< Back Karen Shepherd Tēnā koe I am a Pākehā women living in semi-rural Manawatū. I am an aunty to 8 fantastic nieces and nephews, ranging in age between 16 and 28, and they are my delight in life as I have watched them grown in to fabulous adults. I spent my teens and early 20's in unpaid youthwork, but in my worklife I have a qualifications and experience as a social worker and in supervision. I have been working as an independent supervisor for over 20 years now. I am a warm and thoughtful person, and also prone to critique and analysis, and looking at the big picture as well as the detail. When not working I love watching science fiction, going to the beach and have been known to play hockey. My Approach I encourage supervision to be a collaborative experience between myself and the supervisee, where we both bring our expertise, experience and knowledge. I draw on both supervision and social work frameworks for my approach, always in line with adherence to te tiriri o Waitangi and with inclusion of mātauranga Māori, and hope that our time together will be supervisee led. When working with youthworkers the Mana Taiohi also becomes central. I also take a stance that self-care is essential, and seek to always support and encourage wellness of the supervisee to be able to give passionately in their role. Qualifications BSW Post Grad Dip in Social Service Supervision (with Distintion) Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly karenconsultant@outlook.com Previous Next

Qualifications Check out these youth work and youth development courses and institutions in Aotearoa. Praxis, WelTec and University of Canterbury are Korowai Tupu endorsed providers. Graduates with any of the following diplomas or degrees from these institutions automatically meet the Korowai Tupu Core Competency entry requirements. Providers To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Revolution Youth Week Waiata Listen now A group of rising artists from Te Karanga Trust have released a new waiata, Revolution , to mark Youth Week 2026. The waiata is a reflection on this year's theme: "Our Voices Matter, We Deserve to be Heard." It's also an example of Youth Week in action, demonstrating what can happen when rangatahi are given the space and support to create something themselves. The waiata brought together a diverse range of voices from across Tāmaki Makaurau. AKL MADZ (Pākehā, Indian) led the production and creative direction. TY (Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara) brought depth and emotion through her vocals. BRDG3 (Samoan, Cook Island, Indian) delivered spoken word and rap grounded in their identity and lived experience, and pRieZt (Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou) contributed raw honesty and perspective. Save to your playlist "Revolution shows what happens when rangatahi are given space to speak. They use their voices to push for change and be heard. Our role is to listen." TK White, Director of Programmes and Community Engagement, Te Karanga Charitable Trust.

Kaupapa Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. We are a national membership based organisation connected to over 3,700 individuals and organisations who represent a diverse range of groups and practitioners that work with young people. Youth Week Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised by young New Zealanders to celebrate the talents, passion and success of local young people. INVOLVE INVOLVE is Aotearoa’s national youth development biennial conference — a vibrant gathering of youth workers, rangatahi, researchers, and sector leaders. Over two dynamic days, it’s a space to connect, learn, and be inspired through powerful kōrero, creative sessions, and shared experiences that celebrate and strengthen youth work across the motu. MOSAIC Our MOSAIC resources support youth workers to hold safe, meaningful kōrero with rangatahi about racism, discrimination, and values, and to navigate situations where young people express discriminatory views. Our Partnerships

Search the member register of Korowai Tupu, the professional association of Youth Work in Aotearoa Our Current Members Our members are the backbone of our sector, working with young people on a daily basis. This tool allows you to explore our current membership. Search Database Sam Te Kira Wellington Eddy Davis-Rae Otago Sammi Petersen Hodgson N/A Fiona Beals Wellington Davy Walters Wellington Jessica Hedge Wellington Nikki Hurst Wellington Amanda Murray Canterbury Kerryn Carson Auckland Lee Huggins Wellington Charmaine Tuhaka Hawke's Bay Alana Goldsack Otago Juliet Leeming Wellington Josephine Maireroa Auckland Mat Badger Wellington Maleina Gray Canterbury Emma Peek Canterbury Rhiannon Gibbs Auckland Joanna Scott Waikato Siaosi Ulugia Auckland Sharon Davis N/A Paul Thompson Wellington Cheryl Campbell Otago Henio Koloi Wellington Maxine Sweeney N/A Laura Hatwell Wellington Georgia Faofua Auckland Jo Sherwood Canterbury Vincent Nathan Northland Chillion Sanerivi Auckland Lauren Thorley Wellington Richard Chambers Canterbury Briarley Birch Northland Miranda Palmer Auckland Jacob Gerken Southland Lorna Gray Wellington Eleanor Pōtaka Auckland Chloe Bisley-Wright Wellington Lauren Matapo Taranaki Sarah Finlay-Robinson Auckland Steph Brook Auckland Tess Parker N/A Hariata Makiha Auckland Shane Ah-You Auckland Amber Hearn Auckland Jeanne O'Brien Manawatu-Whanganui Rob Luisi Auckland Brian Johnson Canterbury Joanne Nowak Wellington Tania Liuagamatagi Auckland Samuel Hansen N/A Keith Robertson Waikato Shannon Clarke Waikato Lisa Hann Wellington William Mark-Brown Auckland Imogen Stone Auckland Abigail Clark Wellington Victoria Carson N/A Emma Drake N/A Jelena Ahokava N/A Abraham Kunin Auckland Matthew Rongo Auckland Shannan Wong Wellington Emily Skogstad Wellington Kelli Bennett Auckland Annie Phillipson Overseas Kahu Ritchie Wellington Dylan Perfect-Tait Waikato Helen Perkins Auckland Vicki Hawkins Auckland Diane Jerry Southland Del Crummer Auckland Matt Grey Auckland Debbie Houston-Tupou Wellington Tayla Taylor Canterbury Lloyd Martin Hawke's Bay Brittany Webber Auckland Raelene Hoogeveen Waikato Saskia Walsh Nelson-Tasman Emelita Luisi Auckland Grace Gillard Wellington Richard Bell Wellington Cherrill Rave Auckland Isabel Lemanutau Wellington Akenehe Pereira Wellington Rod Baxter Wellington Adam John Brown-Rigg Auckland Joanah Phillips Taranaki Jade Eru Wellington Beth Gibbes Auckland Soni Kula Marlborough Rosie Whaitiri Manawatu-Whanganui Jo Lane Marlborough Reagan Kupa Waikato Chris Martin Canterbury Stewart Irwin Wellington Karen Howieson Nelson-Tasman Lisa Gatward Auckland Morgan Goodwin Auckland Lizzie Pringle Wellington Heather Blissett Wellington Briana Fleming Wellington Trystan Swain Canterbury Chris Efford West Coast Trey Subritzky Northland Wendy Savieti N/A Henry Pouniu Auckland Wesley Finau Wellington Kaitlin Kirk Wellington

