E ngā rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei i tēnei wā, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
I’d like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Jane Zintl, MNZM, CEO, Ara Taiohi; Chillion Sanerivi, Board Chair; Raniera Pane, Kaihautū; Kirsten Smith; Rebecca Roe, Impact Strategy Lead, Hands for Impact; Keahikekoa Baker, Researcher; Matua James Makowharemahihi.
And to all our distinguished guests here this morning – tēnā koutou katoa.
It is a great pleasure to recognise the collective contribution of a sector empowering rangatahi, supporting our young people to navigate the sometimes-challenging transition into adulthood.
The current youth cohort – Generation Z – are the first true digital natives, with all the risk and reward that this inheritance brings.
Gen Z’s grasp of technology and capacity to adapt to the rapidly-evolving online world can be baffling to older New Zealanders. Their day-to-day lives may also differ in many ways to earlier generations, but the fundamental human needs – to be seen, to belong, to feel valued – remain unchanged.
Our world is currently facing a number of compounding challenges, from geopolitical and economic instability to a radical reshaping of traditional career paths, alongside an epidemic of loneliness.
I acknowledge that your vital work matters now more than ever, with research showing 41% of Gen Zs in New Zealand feeling stressed all or most of the time. Nurturing this generation’s wellbeing and unlocking their future potential is integral to our country’s social and economic success.
I’m sure we can all agree with US Educator Rita Pierson’s famous remarks: “Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
But every champion, in turn, needs to be adequately equipped to fulfil this critical support role. With increasing complexity of need across our communities, kaimahi working with young people require comprehensive workforce training and resources to deal with these ever-evolving modern challenges.
Youth workers enter young people’s lives at a pivotal time, and your organisation’s name – Ara Taiohi, meaning the pathway to and from young people – is a very apt expression of the ecosystem you’ve created to support them. Your essential mahi builds the capability, sustainability, and visibility of the youth work sector, enabling kaimahi to honour the mana of each young person, helping them to find their own unique path.
I have committed much of my career to the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the systemic issues behind some of our most entrenched social problems. This Youth Work Impact Report looks holistically at the issues facing young people today. It aims to shine a light on the immense value your sector brings to our communities, recognising that a significant part of youth work's influence is preventative.
I understand the huge cost, to all of us, of not supporting our young people to succeed, and that the best youth development work is so often invisible. When you do your jobs well, communities will see our rangatahi flourishing, though likely unaware of the essential connections supporting them to do so.
I was struck by your report’s finding that youth work creates $12.69 of social value for every $1 invested – a phenomenal amount. While an extremely beneficial storytelling tool, I’m certain that everyone in this room would agree that the true value of youth work is revealed in something far more precious: in the gradual establishment of trust; the progressive building of self-worth; and the incremental steps taken by our rangatahi towards the future they have envisaged for themselves.
It was the Dalai Lama who said: "Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into the water, the actions of individuals can have a far-reaching effect."
Your report also acknowledges this profound impact: those ripples through whānau and wider society. Our communities experience stronger social cohesion and an increased sense of safety – as well as a reduced demand on the justice system and other social services. And our young people, of course, then go on to contribute positively to society in a myriad of ways.
As Governor-General and on behalf of all New Zealanders, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the mahi of youth workers around the country, who bring out the promise within our rangatahi. Or as a member of Gen Z might say: "A massive shoutout to our youth workers for the assist. You absolutely carried – and I would've crashed and burned without you."
My thanks again and I wish you all the very best.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tātou katoa.