Youth in Local Government Awards 2004

Youth in Local Government Awards 2004

Pu Maia Rangatahi- The Spirit of Youth

““Pu Maia Rangatahi- The Spirit of Pu Maia Rangatahi- The Spirit of YouthYouthTaranaki Connections – New Plymouth District Taranaki Connections – New Plymouth District Council winner - Youth in Local Government Council winner - Youth in Local Government

Awards- 2004Awards- 2004 The Needo Waitara has a disproportionately large percentage of the district’s

youth unemployed

o Waitara youth have suffered immeasurably with the negative public perception cast on them following the high profile cases of: ‘Steven Wallace’ and ‘The Piggott murder’.

o Waitara has had substantial closures of key industries which used to employ significant numbers of young people. This has impacted negatively with unemployment remaining high and produced high levels of intergenerational benefit dependency.

o Waitara High School had a manageable number of students to offer quality transitional support to.

Pu Maia Rangatahi- The Spirit Pu Maia Rangatahi- The Spirit of Youthof Youth

Support for Taranaki Connectionso Mayor of New Plymouth – Peter Tennent

A Core-group member of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), Tennent was an enthusiastic supporter of MTFJ strategic goal that:

“By 2005, no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in Taranaki”

The Mayor’s leadership role was significant because:

1. It lent validity to the belief that ‘locally’ we were 100% capable of developing a model that would work for our young people.

2. Connecting the key players in the community was made easier because his agenda was transparent, and more importantly it transcended politics and connected everyone’s desire that ‘WE all want a positive future for our young people in Taranaki!’.


Support for Taranaki Connectionso Taranaki Employment Support Foundation together with

Community Development (NPDC) got buy-in from Waitara High and the following agencies: MSD, TPK, TEC, CYF &Careers Services Rapuara. This collaboration meant that a YOUTH CHARTER was signed by all parties to formalise their commitment to our youth.

o The Waitara Community was ready to try something new to assist their young people from school to work. Consultation and collaboration were a high priority to find out exactly what young people wanted.

o NPDC made a commitment to support TC by releasing 10 staff to volunteer as Personal Coaches/Mentors.

o Nationally, the framework for Youth Development was released. Internationally, Youth Transition services were working well in the UK & Australia.


The Aim of Taranaki Connectionso That ALL young people receive an integrated and holistic service that

provides: support, guidance and access to professional services to assist them in designing their pathways over the long term up to 5 years.

o The service is available to ALL young people. There is no targeting of ‘at-risk youth’. Everyone gets the same opportunity to receive assistance whether they are high-achievers or not. TCX recognises that we all need support at different times of our lives- regardless of ability or career choice.

o Participation is purely voluntary- there is no statutory obligation to use TCX. Young people want to be there because it WORKS!

o It is Not a project or a programme. It is a purpose, a goal and shared commitment, delivering results by many independent strategies.


The StructureA Holistic Framework that consists of:

o Governance Support that provides leadership and resources

o Professional Support that provides intensive personal support from the TC staff, personal coaches and by referral to specialist services (i.e. careers)

o Community Support that provides individual, family, whanau, hapu, iwi, community and business support

o Peer Support provides youth group activity


How it actually works?o TCX has a ‘shop front’ on the main street of Waitara- it is

accessible and youth friendly.

o TCX meets with students before they leave school- delivering a Youth driven career exploration programme “Dream School” .

o Once registered with TCX young people are offered the chance to have their own ‘Personal Coach’. PCs are derived from organisations within the network and from the community. Some participate as part of their job, NPDC allows staff up to 4 hours per week during work time.

o TCX encourages each young person to create their own individual pathway plan. Everyone is followed up on a regular basis to ensure they are on track. Action is taken dependant on need.


Achieving YDSA principles:Taranaki Connections is firmly committed to its local Youth Charter but also to the 6 principles of Youth Development as outlined by the

Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA)

(1)Taranaki Connections was and is shaped by the ‘big picture’

(2)Taranaki Connections is about young people being connected

(3)Taranaki Connections is based on a consistent strengths based approach

(4)Taranaki Connections happens through quality relationships

(5)Taranaki Connections recognises that Youth Development is triggered when young people fully participate

(6)Taranaki Connections recognises that Youth Development needs good information from staff/personal coaches and resources


The Resultso Within the first 9 months of operation, 80 youth have registered with

Taranaki Connections. 93% are now in work, further education or training.

o Recruitment of 19 community Personal Coaches- who have received specialised youth worker training and who are actively working with young people. Recruitment is on-going.

o Developed a ‘Waitara Youth Services Directory’

o Developed the “Dream School” a collaborative project with Young people and Career Services Rapuara.

o Facilitated and produced the YOUTH CHARTER which strengthens the resolve to work together as agencies.

o TCX facilitates meetings with professional and community groups to ensure the project keeps momentum and reflects what the community want

o TCX facilitates active consultation with young people to reflect what they want


ConclusionThe establishment of Taranaki Connections in Waitara has been a huge success on many levels. It has successfully woven the principles of the YDSA with the particular needs of Waitara youth. Taranaki Connections has been a very powerful means to realise:

The Mayor’s statement that collaboration is possible because essentially- we all want the same thing, ‘WE all want a positive future for our young people in Taranaki!’

Secondly, young people themselves have a feeling of connectedness and belief that they do have choices about their future.


Taranaki Connections is a true community driven project- that seeks to make a difference and

improve the lives of everyone involved.

Youth in Local Government Awards 2004

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