Some of Christchurch’s rising young bands, musicians and performers will take the stage this Saturday as Christchurch’s Youth Hub throws open the doors of its new Events Centre with a free public showcase.

The 128 square metre flexible use space, in the central city, has been purpose built for young people in Christchurch to express themselves and take part in everything from music and dance to drama and circus arts. The Trust says it fills a long standing gap for an affordable, dedicated youth venue in the heart of town.

“This Centre is about giving young people a chance to connect face to face rather than on their phones,” Youth Hub Trust Chair Dame Sue Bagshaw said. “We hope it will spark creativity, build confidence and give young people a sense of belonging.”

The Centre, part of the wider Youth Hub Christchurch (Te Hurihanga ō Rangatahi) development, was funded by the Christchurch City Council’s Capital Endowment Fund, the Rātā Foundation, the Maurice Carter Charitable Trust, the J I Urquhart Family Trust, and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, with more than 80 individuals chipping in to help kit the space out with event equipment.

“Youth Hub Christchurch is a community led project and we are so grateful for our major funding partners for coming together to get the Events Centre built, along with the more than 80 individuals who pitched in to help buy event equipment,” Dame Sue said.

“It’s wonderful that the Christchurch community can see the value of supporting initiatives that strengthen youth mental health and wellbeing, build resilience, and reduce barriers to accessing support services.”

Saturday’s free showcase has been made possible by funding from Ara Taiohi, Aotearoa’s peak body for youth development. Tickets are free but limited, and available via Humanitix.

The Hub is also opening a new shared hotdesking office space for youth focused organisations. Existing tenants based on site include Te Tahi Youth, VOYCE Whakarongo Mai, Te Kura, The Collaborative Trust, Southern Health School, the Christchurch Methodist Mission, Youthline, Christchurch Youth Council, Egg Academy, Comcol, Christchurch City Mission, and Rerenga Awa.

The two new additions take the Youth Hub Christchurch build to its halfway point. The Hub first opened in late 2024 and already includes a 22 bedroom supported housing wing for youth at risk of homelessness, run by the Christchurch Methodist Mission, plus office spaces, meeting rooms and an outdoor activities courtyard for the wraparound youth services based on site.

Dame Sue said fundraising would continue for the rest of the development.

“We continue to fundraise to build the next stages of the Hub including a drop in centre with laundry, shower and kitchen facilities for young people and their whānau, creative arts spaces where young people can learn new skills, providing pathways into education, training and employment, a training café, youth apartments and garden areas,” she said.

“These spaces are essential to creating a place where young people naturally gather, build connections, and access support early.”

The free youth showcase is on Saturday 23 May at the Youth Hub Events Centre.