Youth Korero with the Y

The government are investigating introducing a Bill to Parliament which will ban under 16s from social media, but with the onus on the big tech companies to verify the age of those signing up to their platform. The feedback around this issue has been mixed with some parties believing that it is high time we…

New Zealand has made incredible progress in reducing youth smoking rates over the past decade. But as one fire dwindles, another is starting to spark – vaping. Once touted as a safer alternative for adult smokers, vaping is now lighting up a dangerous path for our taoihi. A recent study published in The Lancet shows…

When Destiny Church members decided to stage their recent protests against an Auckland Pride children’s drag queen story time event, they weren’t just opposing a show – they were sending a loud and harmful message to Rainbow children and young people. Whether they meant to or not, their actions told LGBTQ+ tamariki and taiohi that…

Young people today are more aware of the downsides of excessive screen time than many might think. Recent findings, including Outward Bound’s Screentime Amongst Rangatahi survey, reveal that nearly 80% of taiohi wish to reduce their time on devices. The study also found that peer pressure plays a significant role in screen habits. Seventy-five per…

It’s that time of year again – NCEA exams are looming, and taiohi across the Central South Island are hunkering down to hit the books. Whether they’re tackling NCEA Level 1, 2, or 3, this period can be pretty stressful for them, but there’s a lot you can do to help ease the pressure. Here…

The Y Central South Island is on a powerful bicultural journey, and it’s one that we’re excited to be taking as an organisation. With Māori participants making up between 35-50% of those involved in our education, youth work, support-to-employment, and driving programmes, it’s clear that connecting with and supporting our Māori community must be at…

Government funding cuts have sent ripples of concern across the non-profit and social sector, and the communities of Timaru, Ashburton and Oamaru served by the Y are no exception. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we think it also provides an opportunity for organisations to come together, pool resources, and amplify our collective impact.…

Recent research led by The Y Australia on behalf of the worldwide YMCA Movement has underscored the challenges and opportunities around young people and the world of work. The global research survey reached over 10,000 young people aged 18-35 in over 120 countries worldwide. 45% of respondents were from under-represented groups. The research revealed: So…

Let’s talk about something super important: giving young people a real voice in their communities. This isn’t just about letting them speak; it’s about truly listening and acting on their insights. An important youth voice opportunity for taiohi living in Ashburton, Mackenzie, Timaru, Waimate, and Waitaki districts is currently running until 30 June – the…

Our young people face a myriad of challenges that can impact their mental well-being. From academic pressures to social media influences and everything in between, the weight of these issues can often feel overwhelming for taiohi. Indeed, 59% of 16 year olds said they feel stress “always” or “most of the time” – a figure…