A major report from the Waikato Wellbeing Project (WWP) shines a light on the wellbeing of rangatahi (youth aged 15-24) in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa.
The report - Rangatahi Opportunity Case for Change - was launched in Hamilton last week. It is the culmination of nearly two years' work by the WWP to facilitate insights into the root causes of rangatahi wellbeing in the Waikato. It brings together data collated by Te Ngira at the University of Waikato, learnings from other regions and the lived experience of local youth and youth supporters, captured through face-to-face interviews and workshops.
The Rangatahi Opportunity Project was led by a small team of dedicated rangatahi, supported by a design thinking expert. The project sought input from more than 95 collaborators, undertook face-to-face interviews with 25 rangatahi and 12 youth advisers and held a Co-Design Hui with more than 50 rangatahi to capture ideas, concepts and lived experiences.
Insights captured included noting the vital role of kaiārahi [mentors] to support rangatahi, the desire of many rangatahi to give back to their community, and how unprepared many rangatahi feel when leaving school.
Rangatahi also consistently reported needing a strong sense of belonging to thrive, and how their strengths and cultural identity need to be recognised and supported in education and employment spaces. The work also highlighted structural inequities within education, social systems and employment which act as a barrier to some rangatahi thriving.
