A Tauranga agency is one of seven youth sector organisations set to receive a share of $65,000 in government funding.
The Tauranga Youth Development Team will receive $10K to support 100 young people to be part of a project developing a series of local youth events, including workshops, team building and social events.
Announced by Youth Minister Nikki Kaye last month, the funding is part of part of a government initiative focusing on increasing youth development opportunities from 50,000 to 70,000 annually, and increasing the funds targeting disadvantaged youth from 18 to 30 per cent.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is an enthusiastic supporter of the initiative and is thrilled the Bay is included.
'The true sign of a maturing city like ours is the way we involve, and listen to, our young people. At the end of the day, they inhabit the city too and have a lot to contribute. They are the future of our region.”
Established in 2011, the TYDT is a network of agencies and young people, aged 11-24, working in partnership to strengthen the youth sector by enhancing communication, coordination and cooperation.
Organisations involved with the TYDT include the Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty District health Board, Sport BOP, Ministry of Youth Development, ACC and many more.
Todd says the $10k funding provided to the TYDT will support and enable young people to develop their leadership skills, volunteer or mentor other young people.
'This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in. They can take part in a new challenge and give something back to their communities. The Youth Development initiative offers invaluable learning and experience for our young people.”
Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says the government is pleased to be able to support organisations doing fantastic work for the country's young people, and enabling them to provide hundreds more opportunities at the same time.
'A leadership, mentoring or volunteering opportunity can turn young people around and open up new directions and possibilities. This is about giving more young people the chance to develop their skills and build a path to a successful future.”
For more information about the TYDT, visit tydt.org.nz
3 comments
Good initiative
Posted on 24-04-2017 09:36 | By Papamoaner
These ventures have huge worth. Today's youth are the people who will run the country after we have all gone.
good for all New Zealander's
Posted on 25-04-2017 04:39 | By the roofer
Not sure if the commenter below agrees, but it seams great that ones skin color has nothing to do with ones ability to enter. Hopefuly this equallity will continue. Caucasians, Maori, Asians,and anyone can do the course with no fear of being turned away because of skin color. That should be how it works all the times,
@roofer
Posted on 25-04-2017 10:09 | By Papamoaner
Yes, I agree with that philosophy for grants like this. In this case Maori kids don't need a leg up. In some respects they are already ahead of the pack. The areas where they do need a leg up are in academic education like scholarships, to help repair the damage we did to them in earlier times. The colloquialism is "levelling the playing field" Those of us who care, are keen to see things put right, and we are doing very well in that respect these days, helping each other when help is needed.
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