Matariki is a time to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead. In June 2025, a group of youth sector leaders from across the Waikato travelled to Ōtautahi (Christchurch) for a shared learning journey — Te Haerenga Rangatahi — focused on youth wellbeing, housing, collaboration and systems change.
Over three days, the group visited a range of kaupapa Māori, grassroots, and integrated service providers to see how different communities are supporting rangatahi in place-based, holistic ways. The trip offered a valuable chance to connect, share insights, and explore what might be possible back home in Waikato.
This sort of opportunity doesn’t come around often in the community sector. Time and space to step away from day-to-day responsibilities and learn alongside peers is a rare and appreciated privilege — and one that was made possible through contributions from several organisations, including support from the Len Reynolds Trust and the Waikato Wellbeing Project.
Who was involved?
The delegation included people from:
Western Community Centre
Manaaki Rangatahi ki Waikato
Seed Waikato
Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa
Hamilton City Council
Here to Help U
Len Reynolds Trust
What we saw
The group was welcomed by a range of organisations across Christchurch, including:
Christchurch Youth Hub – a purpose-built, integrated space for youth aged 10–25, offering housing and wraparound services.
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi – a deeply relational, whānau-centred organisation with a papakāinga-style approach to youth support that many found particularly inspiring.
Canterbury Youth Workers Collective – offering training, supervision and networks for those working with young people, grounded in a strong ethics framework.
Te Tahi Youth, Youthline, and others – each offering unique insights into clinical services, peer mentoring, youth voice, and co-design.
The kaupapa were diverse, but a few themes stood out:
Place and purpose go hand in hand – physical spaces that are warm, welcoming and designed with young people create real shifts in how rangatahi engage.
Collaboration takes more than shared space – it relies on trust, shared vision, and good relationships between kaimahi and organisations.
Kaupapa Māori leadership strengthens everyone – models grounded in tikanga and manaakitanga created some of the most powerful examples of youth development we saw.
Reflections and next steps
Participants returned home energised and encouraged. There’s interest in exploring similar models for Waikato — but also a clear sense that any future youth spaces or systems need to be built with rangatahi, not just for them. The group also spoke about the value of deeper collaboration across the region, including opportunities to share training, develop shared principles, or strengthen local advocacy.
For many, the trip was also a reminder of why they do this work. A chance to reconnect with their purpose, with each other, and with the bigger picture of what we’re all working towards.
We’re grateful to everyone in Ōtautahi who welcomed the group so warmly and shared their time, their learning, and their stories.
