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< Back Talei Bryant Mana Taiohi Facilitator I have been involved in youth development and youth work since 2018 since attending festival for the future Where I was inspired to start my own youth-led organisation called the Find Your Fish Movement. The aim of this movement is to help young people dive deep into ko wai au and find their passion and turn it into their profession. Over the years I have worked in numerous roles relating to rangatahi development. In 2023 I was the Campaign Lead for Youth Week and absolutely loved being able to work with Rangatahi across the motu and see all the amazing events that were happening. I currently work at Whakatane High School as the Attendance Coordinator Where my team and I cover the 20 schools in our regions. I have been facilitating Mana Taiohi workshops since 2020 and have loved meeting different people from different spaces who all want to support and uplift rangatahi. My facilitator style is full of energy, laughs and making sure everyone is engaged and understands the content. I like to do this wananga style and by doing activities that involve group work, skits and some really cool activities. I love that I get to share Mana Taiohi with the world! talei.bryant@whs.co.nz

< Back Zara Maslin Code of Ethics Facilitator Zara's been a youth worker for over 15 years, and has been involved in training youth workers for nearly 10 of them. She has worked in Youth Work and youth ministry fields and teaches and trains in both Christian and secular settings. She has worked in several national roles, including managing Korowai Tupu (professional association for youth workers) and travelling Aotearoa top to toe, speaking in high schools with Attitude. Her experience in National NGO managerial roles offers unique insight into ethics, policies and team leadership. Therefore, Zara's Code of Ethics training is a perfect collision of her worlds and experience. She loves to bring theory into real-life scenarios and empower youth workers to do what they do best: build quality relationships with young people. Alongside being a Mum, Zara lectures at Laidlaw College as part of their Practical Theology team, primarily teaching youth ministry.

< Back Lloyd Martin Code of Ethics Facilitator I moved on from leading Praxis at the end of 2022 and have shifted to Hawke's Bay. These days I provide supervision and facilitate workshops around the motu in youth development for: teachers, social and health workers, youth workers, and anyone whose mahi impacts young people. My specialist areas are the Circle of Mana and alternative education. I am currently finishing off a doctorate in youth development through Victoria University. I use practical and interactive approaches in my teaching, and am comfortable working within te ao Māori contexts. More info at my website: https://www.newseason.nz Lloyd@newseason.nz

< Back Sarah Finlay-Robinson Mana Taiohi Facilitator Kia ora! I have over 20 years of experience in youth development in community, not-for-profit, health promotion, and local government contexts. I have spent five years teaching youth development in tertiary education. I am a creative and interactive trainer whose unique skill set translates theory and evidence to strengthen youth development practice and increase impact in your context. I am passionate about helping people working with young people to thrive in their mahi . incommonprojects@gmail.com

< Back Te Maungarongo Maarie Mareikura-Ellery Mana Taiohi Facilitator Tēnā katoa koutou! He uri nō Te Awa Tupua, Hokianga, Te Āitanga a Mahaki me Cornwall hoki. Ko Maarie Mareikura-Ellery tōku ingoa. What's good e te iwi? I’m Maarie, a proud young Māori wāhine who has lots of aroha for rangatahi and hauora. I have been in the youth world since I was 19, started off in Alternative Education and have had the privilege to be a part of the Mana Taiohi journey. I’ve been facilitating Mana Taiohi since 2021 and have had experience facilitating to rangatahi, kaiako, boards, SLT’s, and community spaces! I take an inclusive, youthful, wānanga style approach to facilitation and love to add some fun in there and always bring my whakapapa into the places I get to be 😊 Mauri ora! Maarie.mareikuraellery4@gmail.com

< Back Tayla Taylor Code of Ethics Facilitator/ Mana Taiohi Facilitator Ko Tayla Taylor toku ingoa. I have been a youth worker for roughly ten years and am a huge champion for youth voice in all spaces and empowering rangatahi to build upon their strengths. I'm social work trained and currently mahi with VOYCE Whakarongo Mai as Kaiārahi for Te Waipounamu. I'm incredibly passionate about building the professionalisation, capacity, and credibility of our youth sector and see the understanding of and upskilling in Mana Taiohi and Code of Ethics as a huge part of that. As well as youth voice mahi and supporting the sector, I also enjoy systems change kaupapa, amplifying marginalised voices and ensuring systems are equitable and accessible for all. My facilitation style is relational and inclusive, with a hope that people feel confident in their training and further connected to the sector. I am based in Ōtautahi but able to travel for facilitation tayla_taylor@outlook.com

< Back Matt Renata Code of Ethics Facilitator/ 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

