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Resources For Youth Workers This online library is full of helpful resources including programme planning and group activity ideas to guidance on capturing youth voice, and more. Resources are listed under each heading. Have a resource that has helped you as a youth worker but don't see it here? Get in touch - we would love to include it. Supervision and Support Healthy youth workers are those who are supported to navigate the diverse challenges of their role. Supervision is a great place to start. EXPLORE OUR SUPERVISOR DATABASE Programme Planning and Facilitation Planning a weekly youth programme or looking for new icebreakers to use at your next workshop? Here are some online resources we have found helpful. - Access 100s of icebreaker, team building, and group activity ideas on Playmeo One of the best things about Playmeo is that you can search by activity type and group size to make your life easier. (Note that there is a paid version but plenty of the activity descriptions are free) - St John Youth have compiled some fantastic icebreakers. - More icebreakers and team activities from Erin Walton Youth Voice and Engagement Whai Wāhitanga is one of our Mana Taiohi principles and but while authentic youth engagement is extremely important, it can sometimes be hard to know where to start. - The Ministry of Youth Development has extensive resources, tools, and reports on how to engage youth voices. - The USA- based ACT for Youth website has some great research and tools for meaningful youth engagement that can be relevant to New Zealand youth workers. Get Qualified There are different pathways to becoming a qualified youth worker here and developing your career in youth development here in Aotearoa. Check out these courses and certifications. Trainings Click here to find out about our upcoming Code of Ethics and Mana Taiohi trainings. Resources to awhina young people Click here to access helpful resources for your young people including crisis helplines. Shop Resources Click here to view our youth development resources including our publication and MOSAIC cards.

MOSAIC Practice Note Download

Tyler Ngatai Practice Lead He/ Him Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Ruanui I advocate for rangatahi and those who work alongside young people. I am a dedicated youth worker grounded in Te Ao Māori values. With whakapapa connections to Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Ruanui, I bring an intersectional lens to my work, recognising the strength and complexity of identity in the lives of young people today. With a background in counselling and over 15 years of experience working with rangatahi, I’ve supported young people to navigate challenges, explore their identities, and stand confidently in who they are. My work spans individual support, whānau-based approaches, and community development. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I work at both community and systems levels to scaffold youth voice and create spaces where rangatahi and those who support them can be their most authentic selves and truly heard. Get in touch to discuss If you’d like to connect or kōrero further about my mahi, I’m always open to sharing ideas and working together to strengthen how we support rangatahi, whether that’s at the grassroots or in leadership spaces. Contact tyler.ngatai@arataiohi.org.nz

Accessible Event Toolkit We are excited to gift this resource to the sector and wider community to ensure that all young people are able to participate and celebrate Youth Week with us. Many thanks to our friends at Deaf Aotearoa for helping us to create this toolkit. We acknowledge that some of these considerations could include a considerable cost and this means that not every event can achieve every point. Our hope is that this toolkit becomes the primary way you plan, prepare, connect and resource your future events. What's an accessible events Ensuring all people are equally able to participate in events including the cultural aspects, networking, attending meetings/conferences and social components. Hosting accessible events provide for a wider range of people to participate and benefit from the events. In this way greater perspectives can be gained. Access for people with disabilities is not only about physical access to buildings for wheelchair users, but also includes access to written information for people with vision impairments and access to public announcements for Deaf people. How can we achieve accessible events? The aim: Apply the Universal Design Principles as a guide or format to host accessible events. These principles integrate various mobility and informative needs. A key aspect incorporates decision making of disabled people from the start. Full accessibility means all people are treated with respect and can maintain their dignity, gaining and offering as much from the gathering as anybody else. Reasonable adjustments to the event are required to be made to ensure accessibility for all. It is essential to consider how the individuals are informed to fully equip people to participate. Easy access information provided to meet disabled people’s needs is a priority, this can be completed in several ways including: A range of marketing with: large clear print audio braille communication systems, video with audio and subtitles/sign language (NZSL). Accessible websites should be provided by communicating with disabled people or disabled organisations to identify specific needs. Event Checklist Download the toolkit in word format Invitation: Use plain language, simple fonts, word format and include in emails, easy read options, assessable venue, and assessable events. Registration: If unsure of a request personally contact the person to discuss specifics. Have an educated welcoming person at the front door to direct people, offer a lowered area and a seat at the registration desk. Transport: Check to see what else the attendee might need and arrange assessable (wheelchair hoist) transport as needed in advance. If possible, arrange for taxi vouchers to be sent to people prior to the event. Parking, ensuring accessible car parking spaces available close to the front door. Signage: Clear signage is essential (event sessions, parking spaces, refreshments, meals, toilets, exits, and other facilities). Consider tactile, visual and audio signage, large print, easy to read and symbols. Venue/facilities: Appropriately sized room for amount of people, easy manoeuvrability for wheelchair users, assessable toilets. Check service dogs are welcome and identify areas where service dogs can be toileted. Check acoustics and set up loop system. Book sign language interpreters (including in Te Reo Māori). Catering: Dietary requirements, staff assistance provided as needed- carrying plates/ serving and serving area at height accessibility. Tables set up for eating and straws available for use. Water for assistance dogs should be checked. Room set up: Lighting should be bright enough for people to see interpreters without harsh or strong lightening for people with visual impairments. Ensure seats and space for wheelchair users. Consider a quiet room or space for those with heightened sensitivity. Documentation: Available in accessible formats including pre-reading and info packs. All documents in plain language using dark text on plain or light-coloured background with size 12 font. Note takers as requested on registration form. Presentation/Stage access: Ramp accessibility, space for wheelchairs to turn, sign language interpreters, and PowerPoint presentations available, big screens used to clearly view presentation, and plain language used. Sound systems with microphones. Reserve seating at the front for people using sign language interpreters. Timeframes reviewed, ensure enough time for breaks, and consider the speed of the presentation. Evaluation/closing: Evaluation to include a section about the accessibility of the event and closing should be done in culturally appropriate manner. Other considerations: Question of personal support, awareness, and review of allergies or those sensitive to soaps or smells etc, and emergency evacuations examined. When hosting an accessible event, full participation, and enablement of everyone attending the event is a necessity and should be considered. Hospitality involves inclusion of all people and cultural rights being honoured and respected

