The Katikati Resource Centre and Maketu Health and Social Services are two of seven youth sector organisations around the country to receive a share of $71,000 in government funding.

Making the announcement on Saturday, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says this funding will support more leadership, volunteering and mentoring opportunities for young people across New Zealand.

'The opportunities range from enabling young people to take part in ocean-going voyages, aimed at fostering skills such as teamwork and nautical knowledge, to supporting them to design and lead community events.

'There are many organisations out there doing fantastic work for our young people, and it's great to be able to support them to provide more development opportunities.”

The Katikati Resource Centre is set to receive $5000 which will go towards supporting 15 local young people to participate in a youth leadership group, aimed at helping them develop resilience and leadership skills and contribute positively to their community.

While the Maketu Health and Social Services will also receive $5000 to support 15 local young people to develop leadership skills and resilience and contribute positively to their community, including by helping to design and participate in a leadership hikoi.

As well as developing their own skills and leadership, Nikki says participants in some of these initiatives will also get the chance to give back to their communities at the same time.

A particular focus of this investment will be supporting those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as young disabled people, she adds

'Today's investment will help towards our goals of increasing youth development opportunities from 50,000 to 70,000 annually, and increasing the funds targeting disadvantaged youth from 18 to 30 per cent.

'A leadership, mentoring or volunteering opportunity can be the catalyst that turns a young person's life around, and opens them to new directions and new possibilities. This is about giving more young people the chance to develop their skills and build a path to a successful future.”