On 24–25 June 2025, Zeal West came alive with energy, creativity, and innovation as 40 rangatahi from middle schools across West Auckland took part in the vibrant two-day Texpo Series at Zeal’s space on Alderman Drive, Henderson.
The initiative received a $87,965.00 grant from The Trusts Your West Innovation Fund, which offered students a unique chance to explore and upskill in creative digital technology, storytelling, and esports.
Day One: Dive Into Digital Futures
The first day was all about discovery. Participants rotated through immersive workshops where they:
- Competed in a brand-new e-sports format, learning the ins and outs of professional streaming and teamwork.
- Used a green screen and professional-grade cameras to capture stills and short videos, sparking their creativity.
- Edited a series of clips into a short film that told a story from their own perspective.
- Designed a personal logo or identity to be printed on a custom t-shirt, something they could wear proudly and take home.
Day Two: Choose Your Path and Showcase Your Skills
The second day saw the rangatahi placed into one of four areas based on their interests. In teams of ten, they applied their newly learned skills to:
- Stream another entirely new e-sports challenge, this time presenting and showcasing their skills under pressure.
- Record and produce their own podcast episode, developing their voice and confidence.
- Create a polished highlights reel of their e-sports experience, complete with overlays and custom visual effects.
- Design personal posters that reflected their whakapapa, identity, and aspirations ahead of Matariki.
The workshop concluded with a beautiful gallery-style showcase where participants shared their work, left affirming post-it notes for their peers, and celebrated each other’s unique journeys. The sense of pride and whanaungatanga was palpable. Adding to the mana of the day, Matua James, a trusted mentor and guiding figure for many of the students, prepared a delicious hangi to honour their efforts and commitment.
It was a generous, heartfelt feast, well-earned and much appreciated by everyone involved. Thanks to Zeal West for their mahi in the Texpo Series, its a shining example of how community-focused programming can create powerful.
