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Letting young people set their own goals for development is one of the factors behind a successful youth leadership programme run out of Manurewa Marae.
Taiohi Whai Oranga is a finalist in the National Youth Awards being presented at parliament tonight, and it’s also up for an I Am Auckland award later in the week.
Chief executive Deidre Otene says about 30 young people are involved in the main scheme, with more taking part in feeder programmes at intermediate and secondary schools in the area.
She says despite coming from tough backgrounds the rangatahi have shown they can step up.
"So they’re young people from our community who have a passion for Manurewa and specifically for the marae, who have been doing voluntary community service at the marae since they were born, a lot of them, and now have taken on leadership roles of evaluation and research and looking at what works throughout New Zealand that can enhance their community," Ms Otene says.
Taiohi Whai Oranga also supports young people who want to enhance their education, or to pursue internships with an eye to careers in health or youth development.
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