Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. We are connected to 4,000 people who work with young people every day. Our sector is based on a positive youth development approach which focuses on nurturing young people’s strengths and abilities, fostering their healthy development, and promoting positive engagement with their communities. Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa. We are connected to and support youth workers and organisations across the motu. Our job is to advocate for the work you do, and make sure you have the resources you need to bring your best. Who We Are Check out the Research Looking for something specific? Quick access to some of the most visited areas of our website. Mana Taiohi A guiding framework for positive youth development in Aotearoa. Resources + Tools Guides, frameworks, and latest research from the sector. Code of Ethics Ethical guidance to support safe, accountable youth work. Supervision Find a supervisor to support your reflective practice and professional growth. Training + Wānanga Practical learning for practitioners at all stages. Membership Join our membership communities - Ngā Kaihoe, Korowai Tupu, and Ara Taiohi. Join a community of youth workers and organisations. Becoming a member is the best way to be part of what we do; if it's not for you, you can still stay connected by joining our mailing list. Membership Subscribe What's happening in the youth development sector? The Digital Youth Sector Hub is now live! Log In Become a Member

Skim the Flipbook Read the Report We commissioned Hands for Impact to undertake a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study to understand, measure, and demonstrate the value of youth work in Aotearoa. They analysed 54 youth work organisations from across the motu to identify what changes for young people as a result of youth work, and then calculated what this change was worth to Aotearoa. Why use SROI for youth work? Every youth worker can tell you how their work has helped shape the lives of ngā rangatahi they work with. Who was able to get their driver's license, who developed the confidence that helped them get a part-time job, or who otherwise might have ended up in the youth justice system. They know the courage and determination it takes each young person to confront their personal challenges. But too often, this impact goes unseen. The Youth Work Impact Report helps our sector tell the story of youth work in a way decision makers can see and understand. Youth organisations, this one's for you. The Youth Work Impact Report is a tool to support your conversations with funders, develop your approach to measuring outcomes and impact, and to support your practice. Want to know more? Come to our next webinar: Measuring Up: Exploring how you might apply the Report to your programmes and services Date: 18 November Time: 11:30am Where: Online via Zoom Register for Webinar 2 Want to dive deeper? Have questions? Check out these FAQs. Learn from Georgia, one of the researchers, as she takes us through the research. Download FAQs We want to give a big mihi to all the people involved in this project - especially the researchers! We're grateful to Hands for Impact , our Working Group , the Peer Review Network , Think Impact , and all the taiohi who shared their personal experiences . Your expertise, wisdom and hard work has been invaluable across this project. Testing our approach in a Youth Work context In partnership with two youth organisations we created in-depth SROI forecasts. This allowed us to test our tools, refine our approach, and ground the project in the realities of youth work practice. Click image for more details. Published Q1 2026 Exploring the sector's experience A Working Group of frontline and leadership Youth Work practitioners are helping to map key outcomes and explore how change happens. A broader review network, including funders, government officials and researchers will reflect on the findings to ensure they are aligned with sector experience. Q1-Q3 2026 Publication our findings and learnings Publication of our sector wide impact measurements, telling the story of the impact of Youth Work in Aotearoa, and sharing practical recommendations for the sector. Together with our Mahi Tūturu mahi, this analysis will strengthen the sector's ability to measure, communicate, and grow their social impact. Published Q1 2027 Stages of the project

< Back Youth Talk Podcast - Our Voices, Our Stories Online VOICE OF AROHA Target Age: 12-24 Address: When: 20 May 2026 7:00 am voiceofaroha@gmail.com STAY TUNED a three-episode Youth Talk Podcast series coming through during Youth Week 2026, created by and for young people from diverse backgrounds, especially refugee and migrant communities in Wellington. Previous Next

< Back Anne-Marie Morrison My Approach Qualifications Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) Microcredential in Professional Supervision for Health and Social Service Practitioners Profesional Association Social Work Registration Board Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Connect with the Supervisor Directly Previous Contact me Next

< Back TAHI FEST Music & Dance Te Ranga Kairangi Target Age: 12-24 Address: 8/193 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand When: 24 May 2026 1:00 am nat.macdonald@huttcity.govt.nz Come and celebrate Youth Week and Music Month with an afternoon of performances for rangatahi, by rangatahi. Previous Next

< Back Whanau Music/Talent Night Music & Dance Wainuiomata High School Target Age: 13-17 Address: 60 Parkway, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt 5014, New Zealand When: 20 May 2026 6:00 am renk22053@wainuiomatahigh.school.nz PRIVATE EVENT Our whanau music night will be an opportunity for student talent to be celebrated and we will be inviting whanau in to have a good time, enjoy music and kai together all with the goal of celebrating our Taiohi. Previous Next

