Youthtown

Established in 1932, Youthtown, is a not-for-profit organisation that has been part of New Zealand's story for 93 years.

Over that time, we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of tamariki and rangatahi by creating opportunities for them to discover their potential, build confidence, and thrive within communities nationwide.

Our goal is to deliver sustainable, inclusive, youth-focused programmes across New Zealand that create measurable change for young people in schools, whānau, and communities. Young people gain confidence, resilience, and future-ready skills through their experiences in our youth-focused programmes.

We provide a range of core and localised programmes that deliver wellbeing, mentoring, entrepreneurial and employment outcomes which weaves commonality through what we deliver and how we deliver.

All programmes are guided by the Youthtown Curriculum, emphasising intentional planning, delivery, and evaluation focused on outcomes like wellbeing, mentoring, entrepreneurial, and employement success.

Our work is inspired and informed by local, national and global youth development ideas, research and innovations. For our context here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we connect our work and programme design to Ara Taiohi's 'Mana Taiohi' framework and weave in many of the evidence-backed approaches explored in the Positive Youth Development Aotearoa (PYDA) resource.

The organisation is committed to measuring programme outcomes through youth feedback and partnerships with research bodies like the Centre for Community Research and Evaluation at the University of Auckland to ensure programmes remain effective and innovative.

Our safe practice is guided by the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand and our youth workers are either Korowai Tupu-accredited or currently working towards accreditation.

Youthtown is accredited by MSD as an OSCAR provider and holds OutdoorsMark certification for it's Education Outside the Classroom programmes, ensuring safety and reliability.

Youthtown collaborates with organisations such as Play It Strange, Young Jazz Band-IT, North Harbour Rugby, Youthline, and Z Manu World Champs to expand it's reach and impact through joint initiatives and events.

Over the past year we have:

Supported five young songwriters through a recording scholarship. These talented five finalists from the Play It Strange National Year 9 - 11 School Songwriting Competition 2025 had the unique opportunity to have their original songs recorded and mastered in a professional studio.
Supported young musicians and school jazz programmes through the Young Jazz Band-IT Competition.
Worked with North Harbour Rugby to support young people in a Rugby Skills programme.
Worked with Youthline to support each others mahi.
Provided staff for the Z Manu World Champs enabling our team to gain event skills and experience.