Ara Taiohi

We will soon be launching an online application process. Watch this space!

• 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.

Through our new application process, you will have the option to share your about your experience via:

• written answers
• video files
• audio files

Our Korowai Tupu Administrator will be available to support you as your prepare these responses.

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 practise, the Core Competencies of Youth Work (these are an extension of the principles of youth development).

If our membership assessment panel 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 York + 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 assessment panel, which includes individuals with leadership in cultural competency particularly te ao Māori. The panel is made up of members of Korowai Tupu who work to ensure an inclusive, fair and efficient membership process for Korowai Tupu

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

The process is largely dependent on your ability to provide documentation and responses within the application. We estimate that it takes around 2-3 months however we have had applicants who completed their application within 3 weeks! To help us make the process as efficient as possible we encourage you to set aside regular time to work on your application.

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.

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 korowaitupu@arataiohi.org.nz.

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

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.