Whaingaroa has always been a whānau centred community with a focus on relationships, culture and the environment. For youth, the small town vibe increases the sense of connectedness between them as further helps to foster a sense of uniqueness and individuality about the community as a whole. Youth also appreciate that there is a lot of support behind promoting the importance of both culture and the environment with local stories and history underpinning the community identity.
Whaingaroa currently has the potential to provide many opportunities for youth; however, no strategy exists to capitalise on these opportunities to create support systems for the youth population. School leavers often move away from the Whaingaroa township to access education, accommodation or employment if they cannot access in their home town. A rapidly growing community with a big influx of new residents, there is a need to prioritise support for youth in Whaingaroa.
A diverse community with a global-village feel, there are many talented individuals in our community that could contribute to the overall outcome of youth development tin Raglan. The youth in the community have a strong awareness of cultural and environmental values.
Whaingaroa’s key asset is the natural environment which creates many opportunities for recreational activity (Papahua, Ngarunui Beach, Manu Bay, Mt Karioi, etc.). We also have a number of venues (YOT Club, Town Hall, Raglan Club, Rock-it, Orca, Scout Room, sport venues – Tennis/Ruby, Gyms, sport groups- yoga, mediation) As well as other places of value like the skate park/camp ground, pump track , BTM track, etc. Kokiri centre.
Local youth, educators, health service providers, change makers, Iwi/hapu community, parents, funding bodies, local government, local committees and decision making bodies, local business owners, mentors and influential people, local sports groups and clubs, Karioi Project, Business Chamber, Community House, Arts organisations and groups, Te Mauri Tau, Raglan Community radio, WEC, Raglan Chronicle, Schools – Te Uku/Te Mata/Waitetuna/RAS, Poutama Tane, West Coast Health, Marae.
Youth Reps, Surfside Youth, Poutama Tāne, Leadership Programme -Akaroa, Youth Week, Gateway programme, Star Courses, Council Youth Engagement and Action plan, Sports groups, Karioi Project, Te Mauri Tau, Soundsplash, Te Ao Marama, Feed the Kids (Margaret), Maui Dolphin Day, the Arts, School Gala Days, Matariki Celebrations, Recreational and Enviornment Youth Groups, New Year Parade, Christmas In The Park.
There are a number of funding organisations that are relevant to Raglan and the Waikato region, specifically (Raglan Community Charitable Trust, Lions Club, Raglan Community Board, WDC, WEL Energy, DIA – Lotteries, Trust Waikato, local business Community Cash Funds) as well as project based and youth-specific funding and support opportunities (eg. Creative Communities NZ, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Community Matters Org, Ākina, Vodafone, Tainui, Maori Trusts etc).
National and regional youth services (Real Waikato, Zeal etc), local counsellors, budgeting, Health, Mental Health, Creative development.
Most common themes from the community
Community youth recreation and/or learning facility
Education & employment opportunities for youth
Support services for youth (health, education, etc.)
Facility & infrastructure upgrades
Community gym with indoor pool and courts
Creating opportunities for education and employment.
More connectivity and infrastructure.
Creating opportunities to engage with the community.
Housing opportunities for youth.
Create a space that is specifically for youth.
Health and wellbeing focus.
More support for sports, recreation and adventure.
Every young person transitioning to work or study.
Possible pathways toward achieving these aspirations
Indoor sports facility, indoor youth facility, free koha, table tennis, pool tables, air hockey, swim pool.
Support the young people to create a youth hub.
Every young person transitioning to work or study
(eg Otorohanga’s policy)
- Mentoring, training programmes, internships, massive open online course (MOOC), career expos, connect schools with businesses to build on employment skills
- Identify youth leaders and influencers, mentoring, take the community to the youth, create platforms for them to share their ideas and a forum where youth issues can be discussed.
- A youth hub/centre for youth, dedicated space for youth to feel safe and unjudged.
- More opportunities for participation in arts, sports, recreation and adventure and other activities. Make information available about what groups exist for youth to participate in, support for travel outside of Raglan like a youth van, mentoring for those that have special interest areas and show passion. If we can show that there is demand for a dedicated space we can present a case for a dedicated recreation centre.
- Make areas of Raglan accessible for youth who don’t always have access to a car or ride for example transport services to beach and back. More walkways and cycleways and upgrade existing footpaths for safety and usability.
- Housing solutions e.g. social housing, a memorandum of understanding with local rental property providers that allow for particular properties to be put aside for youth
- Promote active, healthy and holistic lifestyle. Mental health support. Make sure information is accessible.
- More extra curricular programmes for youth including holiday programmes.
- Tuākana tēina relationship building
- Digital and general business skills programme for youth
- Connection between schools to share information and support each other e.g. sharing resources.
- Investment in Raglan Area School to provide more specialist subject options for senior students.
- Community recreation facility or hub with indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, meeting rooms
- Don’t put restrictions on youth who contribute to keeping this town ‘vibrant’.
- Champion youth doing positive things
- Environmental innovation hub
- Skatepark upgrade, skate/bike paths with features. Remove ‘no skate’ signs
- Create youth training programmes
