Youngsters learn leadership tips

Professor Sir Mason Durie,

Young people from "hard to reach" communities were motivated to become leaders of tomorrow.

Te Taitimu Trust held its second annual youth Leadership Symposium yesterday, dealing with difficult situations affecting year 9 and 10 students and opening the floor to allow them to offer solutions.

Topics ranged from reaching out to peers who were in a "dark place" to making and reaching life goals as well as issues such as peer pressure.

"The main aim was to find leaders within the community, and allow them to support one another," Te Taitimu Trust CEO Zack Makoare said.

Approximately 120 rangatahi [youth] from as far off as Wairoa and CHB gathered to hear keynote speaker Professor Sir Mason Durie, and attend workshops provided by Te Taitimu Trust in conjunction with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and Hastings District Council.

After last year's successful symposium at Te Aute College, outcomes were shared to better understand where the wider community could offer support. It was all part of the Trust's focus on early intervention.

"We have done evaluations we think we are on track to making a difference with these kids," Mr Makoare said.

"The question is 'are we making a change?' the answer is 'yes we are'."

The theme this year was "Rangatahi Kei Mua: Navigating towards Tomorrow" with Mr Durie leading the debate.

"To bring a confidence and connection within our youth we provide these scenarios. Mr Durie was giving knowledge to navigate ourselves as 14 or 15-year-olds about how to deal with these things.

"There were some really good young people that came through with some really good solutions from their perspective - it's important to give them a voice."

The previous events have proved such a success, they are planning another get together six months from now.