supporting rangatahi
A collaborative approach.
Established in 2022, the Whāingaroa Youthwork Collective (WYC) provides a collaborative environment for youth workers, mentors, and community supporters.
Since its inception, WYC has, with support from Raglan Naturally Community Trust, hosted a myriad of rangatahi events, supported rangatahi involvement in community projects, and advocated for rangatahi voices in local decision-making.
The WYC has helped shift community narratives around rangatahi; identified key gaps and resourcing needs for rangatahi support; and strengthened collaboration among those working with rangatahi in Whāingaroa.
“This Collective is the only space in the district where so many people come together to support youth.”
a community research report
Understanding the Needs of Youth in Whāingaroa.
The WYC conducted community research in 2024 to further understand the needs of rangatahi in Whāingaroa. This research supported the establishment of the Raglan Community House Youth Development worker in 2024.
The Raglan Chronicle
Local collective launched to support youth in Raglan
In late 2022, a group of like-minded community members came together to launch the Whāingaroa Youthworker Collective – Ngā Whakaruruhau Mahuri.
Spearheaded by Joseph Rao (ex Raglan Area School teacher), Mike Rarere (Raglan Community House) and Gabrielle Parson (Raglan Naturally), the collective have been meeting regularly with other locals that are passionate about supporting youth in our community.
The Raglan Chronicle
Rangatahi Take Their Place for Youth Week.
With the theme ‘Take Our Place’, Raglan rangatahi certainly did just that across a variety of activities for Youth Week. Youth week is an annual festival celebrating rangatahi across the motu, led by Ara Taiohi, an organisation that enables young people to create inclusive youth events across Aotearoa.
The week’s events in Whāingaroa began with Freedom to Fly offering a free gym session to 10 young people keen to try something new. Led by Jair, there were plenty of smiles, laughs and surely some sore bodies the next day!
The Raglan Chronicle
Rangatahi get creative for Youth Week
On Saturday 14 May local rangatahi came together to take part in a couple of creative events geared towards celebrating youth in our community.
“Our voices matter and we deserve to be heard” was the theme of Youth Week this year. Youth Week is a yearly festival run by Ara Taiohi, an organisation that enables young people to create inclusive youth events across Aotearoa. It runs from the 7th-15th of May and has a new theme each year.
Locally in Whāingaroa, organisers brought the community together through the opportunity of self-expression.
