New Youth-focused Partnerships to Empower Rangatahi

Kaikōura Outdoor Programme

A partnership with Sport Tasman, Whenua Iti Outdoors, Department of Conservation, New Zealand Recreation Association, Sport New Zealand and others will support around 148 young New Zealanders in the Kaikōura District to engage in positive recreation opportunities.

Whenua Iti Outdoors will deliver the year-long Kaikōura Outdoor Programme which provides outdoor recreation-based leadership opportunities to support young people’s post-earthquake psychological and social recovery. Whenua Iti Outdoors has a strong focus on cultural engagement, allowing rangatahi from all backgrounds to explore Māori culture and strengthen their own identities.

“Supporting the wellbeing of rangatahi in the aftermath of the 2016 earthquake is very important so that they can be equipped to thrive in the future,” says Rachel Hopkins, MYD Partnership Fund Board Chair.

“Sport Tasman is delighted to be helping to develop this exciting project which is all about connecting our precious young people with our precious environment. It’s great to see so many organisations willing to join together to invest in Kaikōura’s youth, many of whom will go on to become our leaders of tomorrow,” says Sport Tasman CEO, Nigel Muir.

Initiate.Activate

Partnership with Lions Clubs New Zealand, will support around 200 rangatahi to engage in leadership and volunteering opportunities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Initiate.Activate is a new youth development initiative that enables young people to create, plan and deliver their own volunteer projects in their local communities. Certified facilitators will provide training and practical tools to the rangatahi during seven one-day workshops that will be held around Aotearoa New Zealand. Following the workshops and identification of volunteering projects, the young people will receive ongoing mentoring and support from local Lions Club members to deliver their initiatives. Seed funding will also be made available to support the delivery of projects in the various communities.

“Rangatahi will have the chance to learn new skills, contribute their time for the wellbeing of their communities, and lead and participate in decision-making,” says Rachel Hopkins, MYD Partnership Fund Board Chair.

“Lions Clubs New Zealand is delighted to partner with the Ministry of Youth Development to support this initiative. It will enable Lions Clubs to deliver a wide range of training to young people to enable them to participate in volunteering activities and to make a difference in their communities. Lions from around Aotearoa New Zealand are excited about the opportunities that this programme will give them to work with the next generation of leaders,” says Rex Bullard, District Governor - Lions Clubs New Zealand.

Tuia Rangatahi and Mayors Taskforce for Jobs

The Tuia Rangatahi Programme aims to develop the leadership capacity of rangatahi Māori in communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Rangatahi are involved in a one-to-one mentoring relationship with their local mayor over a 12 month period. The mayor provides opportunities to involve the young person in community activities that will assist their development as a leader, and explore local government and civic leadership through events/hui and informal training. In each community, the rangatahi engage with and/or develop a community project.

“It’s important that the leadership capabilities of young Māori are developed and this programme provides both parties with the opportunity to explore ways to drive social and economic change,” said Rachel Hopkins, MYD Partnership Fund Board Chair.

“For seven years, Tuia has been building an intergenerational movement of amazing young people who want to give back to their communities. As a Mayor, I see Tuia as a two way programme – my rangatahi mentor me as much as I mentor them. By partnering with MYD to support Tuia, we can make a difference in the lives of more rangatahi and their communities than ever before,” says Mayor Max Baxter, Chair of Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.

Lincoln University

In December 2018, Lincoln University will host over 150 young Māori aged 16-24 at the inaugural Taiohi Summit. Over four days, Māori rangatahi will engage in work streams aimed at activating them in the following topics: sport and recreation, mahinga kai, putaiao (science and technology), pakihi (Māori business), ‘Am I Māori enough?’, and whānau ora. A manifesto for taiohi summarising the discussions will be produced.

Quarterly regional hui led by local stakeholders as well as online engagement will enable the young people to work on identified priorities from the hui and look at opportunities to lead and implement them locally. This allows for a regional approach that is tailored to the regional resources available to taiohi while drawing on national resources where available.

“The Partnership Fund Board is encouraged to see hui and on-going mentoring such as this that support our taiohi to lead action on regional issues and deliver projects and initiatives addressing issues they are passionate about,” says Rachel Hopkins, MYD Partnership Fund Board Chair.

“Lincoln University is excited about the opportunity to engage with these young people and to support them as they explore their culture and the ways in which they can build a future for themselves and play a leadership role in their communities,” says Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University.

Additional Information

Ministry of Youth Development - Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi - Partnership Fund

A key aspect of the direction for the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) is the establishment of partnerships with the business and philanthropic sectors, iwi and other government organisations to collectively engage with and collaborate to support quality youth development opportunities. Read more about the Partnership Fund.

KAIKŌURA OUTDOOR PROGRAMME

About Whenua Iti Outdoors

Whenua Iti Outdoors offers experiential education in the outdoors focused on personal development and leadership training. Its mission is "To achieve positive change in individuals and communities". It recognises and values the benefits of being in the outdoors, the challenge of the unpredictability of nature, and the growth that comes from experiential learning.

Partners: Sport Tasman, Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai, New Zealand Recreation Association, Sport New Zealand, Kaikōura District Council, Kaikōura High School, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura

INITIATE.ACTIVATE

About Lions Clubs New Zealand

Lions Clubs New Zealand is part of a global organisation with 1.4 million members in 208 countries. Its motto is “We Serve” and all members are volunteers who serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding.

TUIA RANGATAHI PROGRAMME

About Mayors Taskforce for Jobs

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs was established in 2000 and is a nationwide network of New Zealand’s mayors, working together towards a vision that all young people aged under 25 are engaged in appropriate education, training, work or other positive activities in their communities.

Partners: Local Councils

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

About Lincoln University

Lincoln University’s mission is to help feed the world, protect the future, and live well. To achieve this mission, Lincoln is positioned to work alongside industry, the community, and people from around the globe. The University’s qualifications range from certificate level through to PhD - and its teaching and research covers all activity associated with the land-based sectors to meet the needs of not only Aotearoa New Zealand but also the world.

Partners: Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Te Runaka ki Otautahi o Kai Tahu and Te Whare Putahi, Te Awhiorangi