Community organisations get evidence-based about young people

Ara Taiohi, the peak body for youth development in New Zealand, has launched Takiwā, a unique youth-specific data visualisation tool that allows youth organisations to explore multiple publicly accessible datasets on a 3D map of New Zealand.

“The tool helps organisations better serve young people and communities by providing really accessible and relevant data that can inform service development and collaborations.” says Jane Zintl, CEO of Ara Taiohi.

Takiwā which means place and reflects the platform and the development company, allows Ara Taiohi to display data about young people and services from the Census, Education Counts, the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Health and the Charities Commission in a geographic format.

“For the first time, our members can look at how different slices of the youth population are doing in relation to national statistics.” says Zintl. “We can see where young people are succeeding and channel our energies better into areas where things might not be going so well.”

Some of Ara Taiohi’s members are already working with the tool. Wellington-based organisation Eastern Southern Youth Trust used the tool to look at voter turnout in their area.

“We had done a lot of work during the last election to encourage our young people and families to vote, but we weren’t sure what impact our work had had. It felt really good to see how high voter turnout was in our community.” says Manager, Lorna Gray.

Funded by the Department of Internal Affairs and the Lotteries Grant Board, Takiwā provides the infrastructure for more evidence-based planning and partnerships.

“There’s so much scope for organisations to better use of data to support and inform their work whether that’s to justify the need in a community or identify people to work with on a project in a particular location or sector.” says Kirsten Le Harivel, Takiwā Project Manager.

Ara Taiohi will launch the tool at their AGM on 24 October. Members can look forward to seeing new layers being added on an ongoing basis.

ENDS

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