Media Release 7 March 2014

For Immediate Release

Kaikohe Youth Action Plan to be launched.

On March 17 Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki will officially launch the Kaikohe Youth Action Plan at Northland College, as part of the Kaikohe Social Sector Trial. Local MP Mike Sabin will also be attending the launch.

Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki is a joint venture involving Youth Horizons, Otāngarei Trust and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services delivering the Social Sector Trials contract in Kaikohe and other intensive services to help meet the needs of youth in Northland.

Former Social Sector Trial Project Manager Wendy Ferguson researched and developed the Kaikohe Youth Action Plan through an extensive consultation process in Kaikohe. The implementation of the Action Plan is now well underway, with Project Manager Brennan Rigby working in the Kaikohe community since December.

Since the publication of the Action Plan in December numerous milestones have been met including:

• An educational facility for year 9 and 10 taitamariki who are currently disengaged from the mainstream school model has been established at Northland College.

• A student service coordinator ensuring students have access to appropriate services is in place at Northland College.

• 10 potential young leaders are now being provided access to the support and resources they need to connect to the wider community; they are being supported to organise and run events for youth in the community.

• A fund has been established to support taitamariki to participate in events celebrating and enhancing their success. HYPE Youth Advisory Group members are being trained to participate in the assessment of applicants to this fund.

ENDS

Launch details:

2:15 – 3:15; Monday, March 17

Northland College

About Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki

Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki is a tripartite joint venture formed in 2012 comprised of Otāngarei Trust based in Whangarei, Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services based out of Kaikohe and Youth Horizons based in Auckland. The joint venture was established to formalise a working relationship between the three parties to share clinical, cultural and local expertise, knowledge and experience, ensuring the best outcomes for the children and young people of the Northland/Te Tai Tokerau region.

The focus of Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki is the provision of clinically and culturally appropriate interventions for children and young people in Northland who are at risk of, or who have behavioural, emotional and mental health problems.

Otāngarei Trust

Otāngarei Trust provides structured youth programmes, family support, and family budgeting services.

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi that provides programmes and skilled workers who support the social development and communities of Ngāpuhi.

Youth Horizons/Kia Puāwai

Youth Horizons/Kia Puāwai is a national specialist NGO providing services for Taitamariki with significant conduct issues and their families/whānau.

For the full Kaikohe Youth Action Plan please visit: http://bit.ly/1iavlri

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