< Back Katherine Montgomery Kia ora, my name is Katherine and I am a registered social worker living in TeWhanganui-a-Tara. I have experience working as a hospital social worker in the Emergency Department and General Medical wards, and I am currently an Advanced Social Work Practitioner at a Youth one stop shop. I love working with young people and I am super passionate about supervising others. I can provide in person supervision in Wellington, or online supervision nationwide. My Approach I see supervision as a space for reflection, to gain insight, learn and develop, offload any difficulties and process human responses in relation to your work, and be supported. I incorporate reflective practice and my approach is strengths based and solution focused. Qualifications Bachelor of Social Work (with Honours) Supervision Skills for Health and Social Services Professionals (Microcredential) (Level 5) Currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision through Massey University Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly Previous Contact me Next

< Back Female Self-Defence Health & Sport Selwyn District Council Target Age: 12-24 Address: 94 Rolleston Drive, Rolleston 7614, New Zealand When: 18 May 2026 6:00 am https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/news-And-events/events/female-self-defence3 active@selwyn.govt.nz Selwyn Taekwondo are back with more free self-defence classes for female teens and youths. These free classes will assist teens to confidently perform self-defence skills to keep themselves safe. Parent participation welcome to support your tamaiti. Spaces are limited so bookings are essential. Previous Next

< Back Jennifer Shepheard My Approach Qualifications BASS Bachelor in social services Post grad in Kaitiakitanga/ Bicultural Supervision Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly Previous Contact me Next

< Back Suzanne Cocker Ko Ruapehu te maunga Ko Rangitikei te awa Ko Tūwharetoa me Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Raukawa me English me Norwegian me Scottish nga iwi Ko Parerukuwai te tupuna wahine Ko Suzanne Cocker ahau I was born and bred in Petone, Wellington. I come from a long line of people, who on both sides of my family, are steeped in acts of service, compassion and work ethic. After providing professional Supervision within my various roles over the past 12 years, in 2023 I established Pohutukawa Place to focus on high-quality external Professional Supervision for Social Workers and other helping professions. I am focused on supporting best practice, growing a competent and compassionate workforce, and advocating for the critical role Social Work has in advancing social justice. I have been a Social Worker for over 16 years and held roles in addictions, family conflict and child consultancy, youth health services, Social Work education and held management and professional leadership roles in tertiary health services. I have worked both in kaupapa Māori and mainstream organisations and has been fortunate to practice Social Work in Aotearoa, Australia and the United Kingdom. I am passionate about utilising my skills and experience to support Social Workers and other professionals to be the very best version of themselves. Whether it’s testing new theories, advocating for changing systems that don’t work for whānau or ensuring great support and ethical rigor for professionals, I am keen to get stuck in. I love to spend time travelling, learning about other cultures, and being inspired by Social Work in the global space. My Approach My approach: It’s about the relationship curated between people. Relationships underpin the weaving of shared experiences, reciprocal learning, celebration of strengths and opportunities for professional and personal growth. I believe carefully crafted, well-functioning relationships support the development of professionals so that they may provide the very best in quality reflective practice for the individuals, whānau and wider community they serve. Qualifications Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision Master of Social Work Bachelor of Social Work Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Social Work Registration Board Connect with the Supervisor Directly Previous Contact me Next

< Back South Waikato Youth Sports Day Health & Sport, Cultural, Games & Kai Wera Aotearoa Charitable Trust Target Age: 12-24 Address: 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa 3420, New Zealand When: 21 May 2026 9:30 pm azriel@wact.org.nz South Waikato Youth Week Sports Day is a vibrant celebration of our rangatahi, bringing together all local high schools and kura kaupapa for a full day of fun, connection, and physical activity. Youth can jump into sports like Touch, Ki o Rahi, Frisbee Golf, Volleyball, and Wheelchair Basketball, with a dedicated sensory room and All‑Abilities sports to ensure our rangatahi whaikaha are fully included. In the spirit of this year’s Youth Week theme, “Our Voices Matter,” the event also features local providers offering information stalls, free health checks, and accessible youth advice and counselling. Free kai will be provided for all rangatahi throughout the day. Previous Next

< Back Amber Paterson Tena koe, I'm Amber Paterson (she/her). I am Pākehā, queer, fat, cis female who is also a parent in Ōtautahi. I have been a kaimahi, and working within youth and community development for over 16 years. I'm passionate about youth development and supporting people through external supervision. I can't imagine working in any other profession. I have been providing supervision since 2018. I have worked in many roles from faith based, well-being + psycho-social support, project creation, facilitation, kaupapa Māori, camps, hapori based, in-school, LGBTQIA+ specific groups and safe spaces. My Approach My style of supervision is a holistic approach. I believe we take our whole selves into our mahi. Healthy kaimahi, healthy practice means healthier rangatahi or whaiora. ACT therapeutic model of practice is central to how I conduct my mahi too. I offer supervision online or face to face in Ōtautahi/ Christchurch. I am registered with ANZASW and a member of Ara Taiohi. Qualifications Dip in Youth and Community Development Psychological First Aid Response Ability Pathways (RAP) Profesional Association Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Connect with the Supervisor Directly Previous Contact me Next