Whakapapa of Youth Week Youth Week began in 1995 with a handful of events scattered throughout Canada. Since then it has gathered momentum and is now celebrated each year in countries all around the world. Aotearoa New Zealand first marked Youth Week in the late 1990s, with NZAAHD weaving the first festivals and later entrusting it’s celebrations to Ara Taiohi in 2010. 2025 Whai Wāhitanga Take Our Place 2024 We may not have it all together, but together we have it all. Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho. 2023 Leaders of (tomorrow?) today! Ehara ahau i te rangatira mō āpōpō, engari he rangatira ahau mō tēnei rā. 2022 Our voices matter. We deserve to be heard. Taringa whakarongo! ki te reo o ngā taiohi. 2021 We’re stronger together. He waka eke noa

Chris Davidson Accountant He/ Him Community focused financial translator I started out as a Chartered Accountant in the corporate world, but working with a few non-profit clients quickly made me realise where my heart truly was - helping communities, especially young people. So, I traded spreadsheets for sociology books, did some extra study, and never looked back. Now, more than 20 years later, I’m still passionate about making a real impact, empowering youth-focused organisations, and loving every moment of it! Get in touch to discuss Finance and billing issues Contact bookkeeping@arataiohi.org.nz

Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics provides an agreed set of guidelines for Youth Work in Aotearoa to ensure that youth work is carried out in a safe, skilled, ethical manner. The Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand is designed for youth workers but is relevant to all individuals working with young people and provides guidance to keep workers and the young people they work with safe. Download Code of Ethics Buy Code of Ethics Book Purpose of the Code of Ethics Ethics are principles that are based in values. These ethics guide our behaviour. GUIDELINES AND ACCOUNTABILITY: This Code of Ethics provides an agreed set of guidelines for Youth Work in Aotearoa, to ensure that Youth Work is carried out in a safe, skilled, ethical manner. It is one of the ways youth workers hold one another accountable for our practice, and in doing so protects the credibility of Youth Work. FRAMEWORK: The Code of Ethics also provides youth workers with a frame of reference from which to develop ethical awareness, to create discussion and debate of ethical issues, and to implement good and ethical practice for both youth workers and young people. POWER AND PRIVILEGE: The Youth Work relationship is both a privileged relationship and a power relationship. While we try to minimise the power imbalance, we must acknowledge it. This is what makes ethics central to Youth Work. PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY: The Code of Ethics supports the identity of Youth Work. Many professions have Codes of Ethics. While some ethical standards will be consistent across these, the uniqueness of a profession must be encapsulated in its code of ethics if this is to truly guide behaviour. Notes In publishing the Code of Ethics, we acknowledge that this is a living document and will be reviewed regularly. This document is one aspect of developing and offering ethical practice, and should be used in conjunction with supervision, specific training and development, and an awareness of changes in our practice and wider society. The Code of Ethics is intended to be consistent with the responsibilities of Tāngata Whenua and Tāngata Tiriti, agreed to in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ara Taiohi encourages youth workers, and those working with young people in diverse settings, to critically reflect on this version of the Code, offer feedback and continue to make suggestions for change at any time.

