This is a final update to our communication on 26 July 2018.

I can advise that a former staff member has today, been sentenced on charges of unlawful sexual connection and indecent communications with a person under 16. The charges which he had previously plead guilty to relate to offences that took place at a Youthtown site in the first half of 2017.  

He has been sentenced to 11 months home detention including various conditions and registration on the Child Sex Offenders Register.

It is with a deep heart and sadness that on behalf of the board I have the task to announce that Paula Kearns, our CEO, has decided to step down from her role as the CEO of Youthtown and explore other opportunities.

During her 5+ years with Youthtown, Paula has driven the formulation of our 2020 Strategy and its delivery, and built on this with our renewed 2030 Strategy more recently. This has included numerous investment opportunities, most notably being the lodge on Ohakune, but also investing in our wonderful team.