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Who We Are 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. Our Board Our Board provides strong leadership and strategic guidance, ensuring our work remains impactful and aligned with our mission to support young people. Meet the leaders who support and guide our mahi, ensuring we continue to make a lasting difference. Our Members Members are a core component of our peak body mahi, and help to shape the work Ara Taiohi does for the wider youth development community. Our Team Our team is a passionate group of individuals dedicated to empowering the youth sector and driving meaningful change. Meet the people behind our mahi—each bringing their unique skills, insights, and energy to our mission. Ngā Kaihoe Ngā Kaihoe is the national network of Māori kaimahi. We create space to connect and share youth sector insights and experiences from an indigenous perspective. Funders To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

< Back Research Academic research that has informed our kaupapa The research shared here informs and strengthens our kaupapa - helping us understand what supports young people to thrive, what effective youth development looks like in practice, and how the youth sector can continue to grow its impact across Aotearoa. Download Resources Previous Next

Becoming a Korowai Tupu Member Apply 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: Undergoing a police vet*, including suppling two forms of ID Provision of references from a supervisor/ manager AND a young person you have worked with, who can speak to how you practice Youth Work An up-to-date CV Copies of any qualifications, professional development or training you have completed that is relevant to your Youth Work practice 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! The Weltec-Whitireia Bachelor or Youth Development 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: Full-time (30+ hours): $150 (plus GST) Part-time (less than 30 hours): $90 (plus GST) 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.

Youth Week 2025: Image This year we explore what does it mean to you to take your place? To encourage kōrero, Lul Qiu an amazing young artist has created a beautiful and thoughtful image. Meaning behind the image "I am greatly inspired by the land and how our bodies have been able to live off it for centuries. 'Take our place' for me explores how some things can be tangible and emotional as well as physical. The maunga represents the history of what this land has gone through, but the embracing body shows love and respect. I choose to take my place as the daughter of an immigrant and tauiwi of colour here in Aotearoa, while honouring Te Tiriti" Lulu Qiu Lulu is a kiwi born Chinese collage artist seeking escapism and looking at life through a surrealist lens. Since opening her small business in 2022, Lulu uses recycled magazine and books to create artwork separate from her body. Lulu's external visual art practice has no reflection of her Chinese culture but is a result of what it feels to live as a Chinese person in Aotearoa; fragmented and a little but chaotic. She is excited to uplift our tamariki as future leaders, artists and storytellers.

Mana Mana determines the right of a young person to have agency in their lives and the decisions that affect them. Enhancing the mana of young people means recognising what is right with them, as well as the reality of their world. Young people are supported to have a voice, work to their strengths and step into leadership. This strength-based approach is core to a young person’s wellbeing, and is fully realised when each of the principles are fully embraced. Mana Taiohi with JJ and Arohanui Mana Taiohi with Charmaine and Jane In this expert from Kaiparahuarahi (Vol.1, No.2), Charmaine Tuhaka and Jane Zintl explores how Mana Taiohi shapes the way we understand, engage with, and stand alongside rangatahi - highlighting its relevance in a rapidly changing social landscape and its potential to transform systems that impact young people. Read Kaiparahuarahi Kōrero Cafe: Mana, Mauri & Matekino Explore Mana Taiohi Click on the images below to explore each principle and see relevant resources.

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Our Principles Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Mana Taiohi principles is at the heart of everything we do. They guide how we work with integrity, whakamana rangatahi, and strengthen the youth development sector across Aotearoa. Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi At Ara Taiohi, we are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundation of our work with and for taiohi across Aotearoa. Mana Taiohi - Youth Development Principles Mana Taiohi are the national youth development principles that inform the way we work with young people.

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Chillion Sanerivi he/ him Whakapapa: Samoa/Fiji, Aotearoa born Chillion (Kil-lee-in) is the Managing Director for RIVI consultancy, a self-owned, independent consulting business. He is also the National Manager for Pou Pasifika, a national initiative championing Pasifika youth workers and practitioners in Aotearoa. A proud resident of the mighty Pukekohe, in South Auckland. With close to 20 years of experience, he describes his way of working as a Youth Ecosystem Strategist, a Youth Development Specialist and a Youth Innovation Practitioner and facilitator for social change. All his work is underpinned by Pacific and Maori indigenous knowledge, values, and principles, which guide his work. His strengths are in social impact, leadership development, facilitation, community engagement, community development (place-making), social innovation, event management, systems change, creative arts, faith-based youth engagement, and being a strong advocate for the professionalisation of youth work in Aotearoa. This is supported by disciplines such as critical thinking, systems thinking and design thinking, allowing Chillion to work at the youth/young people intersection of Climate Change, Education and Training, Health sector, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sports and Recreation, Creative Arts, Leadership Development, Community Development, Social Development, Economic Development, Youth Work, Civic Engagement and Participation. He is a certified Design Thinking facilitator and an Active Citizens (Global) programme facilitator connected to a global network of almost 300,000 members in 77 countries. Chillion holds a Certificate and Diploma in Christian Ministries, a National Diploma in Youth Work, a Bachelor of Youth Development and a Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Change for Good. He has recently completed his Master's in Change and Organisational Resilience, focused on understanding the constraints, barriers and challenges that prevent Pasifika young people from participatory democracy, civic activities and voting. Chillion has strong governance & executive experience across the national youth development sector, youth workers in Aotearoa, workforce development, faith-based, social services and sexual violence prevention.

Raniera Pene he/ him Ko Puke Karoro te Maunga Ko Kaipara te Moana Ko Ōruawharo te Marae Ko Te Uri O Hau te Hapū Ko Ngāti Whātua te Iwi Ko Mahuhu Ki Te Rangi te Waka Ko Tumutumuwhenua te Tupuna My professional career in youth work began in 2016 when I was employed by the late MP Takutai Moana Kemp who, at that time, was the CEO of Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi based in South Auckland. Under her extraordinary leadership, we were guided by the famous words of the late kaumatua Eru Thompson who coined the phrase, “ko ngā rangatahi ngā rangatira o te nāianei.” (our youth are our leaders of today). Since 2021, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work for my iwi (Ngāti Whātua) as the Senior Advisor of Te Ha Oranga, delivering a wide range of youth-focused initiatives for all young people across our tribal boundary. Our belief is that when a community prioritises its youth, it ensures a safe and thriving future for all people. In the year 2022, I was appointed as the Kaihautū of Ara Taiohi. Being the peak body for youth development across Aotearoa, I saw this role as a significant opportunity to connect the sector through Te Tiriti and make a difference for all youth workers in their capacity to materialise the wise words of the late Eru Thompson. Fast forward to today, Ara Taiohi continues to be the vehicle of change that champions unity across the sector and encourages the leaders of our nation to deeply consider the role of youth work in shaping a safe and thriving Aotearoa.

Grants for Youth Week Events This is your Project Page. It's a great opportunity to help visitors understand the context and background of your latest work. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share. 01 Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. 02 Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. 03 Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. 04 Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

Zoe Findlay they/ them I have a deep commitment to youth development, outdoor education, and supervision. I am passionate about ensuring young people and those who support them are valued, resourced, and empowered. My experience spans frontline youth work, leadership, and strategic growth within NGOs.