Our Advocacy Our advocacy is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mana Taiohi and the Code of Ethics. We believe Te Tiriti is the foundation for a fair and flourishing Aotearoa - not only for rangatahi Māori, but for all young people. Guided by Mana Taiohi and the lived realities of young people across Aotearoa, our advocacy seeks to shape systems and policies that enable all rangatahi to thrive. Advocacy Priorities Youth Development Youth Workers To create an ecosystem that gives young people the best opportunity to thrive. To shift the dial on the perception of young people in Aotearoa To generate recognition of the importance of positive youth development approaches (particularly Mana Taiohi) within government and key policy stakeholders that is backed up by the proactive inclusion of Mana Taiohi within their policies To build structures with the public sector that enable meaningful whai wāitanga and youth participation To understand and to raise awareness of the Youth Work sector in Aotearoa. To improve youth workers’ working conditions and increase Youth Work's attractiveness as a career. To ensure the inclusion of youth workers and youth development in government policies and action plans. To achieve our vision of an empowered ecosystem of youth development, we actively engage in challenging policies and legislation that undermine Youth Work and young people’s positive youth development. Jane Zintl, Ara Taiohi CEO Recent Submissions Relationship & Sexual Eductaion in Schools We contributed to the consultation on RSE curriculum in schools, emphasising the need for clear expectations so that rangatahi can build strong understandings of personal boundaries, consent, and holistic wellbeing in a sexual context. Our Submission OT- Long Term Insights Briefing 2040 We contributed to the consultation on Oranga Tamariki’s Long Term Insights Briefing 2040, highlighting the perspective of the youth development sector. Our submission emphasised the need for long-term systems that uphold youth wellbeing. Our Submission International Covenant for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights We responded to Aotearoa New Zealand’s 5th periodic review of the ICESCR, emphasising Te Tiriti o Waitangi, youth rights, and the voices of rangatahi. Our submission called for policies that enable all young people to thrive. Our Submission

Training Facilitator Database Matt Renata My life's been transformed by the aroha of those who cared, so my purpose in life is to do that for others, especially our younger generations… live to love, love to live. Read More Sarah Finlay-Robinson Kia ora! I am a creative and interactive trainer whose unique skill set translates theory and evidence to strengthen youth development practice and increase impact in your context Read More Tayla Taylor I'm incredibly passionate about building the professionalisation, capacity, and credibility of our youth sector and see the understanding of and upskilling in Mana Taiohi and Code of Ethics as a huge part of that. Read More Zara Maslin Zara's Code of Ethics trainings are a perfect collision of her worlds and experience. She loves to bring theory into real-life scenarios and empower youth workers to do what they do best: build quality relationships with young people. Read More Lloyd Martin Since earning my stripes as a youth worker and teacher in Porirua, I been involved in the youth work training space for over twenty years, initially through developing the Praxis course in Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. Read More Te Maungarongo Maarie Mareikura-Ellery What's good e te iwi? I’m Maarie, a proud young Māori wāhine who has lots of aroha for rangatahi and hauora. Read More Talei Bryant I have been facilitating Mana Taiohi workshops since 2020 and have loved meeting different people from different spaces who all want to support and uplift rangatahi. Read More

Keith Shaw he/ him I'm a proud South Islander and have been CEO of the Y Central South Island (formerly YMCA South and Mid Canterbury), based in Timaru, for the past 15 years. My wife and I have four adult children, but ultimately I became connected to youth work through my connection in leading the Y. Previously I was employed in the finance sector, working throughout New Zealand, Singapore and Melbourne, before returning with my family to South Canterbury. I love working alongside people, empowering them to reach their full potential. The whakataukī “Whakamana takata, whakamana taiohi | Through empowering the mana of people, we empower the mana of youth” resonating strongly with me. I was co-opted on to the Ara Taiohi Board in 2024 and am passionate about contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand’s peak body to do more. Whilst I bring a wealth of finance and governance experience to the organisation, I am most at home learning from others and from taiohi that I meet and engage with in my daily life.

< Back Kaiparahuarahi Read the voices of our sector Kaiparahuarahi is the official journal of Youth Work in Aotearoa, providing a platform for reflection, research, and dialogue across the youth development sector. Grounded in Mana Taiohi and the values that guide youth work practice, Kaiparahuarahi shares the voices, insights, and experiences of youth workers, researchers, and rangatahi to strengthen and celebrate youth work in Aotearoa. Download Resources Previous Next

< Back MOSAIC Our MOSAIC resources support youth workers to hold safe, meaningful kōrero with rangatahi about racism, discrimination, and values, These resources aim to empower youth workers and young people to foster empathy, understanding, and peaceful dialogue. Our mission is to create a more inclusive society where all rangatahi feel a sense of belonging and are equipped to navigate conversations around prejudice and racism with courage and compassion. Download Resources Previous Next