Minister of Youth Affairs supports Youthtown's work with young people of Auckland

Youth Affairs Minister and MP for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye recently visited Youthtown, one of New Zealand’s oldest and leading Youth organisations at their flagship Nelson Street branch in Auckland City.
Minister Kaye first visited Youthtown as part of its 80 years young celebration in 2012 and was keen to re-visit the Auckland facility which has been a central Auckland icon since 1968.
“New Zealand Youthtown is a trusted organisation, and partner of the Government, doing great work throughout the country to develop the skills, confidence and sense of belonging that young people need to grow into positive contributing adults in their communities,” Ms Kaye says.
Minister Kaye’s visit coincided with Youthtown’s school holiday programmes and so she was able to see primary and intermediate aged Youthtowners enjoying Holiday Programme activities that included art, sports and team games, kayaking and snorkelling in Youthtown’s 25m pool.
Minister Kaye also had opportunity to meet with Youthtown Youth Squad members (a mentorship and development programme for secondary school age students).The squad members from Auckland’s Central, Panmure and Avondale Youth Squads were taking part in a two day leadership development course. Minister Kaye mingled and chatted with them as they took part in a collaborative art piece representing the circle of courage, the youth development philosophy on which all Youthtown programmes are based and the squad shared with the Minister the benefits they have personally gained from being part of the youth squad.
Youthtown CEO Paula Kearns also gave the Minister a preview of some of the key findings in the 2013 Youthtown Voice of New Zealand Survey, supported by Nadine Metzinger a Principal Researcher with Point Research, the specialist research agency that Youthtown commissioned to lead the research.
“I was very interested in the results of Youthtown’s Voice of New Zealand survey, in particular what young people had to say on their opportunities for employment, volunteering and how they see their future in New Zealand” says Ms Kaye.
The Youthtown Voice of New Zealand survey gives young New Zealander’s age 13-18 a voice on things that mattered to them on a whole range of topics.
For more information about all of Youthtown’s Programmes visit www.youthtown.org.nz.