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

Sharing the impact of Youth Work Every youth worker can tell you how their work has helped shape the lives of ngā rangatahi they work with; who was able to get their driver's license, who developed the confidence that helped them get a part-time job or who would have ended up in the youth justice system with their help. They know the courage and determination it takes each young person to confront their personal challenges. Too often, this impact goes unseen or isn’t recognised in the way it should be. Our 'Youth Work Impact Project' mahi with Hands for Impact is all about telling the story of Youth Work's collective impact in Aotearoa. Together, we are creating an SROI analysis and ratio that will demonstrate the impact of our sector, the 'social value' we are bringing to communities across the motu, and to support youth organisations to better tell their own story. This mahi builds on our recent Mahi Tūturu research report on the landscape of Youth Work in Aotearoa, expanding the evidence base for the amazing Youth Work happening in Aotearoa. Stages of the project Testing our approach in a Youth Work context In partnership with two youth organisations we created in-depth SROI forecasts. This allowed us to test our tools, refine our approach, and ground the project in the realities of youth work practice. Click image for more details. Published Q1 2026 Exploring the sector's experience A Working Group of frontline and leadership Youth Work practitioners are helping to map key outcomes and explore how change happens. A broader review network, including funders, government officials and researchers will reflect on the findings to ensure they are aligned with sector experience. Q1-Q3 2026 Publication our findings and learnings Publication of our sector wide impact measurements, telling the story of the impact of Youth Work in Aotearoa, and sharing practical recommendations for the sector. Together with our Mahi Tūturu mahi, this analysis will strengthen the sector's ability to measure, communicate, and grow their social impact. Expected Q3 2026

Kaiparahuarahi - Understanding identities through intersectionality Download Kaiparahuarahi - Whai Wāhitanga: Rediscovering the Future of Youth Partipation Download Kaiparahuarahi - COVID Download Kaiparahuarahi - Trailblazers Download Kaiparahuarahi - The Stars that Guide Us (INVOLVE 2023) Download Kaiparahuarahi - Defining Youth Work Download Kaiparahuarahi - Mana Taiohi Download

< Back Matt Renata Code of Ethics/ Mana Taiohi Facilitator Born and raised in Te Awakairangi (Lower Hutt), Wellington. Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Ruapani, Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi and Gujarat ancestry. Married to Rachel (Ngāpuhi/Japanese) since 2016. Welcomed our son, Mana Tuku Iho, in April 2024. Since having a youth worker in high school, I've been involved in youth and community development since 2005. I’ve worked, volunteered, and served across many youth organisations, kaupapa, and movements over the past couple of decades. World-changing youth-development māramatanga came to us when Rach and I studied a Bachelor in Indigenous Theology, Diploma in Māori Leadership, and Diploma in Reo Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau during 2019–2024. These studies have been transformational for both our personal lives, and our youth and community development mahi. This textures the way we do our youth development teachings and trainings. Through storytelling, connection, and wānanga, we share these insights with the people we're grateful meet. matthewrenata@outlook.com 0273234683

Professionalisation Consultation Youth Work is currently a voluntary, self-regulated profession. The voice of youth workers must inform any changes to the registration system, Background While youth workers remain accountable to their organisations, membership with Korowai Tupu provides professional accountability, a community of practice, and a way to champion high-quality Youth Work. Korowai Tupu is committed to the holistic safety of rangatahi across Aotearoa, and to setting strong, consistent standards for Youth Work across the motu. Our members’ practice is guided by our Code of Ethics, which provides guidance to ensure Youth Work is carried out in a safe, skilled, and ethical manner. Korowai Tupu is underpinned by 10 core competencies, reflecting the Mana Taiohi principles, commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi and how a youth development approach can whakamana rangatahi in Aotearoa. Korowai Tupu is engaging with youth workers across the country to build awareness and engagement on professional Youth Work, how our existing structures are working for youth workers and for young people. Current realities to navigate Prioritisation: Less than 10% of youth workers are members of Korowai Tupu. Dire funding environment: Managers and organisations identify limited resources as the key reason they are unable to cover professional costs, including membership of a professional association, training and supervision. Stretched and stressed sector: While youth workers are working with increasingly complex needs, the highest stressors for youth workers relate to funding and resource limitations (renumeration, time etc.). Pay: The majority of youth workers are paid below the NZ median wage. Our goal is to see every young person in Aotearoa have access to safe, caring Youth Work practice to support their positive youth development. Under the guidance of the Korowai Tupu advisers, the sector has started to review our position on professional accountability, including exploring the option of more formal registration. Recent Developments The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith Care contains recommendations relating to staff and care workers, including youth workers. This includes a recommendation that the government should consult on the scope and nature of the professional ‘registration’ system. This works sits with the Crown Response Unit and will be informed in part by the recommendations of Korowai Tupu. The CRU will prioritise this work throughout 2026. Next Steps Survey Tāhano Roadshow Professionalisation Policy Directive The purpose of this multifaceted consultation is to build on our existing understanding of professionalisation to inform policy direction leading into the next election that clearly articulates the best system and structure to ensure young people’s safety within youth work relationships A survey seeking members' views on the potential changes to the regulation of youth workers will be shared with members' shortly In the coming months, members of the Ara Taiohi team will travel the country meeting with members to discuss their views on registration and what Korowai Tupu should include in the Professionalisation Policy Directive that we will publish in advance of this year's election. More info coming soon. In the lead-up to the 2026 Election we will release a Professionalisation Policy Directive that articulates what is need to create a system that ensures young people's safety within Youth Work relationships.