Leaders of tomorrow? Leaders for today!

2023-05-10 -

WHAT IS YOUTH WEEK?

Held every year, Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised by young New Zealanders to celebrate the talents, passion, and success of local young people. Youth Week recognises the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Youth Week aims to amplify young people’s valuable contributions to the communities by supporting them to design, deliver and evaluate all aspects of the week. Let us make Aotearoa a country where young people are vibrant, optimistic and are supported and encouraged to accept challenges.

Events are designed to encourage young people to take on challenges, share ideas and focus on the positive aspects of being young. The week also recognises the young workers, youth service providers and others working with and for youth.

(Young people identified as those aged between 12 years and 24 years old)

HISTORY

Youth Week began in 1995 with a handful of events scattered throughout Canada. Since then, it has gathered momentum and is celebrated each year in countries all around the world. Aotearoa New Zealand first marked Youth Week in the late 1990s, with NZAAHD weaving the first festivals and later entrusting its celebrations to Ara Taiohi in 2010.

OUR KAUPAPA

Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. A national membership-based organisation with over 1600 personal and organisational members representing a diverse range of groups and practitioners that work with young people.

KOROWAI TUPU PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Korowai Tupu is the Professional Association for Youth Work in Aotearoa. Professing to young people, their whānau and the community that we will form genuine relationships that promote positive youth development.

If you believe your work with young people and your ability to advocate for them would be enhanced by having your professional identity recognised, then applying for Korowai Tupu membership is for you.

Youth Work is a unique profession and Aotearoa is a unique nation. As such, youth workers have designed Korowai Tupu to ensure it is inclusive of both voluntary and paid youth workers, formal qualifications, informal training, and values experience in the field.

Become a registered member of your profession and take your professional practice to the next level. WHAT WE DO

Our aim is for all young people in

New Zealand to be able to succeed in, contribute to and enjoy life.

The Ministry of Youth Development is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

We support this by focusing on the following areas:

youth development approach when working with young people and that deliver wellbeing outcomes for young people

to positive youth development programmes to help ‘level the playing field.’ Seven priority areas have been identified for particular focus to help achieve this. o Rangatahi Māori o Pacific young people o Young rainbow people o Young disabled people o Young women o Young people from ethnic communities (those from a refugee and immigrant background) o Young people living in the regions. Working in partnership with the business and philanthropic sectors, iwi, and other government organisations to jointly invest in delivering wellbeing outcomes for young people.

Supporting the continual growth of youth sector capability.

Supporting youth enterprise and entrepreneurship initiatives to help prepare young people for the future work environment.

Ensuring that rangatahi have a voice that is heard and have opportunities for real decision-making, including at the governance table.

Celebrating and recognising the achievements and potential of young people.