui said.

Nesian Mystik are proud supporters of the Foundation for Youth Development which currently helps approximately 17,000 young New Zealanders each year via its Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K programmes.

Foundation for Youth Development mountaineer and co-founder, Graeme Dingle, said the Non-Event of the Year is a non-traditional, no frills, no nonsense fundraising initiative.

"In these tight economic times, we don't want Kiwis to fork out excessive amounts of money to attend a charity dinner. There's no dressing up and no need to get your hair done just to spend a night with people you don't really know, snacking on fiddly finger food. Instead, we’re inviting people to help the youth of New Zealand by doing their own thing, whether that's at home with their family or with a group of friends," Dingle said.

Te Awanui said the Foundation for Youth Development currently runs Project K at Western Springs College, which is the former high school for five of the six Nesian Mystik members.

"The Foundation's programmes aim to give young people the opportunity to realize their potential and overcome challenges to succeed, which is exactly what our youth need."

Like most young New Zealanders Te Awanui had to face a few of his own challenges while growing up as a young urban Maori.

"I'm still young, I still make mistakes and I'm definitely not perfect. For me, it's about making the most of the opportunities that I get."

He said his and other members of Nesian Mystik's personal struggles have been used as inspiration for some of their chart-topping songs.

"We've combined our talents to do what we love which is making music. Hopefully, our young people can relate to our songs in a positive way."

Aside from fulfilling his commitments as lead singer of Nesian Mystik, Te Awanui, has completed a Bachelor of Business in Management and
Marketing and is currently working on his post graduate studies, while hosting many successful radio and television shows.

"I think we need to enable our young people to identify their strengths and skills and realise their true potential. It's really important that young Kiwis are given as much support and encouragement as possible to develop into healthy and confident individuals - and that's what the Foundation for Youth Development's programmes strive to achieve," Te Awanui said.

The jam session will be auctioned online via the official Non-Event of the Year website - www.nonevent.org.nz.

Aside from the jam session, people can also select one of five different ticket options for the Non-Event of the Year starting at $50 and going up to $1,000.

"Ticket holders then receive a Liquor King voucher which can be used to select alcoholic or non alcoholic beverage packages to help them host the perfect non-event from the comfort of their own lounge. There's no black-tie dinner, small talk or C-listers."

As well as purchasing a ticket or bidding on an auction item, New Zealanders can make a straight donation of $20 in support of young Kiwis.

Funds raised during the six week campaign will be used by the Foundation for Youth Development to further its programmes.

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