Whakapapa - Mana Taiohi Here is how Mana Taiohi came to be. We acknowledge the many voices and hands who helped to shape the principles and those who continue to give them life and meaning. Context The Youth Development Principles of Aotearoa (Mana Taiohi) inform the wider ecosystem that supports young people in Aotearoa to thrive. They are the result of a review of the principles of youth development previously expressed in the Youth Development Strategy of Aotearoa (2002) Sector Engagement and Research Many threads were woven to make the Mana Taiohi framework. We embarked on a journey of engagement and review to ensure the final principles reflect the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa and the current youth development sector. The Kete Kupenga framework was used to consider the information gathered. It featured a loose diamond weave that starts simply and develops into an intricate knot where double strands meet. The four double strands feeding into the knot represent components of intersectional youth development: te Ao Māori (Māori world), taiohi (young people), kaimahi (workers: people who work with young people, including a Pacific fono) and mātauranga (knowledge, research). The knots themselves represent key points of whakapapa in those intersections such as events or publications. The space between the weave represents wairua, time and place. In order to encompass the range of contributions for the Arotake (review) of the YDSA, and to reflect calls for a kaupapa Māori and Treaty-based concept, a Māori framework was developed. Taiohi Kaimahi Te Ao Māori Pasifika fono Sector Review Literature Review The collective voices of over 1,000 young people were gathered and collated into two reports, Ngā Kōrero Hauora o Ngā Taiohi and Strengthening The Youth Development Strategy . We heard from over 600 youth development practitioners, including coming together over 10 regional hui: Kaimahi Voice - The Voice of Practitioners This report captures the voice of Ngā Kaihoe (through wānaga around the motu) with a te ao Māori lens on the principles of the YDSA: Ngā Whakaaro Ngā Kaimahi Māori A Pasifika fono reviewing the YDSA led to this report: Pasifika Review A report by the Centre for Social Impact mapped the context of the youth development ecosystem in Aotearoa: The Youth Development Ecosystem An Aotearoa-based literature review: He Arotake Tuhinga The Outcome All of the above feedback was collated and reviewed by a focus group, as well as receiving linguistic advice from a translator accredited by the Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori | Māori Language Commission. Over 100 kaimahi participated in a survey, providing feedback on the draft principles. Feedback was summarised and reported to the focus group, then designed and printed. We launched the new look principles, now referred to as Mana Taiohi, at our AGM on 22 October 2019.

Korowai Tupu Leadership Our Team Korowai Tupu is led by a team of youth workers, our Korowai Tupu Rōpū, who are all passionate about supporting young people’s wellbeing through the profession of Youth Work. Tyler Ngatai Practice Lead Renee Ngatai Administrator Korowai Tupu Rōpū Members The Rōpū steers the work of Korowai Tupu and acts in an advisory capacity to the Ara Taiohi Board. Isabel Lemanutau Co-Chair Mana Mokupuna Tayla Taylor Senior Consultant Leadership Lab, Kaiārahi – VOYCE Whakarongo Mai Raelene Hoogeven Co-Chair Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust Richard Bell Senior Advisor Youth Enterprises – Ministry of Youth Development Chloe Bisley-Wright Korowai Tupu Rōpū Member Enviroschools Te Whanganui-a-Tara-Community Facilitator

