Hosted by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, it is aimed at young people aged 15-29.

Over 500 young people are expected to attend.

The aim of the Festival is to invite and challenge people to actively participate in and grow their local faith community.

Special emphasis will be on what it means to be a Catholic 24/7 and interacting ‘face to face'.

The Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival will feature leadership and performance by the internationally recognised musician and worship leader, Matt Maher.

The organisers say the festival is not quite the same as a conference, youth camp or retreat. It has elements that are similar but it is more experiential and participatory.

They emphasise that formation at the Festival will be achieved by participation. This means that the more someone puts into the activities the more they will get out of it.

Similar to a large music festival, the timetable allows those attending to ‘choose their own path'. Individuals can decide what they see, who they see and what they do.

The Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival will have a wide range of activities. There will be a number of talks given by adults and young people, interactive activities such as workshops and the marketplace, as well as times of prayer.

A highlight will be the Festival Mass on the Saturday night preceded by the chance to participate in music and prayer led by Matt Maher.

Immediately following the Festival, on the Sunday evening, Matt Maher will headline a public concert for the Christian community of Auckland at the Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

All Festival participants will receive premier VIP tickets to the Concert as part of their festival registration fee.

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• Click here to find out more about the Festival - Accommodation, events and more

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Supplied: Amanda Gregan
Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The festival takes place at St Mary's College at St Marys' Bay in Auckland during the first weekend in December.

A wide range of activities are planned, including workshops, a cultural showcase and interactive experiences throughout.

Highlights include a Festival Mass on Saturday night and the chance to participate in music and prayer led by international guest Matt Maher.

Hosted by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, the festival targets those aged between 15 and 29, with organisers expecting upwards of 500 young people to attend.

Organisers expect upwards of 500 young people to attend.

On Sunday 3 December, Matt Maher performs a public concert for the Christian community of Auckland at the Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

The concert will have limited seating capacity. Festival participants will receive premier VIP tickets to the concert as part of their festival registration fee.

Matt Maher is an internationally acclaimed Christian songwriter and worship leader. Born in Canada, Matt now lives in Nashville in the United States.

Matt is excited about the opportunity to be with us here in New Zealand, both learning from us, and sharing with us his music and leadership. Tickets can be bought separately for the concert and the purchase of ten or more tickets before 15 September receive a 10% discount.

The festival runs from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 3 December 2017.

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference

Festival highlights include a Mass on the Saturday night and the chance to participate in music and prayer led by Maher.

There will also be a wide range of other activities, including workshops, a cultural showcase and interactive experiences.

Maher was born in Canada and now lives in Nashville.

Since his 2008 major label debut, Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community.

A five time-GRAMMY nominee, he has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs.

He says he is excited about the opportunity to come to New Zealand not only to share his music and and leadership but also to learn from the locals.

Hosted by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, the festival is aimed at those aged between 15 and 29 years of age.

It will be led by young people with many youth organisations from around the country collaborating to present it.

The organisers expect upwards of 500 people to attend.

"We are delighted to invite Matt Maher and his band to join us in Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate the work of God in and through young people," Bishop Patrick Dunn, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

"His music, faith, and presence among us later this year will be a challenge for all young people to be inspired to use their own God-given gifts when they return home to their local communities."

After the festival Maher will perform for the Christian community of Auckland at the Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

The festival will run from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 3 December 2017. It will be held at St Mary's College at St Mary's Bay in Auckland.

Registration opens 15 July and concert tickets will go on sale 1 August.

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