We’d love to kōrero! Please email the team at korowaitupu@arataiohi.org.nz who can connect with you by email, phone or online as required.
Who can apply to Korowai Tupu?
Korowai Tupu is for youth workers who are already working alongside young people and who view Youth Work as their professional identity. Korowai Tupu is not an education pathway, so it is not the avenue for starting a Youth Work career: individuals entering the field are encouraged to gain some experience or undergo a formal qualification before applying to Korowai Tupu.
What do you need to apply to Korowai Tupu?
To apply to Korowai Tupu, you need to be able to pass certain criteria and show evidence of your Youth Work understanding and practice. We encourage anyone with previous Youth Work experience or qualifications in youth development or Youth Work to apply.
A complete application to Korowai Tupu includes:
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Undergoing a police vet*, including suppling two forms of ID
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Provision of references from a supervisor/ manager AND a young person you have worked with, who can speak to how you practice Youth Work
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An up-to-date CV
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Copies of any qualifications, professional development or training you have completed that is relevant to your Youth Work practice
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Responses to each of the Core Competencies for Youth Work which outline your understanding and application of Youth Work; these can be provided in writing or as video/ audio uploads. There are prompts and key questions to help you give comprehensive responses.
Once your application has been confirmed as complete, it is assessed by the Korowai Tupu team to determine if you meet the standards of entry to the professional association.
*Please note that outcomes of the check don’t necessarily determine eligibility. Where there are any concerns regarding the results of your police check we will contact you to discuss this and what options there are moving forward.
If you are aware your police check will reveal convictions and would like to provide additional information about your police check and/or your journey since any conviction received please note it in your application.
Who will assess my application?
Decisions are made by a Korowai Tupu assessor, who are individuals with strong Youth Work experience and leadership in cultural competency particularly te ao Māori. Assessors are members of Korowai Tupu who work to ensure an inclusive, fair and efficient membership process for Korowai Tupu. Assessors cross-check their application decisions annually to ensure there is consistency in our decision-making.
What about qualifications?
If you can provide evidence that you have completed one of the following courses after 2018, then we can fast track your application!
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The Weltec-Whitireia Bachelor or Youth Development
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The Praxis Diploma of Youth Work
Applying outside Aotearoa?
No, as a New Zealand-based professional association, we can only accept applications from youth workers living in Aotearoa.
If a person becomes a Korowai Tupu Member whilst living in Aotearoa but then moves overseas, they can choose whether to maintain their membership whilst living abroad.
What are the fees?
There is a one-off application fee of $90 (plus GST). This is charged at the beginning of your application process. If you do not complete your application and later wish to reapply, a new application fee will be charged.
Korowai Tupu Members are charged an annual fee, based on their employment status:
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Full-time (30+ hours): $150 (plus GST)
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Part-time (less than 30 hours): $90 (plus GST)
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Volunteer or Student: $75 (plus GST)
The annual renewal date is 1 July for membership fees. If you sign up during the year, you pay a percentage according to a pro-rated payment system until you are aligned with the renewal date.
Who pays my fees?
This is for you to determine alongside any organisations where you serve as a youth worker – whether paid or voluntarily. Currently, approximately half of active Korowai Tupu Members have their fees paid by their workplace, with the remaining half paying their fees directly.
If your paid mahi is Youth Work (or closely aligned) we encourage you to chat with your employer to determine if they will cover the application and annual fees. If Korowai Tupu membership is an expectation of your employer, then it would be expected that the organisation cover these costs.