Young Maori have been encouraged to maintain their identity, and have courage and conviction in their principles at a symposium being held this weekend.

The Vision Ranginui Symposium for Ngati Ranginui iwi, being held from November 1-3, is aiming to create one vision for their people going forward.

The first day, involving young people from ages 12 to 25, was an opportunity to get their input on the vision and to participate in workshops on te reo, tikanga and the environment.

One of the symposium organisers Charlie Rahiri says they added the youth day after consultation with them because they needed to be heard as well.

'There's a huge push from the rangatahi, challenging us to take better care of the environment for them and their children,” says Charlie.

'We're setting a vision that they're going to live.”

Minister of Employment Willie Jackson spoke to the rangatahi about being Maori first and staying true to themselves.

'You've got your culture to call on, it'll keep you strong,” says Willie.

Willie says he loves what Ngati Ranginui are doing so was eager to speak with their youth.

'Kids are tough so you've got to try and activate them, motivate them.

'It's part of my job as an employment minister and minister for the Government to try and inspire them, get them thinking, get them on the right track because they're such an important part of the future.”

He says he worries about the young ones because of the high youth suicide rate.

'I want them to always remember that they're not on their own but they have the opportunity in terms of accessing help and support.

'The main thing is we want them to go on and realise their potential and that's why I always talk about ‘no is never no', it's just an opportunity to keep going.”

Events like the symposium help youth to unleash their potential, he says.

Minister Willie Jackson speaking at the Vision Ranginui Symposium. Image: Alisha Evans/SunLive

This is the first symposium Ngati Ranginui has held and it is running all this weekend with workshops and speakers.

Vision Ranginui is a collaboration of three Ngati Ranginui entities, Te Runanga o Ngati Ranginui, Nga Hapu o Ngati Ranginui Settlement Trust and Ngati Ranginui Fisheries Trust.

'We've got three entities with different visions, so we asked why can't we have one vision for us as an iwi,” says Charlie.

'That's the whole dream to pull us all together as Ngati Ranginui - one vision for us as a people around our language, our culture, business - everything.”

'The aims are to be better partners in society, to build strong relationships with local government and the community, and to increase that presence as an iwi.”

He says from the symposium will come some recommendations for the iwi.

More information about the symposium can be found here.