Find out about our offerings - Trainings | Products | Downloadable Resources Resources Your place to access resources and training that strengthen your youth development practice, help you support young people, and get you linked up with other amazing kaimahi in the sector. Trainings Attend an upcoming Code of Ethics or Mana Taiohi workshop as an individual or talk with us about delivering a training for your organisation. Find Out More Shop Resources Ara Taiohi has a range of publications and resources designed to guide and support those who work with young people and enhance youth engagement. Find Out More Download Resources Many of our resources are available to download free of charge - supporting youth workers and the wider sector to access tools and insights that strengthen their practice. Find Out More

Annual Reports There is so much to celebrate and be inspired by in the youth development sector. Click the links below to read about our amazing kaimahi, rōpū, and members' achievements. 2024 - 2025 Report Our 2024–2025 Annual Report is out now - celebrating a year of connection, growth, and impact in the youth development sector. 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Our Vision and Goals Our Vision An empowered ecosystem of youth development, where rangatahi thrive. Tūruapō He taiao whakapūmau whakawhanake taiohi, e pūāwai mai ai a rangatahi. Strategic Direction 2024-2030 Ara Taiohi weaves within our sector as a partner, an advocate and a resource for those who dedicate their lives to journeying with taiohi. 2024-2030 Full Strategy Our Goals The following goals outline our strategic direction for the coming years as we continue to uphold the mana of young people in Aotearoa, support those who work with rangatahi, and champion positive change in the sector. Connect The Sector by weaving networks of support, understanding and collaboration. Over the next 6 years, we aim to: > Provide opportunities for intentional engagement across the motu > Codesign equitable solutions for diverse communities within the sector > Paint a clearer picture of the sector at large > Build deeper relationships and connections with existing and developing networks/communities > Foster a sense of belonging where the sector all see themselves as part of Ara Taiohi Raise The Standards and accountability by embracing learning, innovation, and continuous improvement. Over the next 6 years, we aim to: > Continue to create and grow accessible and relevant trainings and resources in person and online > Curate evidence-based mātauranga that further informs policy and practice > Strengthen cohesive workforce development structures and improvement plans – quality > Affirm and advance the professional identity of Youth Work Champion Youth Development by advocating for the rights, needs and potential of rangatahi and our sector. Over the next 6 years, we aim to: > Build influence in order to speak on systemic issues affecting rangatahi, the youth development workforce and the youth sector > Shift the dial on the perception of young people in Aotearoa > Clarify and promote the value of youth development, Youth Work, and Mana Taiohi > Build understanding and implementation of Mana Taiohi systemically > Invest in the relationships and structures that build capacity for Whai Wāhitanga across society Promote Sustainability by nurturing environments for the sector to thrive. Over the next 6 years, we aim to: > Tell the story of the sector’s whakapapa and pūrakau to strengthen our turangawaewae > Embed a collective commitment to Te Tiriti for youth development, under the guidance of/ informed by Ngā Kaihoe > Continue to grow internal infrastructure for longevity > Advocate for the state of Youth Work, its impact and the need for appropriate investment > Promote care for te taiao within our communities

Mātauranga With young people, we are empowered by rich and diverse mātauranga that encompasses good knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Mātauranga refers to knowledge, wisdom, understanding and skill. It includes research, individual experience, customary and cultural knowledge, and the beliefs and ideals held by young people and their whānau. Good information is useful, timely, meaningful, honours indigenous thinking, evidence based and translated for the recipient to reflect on. We can strengthen mātauranga by weaving together these different forms of knowledge and making them relevant to the decisions facing young people and their whānau. Being empowered by rich and diverse mātauranga informs both young people and people who work with young people towards personal growth. Young people actively participate in making meaning of information and are supported to holistically make positive choices for them, and their whānau. People who work with young people are supported to actively reflect on their relationships and practice Mana Taiohi with JJ and Arohauni Mātauranga in Practice: Kaupapa Māori Frameworks in Ngā Tikanga Whānaketanga – He Arotake Tuhinga In this expert from Kaiparahuarahi (Vol.1, No.2), Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Dr Kelsey Deane, and Hilary Dutton explore the concept of Mātauranga. Read Kaiparahuarahi Kōrero Cafe: Mātauranga Māturang and the Code of Ethics 22. Kaitiakitanga | Supervision 23. Te Rangahau Me Te Arotake | Research and Evaluation 24. Te Whakapakari Me Te Aro | Professional Development Explore Mana Taiohi Click on the images below to explore each principle and see relevant resources.

< Back Movie Afternoon Film Wellington City Libraries Target Age: 13-18 Address: 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037, New Zealand When: 23 May 2026 1:30 am enquiries@wcl.govt.nz Visit the library during the week and vote on the film you want to see! Come back on Saturday, and we'll show the winning movie. Bring a friend or fly solo. Seats are limited, so sign up at the Lower Ground desk 30 minutes before the screening starts to secure your seat. For young people aged 13+. Previous Next