Ara Taiohi

There are several ways you can apply for membership with Korowai Tupu:

• Online (written and/or video)
• Kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face, either online or in person)
• Talanoa (a face-to-face Pasifika-based conversational process)
• Word or hard copy version.

For more info about kanohi ki te kanohi, talanoa or for word or hard copy versions please email korowaitupu@arataiohi.org.nz.

• Sharing details of your practice experience/qualifications/training – including documentation of formal qualifications (see FAQ: What do I need to prove to become a member?)
• Speaking to your understanding of the Core Competencies for Youth Work
• Sharing two references – one from a manager or supervisor and one from a young person you have worked with
• Completing a police check
• Sharing a current CV
• Sharing two copies of ID.

More information about what’s required is included in the online form or feel free to email youthwork@arataiohi.org.nz with any other questions.

We’ll need you to fill in all your personal details in the online form but after that you can select any of the following options to explain your professional experience:

• Video yourself answering the questions via our online form
• Kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face, online or in person) with the selection panel
• Talanoa (A face-to-face Pasifika based group process with up to 4 participants where each participant contributes to a conversation around each of the 9 core competencies. Representatives from the Membership Committee will facilitate this conversation. Find out about more about talanoa on Core Education).

To find out more about kanohi ki te kanohi or talanoa email youthwork@arataiohi.org.nz.

For in-person hui where travel for the selection panel is required, travel costs of the selection panel and applicant will need to be covered by the applicant. But please note we will work with you to make the in-person option as affordable and easy as possible.

You can find out more about the membership process through these frequently asked questions. If you would prefer to talk to someone please call the office on 04 802 5000 or email youthwork@arataiohi.org.nz.

You can download an overview of the membership process here.

Korowai Tupu welcomes people with varying levels of qualifications, including paid and unpaid youth workers who have no formal qualification. Our membership includes people who have the following:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Youth Development
• A general social services degree, with a specialisation in youth work
• A diploma in Youth Work
• A level 3 or level 4 Certificate in Youth Work
• A qualification in a related helping profession (e.g. social work or teaching)
• Significant and ongoing informal training but not necessarily a formal qualification.

First, we ask you to tell us about your understanding of and how you practice against our nine Core Competencies of Youth Work (these are an extension of the principles of youth development):

1. Context of young people
2. Context of Youth Work
3. Bicultural partnerships
4. Building connectedness
5. Quality relationships
6. Safety and wellbeing of young people
7. Strengths-based approach
8. Youth participation
9. Reflective practitioner.

You can give us this information in writing, kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face), or by talanoa (a Pasifika-based conversational process). If our membership committee believes the applicant shows competency in this area, you are eligible to be a Korowai Tupu member.

Then, our membership committee asks whether the applicant sufficient knowledge and experience to be ready for accreditation. We use the following indicators to help determine this question:

• No qualification + 6 years full-time/10 years part-time experience
• Certificate in youth work + 5 years full-time/8 years part-time
• Diploma in youth work + 3 years full-time/5 years part-time
• Degree in a related area + 3 years full-time/5 years part-time
• Degree of youth work + 2 years full-time/4 years part-time.

If a youth worker has a minimum of one of the above, this indicates they are ready for Korowai Tupu accredited membership. If they are not yet ready, they become a Korowai Tupu member and work towards accreditation.

Finally, we need to check that prospective members meet the character requirements (references, police check and ID verification) for membership.

You can apply throughout the year.

Decisions are made by the Korowai Tupu Manager, a person from the Membership Team and one of our Kaiārahi (cultural support and guides).

Decisions are approved by the Korowai Tupu Rōpū and confirmed by the Ara Taiohi Board.

The Membership Team is made up of members of Korowai Tupu who work to ensure an inclusive, fair and efficient membership process for Korowai Tupu.

The process takes at least 2 months because of the assessment and discussion processes that need to happen. To help us make the process as efficient as possible please provide all your supporting documentation at the time you apply.

Feedback on the outcome of your application is through the ABC Model – Ask, Build, Celebrate:

ASK: You can let us know what you’d like feedback on when you apply.

BUILD: We will identify some potential growth areas for each applicant.

CELEBRATE: We will celebrate the strengths of every applicant (regardless of the outcome of the application).

Application Fee:

$90 (plus GST)

Member/Accredited Member Annual Fee:

Full-time (30+ hours): $150 (plus GST)

Part-time (less than 30 hours): $90 (plus GST)

Volunteer or Student: $75 (plus GST)

The annual renewal date is 1 July for membership fees. If you sign up during the year you pay a percentage according to a pro-rated payment system until you are aligned with the renewal date.

We are able to reduce fees where there are 10 or more members from an organisation and in the application fee where the organisation takes responsibility for all the supporting paperwork. For more information please contact us on korowaitupu@arataiohi.org.nz.

Completing a Police check is a requirement of entry to Korowai Tupu – but please note that outcomes of the check don’t necessarily determine eligibility.

If you are aware your police check will reveal convictions and would like to provide additional information about your police check and/or your journey since any conviction received please note it in your application.

Where there are any concerns regarding the results of your police check we will contact you to discuss this and what options there are moving forward.

If you have any concerns we would encourage you to contact youthwork@arataiohi.org.nz.

All police check results will be held in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993.

The Police Vetting Service requires:

• A completed Police Vetting Service Request & Consent Form
• Copies of two eligible forms of ID – verified by an Identity Referee – details on eligible forms of ID and Identity Referees can be found in the Police’s users guide.