Survival Idol is Back with a Powerful Message

Wednesday 25 October 2006

Survival Idol is Back with a Powerful Message

Last year’s NZ Idol Rosita Vai will be judging Tairawhiti’s successful singing competition Survival Idol this Saturday.

Survival Idol is based on the NZ Idol concept - the difference being that the young singing hopefuls must give a performance with a road safety message.

Survival Idol Coordinator Kiri Simpson said Ms Vai is one of three judges. The other two judges are Tyronne Chaffey of the Gisborne Police and Raymond Ropata from the Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council or ALAC.

“We are expecting a real diverse range of performances from rap, hip hop, soul and kapa haka. Anything goes as long as the words are original, and it has a road safety message”.

Survival Idol was created as a follow up to Shattered Dreams, a locally made video about the devastating impact a drunk driver had on the life of Gisborne teenager Tamati Paul, his family, and the community.

Ms Simpson said when the video is shown at schools the silence from the students afterwards is deafening. Tears often flow.

“He had everything going for him but a drunk driver shattered that. He was left with multiple severe injuries and brain damage. His story could be anyone’s story, and the video was produced as a resource to promote injury prevention and road safety, with a specific focus on Maori. Survival Idol is a way of carrying on the message.”

Survival Idol is this Saturday 28 October in the Lytton High School hall from 1pm. Entry is $2.

Entries for Survival Idol, are available from the Turanga Health office 144 Derby St or by ringing (06) 869 0751 or (06) 8567 8463.

ENDS

© Scoop Media