Twelve Days of Christmas: Gift to help with the right attitude

Zane Scarborough says his organisation talks to about 245,000 teenagers a year.

Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to NZ charities as part of its 12 days of Christmas initiative this year. The Herald is profiling each of the winning charities.

Motivating young people can be difficult, but a group of presenters have taken up the challenge with gusto and are doing just that - motivating thousands of young New Zealanders every year.

The Attitude Youth Division - a branch of the Parenting Place group - has been given $10,000 from the Auckland Airport's Christmas giveaway to help it inspire young Kiwis.

Attitude presenters travel around the country to speak to intermediate-aged and high school students about a range of issues, including mental health, friendships, sex, relationships, drugs and alcohol, families, use of technology and making good choices.

The $10,000 will help pay for up to 70 presentations, which will reach about 8750 students.

Attitude manager Zane Scarborough said: "A lot of schools prepare people for the workplace - which is really important. But we feel our programmes are preparing them for life. It's all the richness in life that comes through good mental health, good coping strategies and practical life skills that are going to help people to have meaningful lives.

"That's really the heart of what we're trying to do - to create information that is going to transform young people ... to people who are making really good choices."

The eight presenters are involved with 373 schools nationally; about 92 per cent of all mainstream schools.

Mr Scarborough said they spoke to about 245,000 teenagers a year.

Auckland Airport's corporate affairs manager, Charles Spillane, praised the group's unique work.

"It is fantastic to be able to help an organisation that has such a positive influence on young people."