Youth Week 2025 Launches Across Aotearoa: 'Take Our Place – Whai Wāhitanga'

Youth Week 2025 was officially launched last night. The fun-filled event at Te Tai Ohinga | Central City Youth Hub kicked off a week of celebrations taking place across the country to recognise the voices, talents, and the amazingness young people bring to their whānau, their friends, and their communities 

Running from 19–25 May, this year’s theme, ‘Take Our Place: Whai Wāhitanga', emphasises the importance of youth belonging and participation. Young people deserve to be seen, heard, and supported to stand proudly in their identities and aspirations. 

Led by Ara Taiohi, the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa, Youth Week is an annual celebration of young people aged 12–24 and the sector that supports their development. Youth-led events and initiatives throughout the week will spotlight the passions, strengths, and contributions of rangatahi across the motu. 

“Youth Week is the highlight of the year for the youth sector”. said Jane Zintl, CEO of Ara Taiohi.  It is our chance to celebrate, led by rangatahi, the strengths, talents and passions of our taiohi”. 

Speaking at the event, Minister Meager, focused on the message behind this year’s theme, encouraging us all to ‘recognise the talents, achievements and skills [of young people} and the importance of giving them the space to get involved and develop youth leadership skills”. He also emphasised the important role that “our youth sector, and youth organisations do to support our young people’.