Budget 2006: Extra cash for youth workers in 'hot spots'

Manukau youth workers have won $2.5 million a year from the Budget to try to head off gang-related violence in the city.

Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope has given the money for four years "to continue to fund youth workers, to meet an urgent need for parenting programmes for parents of youth, and to address other critical gaps in services and programmes for young people and families in Counties-Manukau".

Otara Employment Development Trust chairman Len Brown said he understood the money would go to youth work in Otara, Mangere, Manurewa and Glen Innes.

Crosspower Ministries founder Sully Paea has led a group of six youth workers running indoor and outdoor activities for young people in Otara since Christmas, but said in March that the group was covering only three of the seven potential "hot spots" of youth gang activity.

Mr Brown said yesterday that the $2.5 million could allow the team to expand to 12 to 18 youth workers - enough to cover all the hot spots.

"This is outstanding news. We can plan forward. We can put in place initiatives around that," he said.

Mangere youth coordinator Emmeline Afeaki, who was funded in January for a six-month study of youth needs in Mangere, said her report would also recommend detached youth workers.

"Investing money into one of the poorest areas in the country is a good investment in the future," she said.

"Not only will it save on less prisons, but these kids will become successful adults if they get the opportunity to fulfil their potential."