30-07-2025
Double Win For Tauranga Teen
'Not only my peers but also the staff had acknowledged the person I am', says Tatahau Ronaki (18), who achieved an impressive double win at Blue Light's Life Skills Camp held at the Burnham Military Base from 14 – 18 July 2025. Tatahau, who lives in Tauranga, walked away with two of the three top awards - the Overall Excellence Award and the Peers' Choice Award - impressing both the New Zealand Defence Force and his fellow participants.
Reflecting on his week at camp, Tatahau shared, 'The camp gave me confidence and understanding in myself…It also gave me the confidence to work with others and lead a group while gaining life skills and knowledge on how routine, discipline and teamwork can go a long way.'
Tatahau encourages other teens to consider the Blue Light Life Skills Camp. 'Don't hold back and give it a go. This opportunity is a great experience and you get to work alongside great staff and meet amazing new people, and in that week, you can learn a lot about yourself,' he advises.
Blue Light Mentor, Kawana Marsden, reflects on Tatahau's journey. 'Tatahau really stood out during camp, not because he was the loudest or the fastest, but because he gave everything a go, even when he was a bit nervous. He lifted his team with quiet confidence, always encouraging those around him. You could see his teammates naturally looking to him for leadership and wanting him to represent them. He soaked up every bit of advice from the NZDF staff and wasn't there to show off - he was there to grow. His attitude, leadership and commitment shone through, and it's no surprise he took home both the Overall Excellence and Peers' Choice Awards.'
Looking ahead, Tatahau shared his next steps. 'I have my eyes on joining either the Army or the Police, but I'm still not sure. For now, I am looking for employment,' he shared.
Blue Light's Life Skills Camp, run in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force, provides young people with a unique opportunity to develop confidence, leadership, and resilience. Tatahau's story is just one of many where teens discover their strengths and set goals for a brighter future.
This highly successful programme has been run by New Zealand Blue Light in partnership with the NZ Defence Force for the past 14 years and has adventure-based experiential learning as a key part of the programme.
The programme provides 14-17-year-olds with critical life skills such as self-development, self-control, and teamwork that will enable young people to be successful at home, school, in communities, and in employment.
Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, Trentham, Waiouru, and Burnham locations. For more information about the Blue Light Life Skills camps, visit Blue Light is grateful for the support of the sponsorship of the Lion Foundation and community supporters. See or visit
New Zealand Blue Light
Blue Light is a not-for-profit charity that works in partnership with the Police to create positive connections between young people and the Police, helping young people find direction, fun, and a sense of belonging within their communities, enabling young people to develop life skills, leadership skills, and find employment opportunities.
Blue Light believes that it is through the empowerment of disadvantaged youth to reach their full potential that their overall well-being can be improved, and in turn, the well-being of their communities.
Blue Light achieves this through removing the barriers for disadvantaged youth to participate positively in the community, through both its national and locally-based programmes, activities, and events.
Blue Light's work in the community is unique – it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We have 70 local branches working with NZ Police to create meaningful experiences for young people in their regions, including cultural, sporting, and educational activities that are alcohol, drug, and violence-free.
Although Blue Light is supported by the Police, the two operate independently.
For many participants, the programmes decrease the risk of youth offending and becoming victims of crime through access to positive role models, time with other young people away and the opportunity to see the world outside their current environment.
Blue Light originally began in Australia as a community policing initiative and remains strong in all states. As well as in New Zealand, it is now active in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and Scotland.
