WHATEVER/Youth Week 2024
WHATEVER is the new rebrand name for what was originally known as Youth Services Trust, or YST. WHATEVER has been helping rangatahi navigate their life and their health since 1991. They are the oldest running youth one stop shop in Aotearoa and provide free holistic, youth friendly health services to young people between 10-24 years […]
“Our voices have been heard!”
02 May 2024 “Our voices have been heard!” – Care experienced young people welcome changes to Oranga Tamariki Oversight System. The news today of a decision to enhance the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System has been applauded by those who work closely with care experienced tamariki. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has been advocating for care experienced […]
Camp Raukawa
In a collaboration between the YMCA and VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, our tūhono at Camp Raukawa was born! Organised and run by VOYCE’S Lower North Island team, Te Tai Hai-ā-uru Raukawa Moana, young people were invited to spend a day out at Camp Raukawa, where VOYCE and the YMCA ran two interactive sessions with care […]
“Short sighted” proposal to cut Oranga Tamariki staff
17 April 2024 “Short sighted” proposal to cut Oranga Tamariki staff puts wellbeing of children in care at risk. The news today of 447 proposed job cuts at Oranga Tamariki has left those who work closely with care experienced tamariki deeply concerned. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has been advocating for care experienced Kiwi since 2017, […]
Whānau Fun Day
In collaboration with Caring Families Aotearoa and CLM Community Sports, this event was an awesome opportunity to provide a day of carefree fun for tamariki atawhai and their care whānau. CLM did a great job, providing activities like multiple bouncy castles, Hunger Ball and lots of fun giant games (like giant connect 4) to keep […]
Pride in the park picnic
VOYCE Central team took a couple of rangatahi atawhai along to the Tauranga Moana Pride Picnic. It was an awesome chance for the young people to connect and experience diversity, inclusivity, and creativity with the LGBTQIA+ community. The rangatahi who attended this event really enjoyed themselves, having a great time indulging themselves in all of […]
Children’s Day: Whangārei
For the past five years, the VOYCE Whangārei team has collaborated with a range of local organisations, including Te Ora Hou – to put on Children’s Day. Our VOYCE kaimahi arrived dressed and ready for a day of fun and laughter with tamariki of all ages. Staff were kitted out in tutu’s glitter and hair […]
Blues vs Fiji Drua
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai was given an amazing opportunity offered by Blues Rugby as a result of the connection we have formed with the Northland Rugby Union. This connection meant that VOYCE was gifted 50 free tickets by Blues Rugby, to tamariki atawhai and their care whānau to attend the Super Rugby Pacific Club game […]
VOYCE welcomes Auditor General’s Report
16 February 2024 VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai welcomes the Auditor General’s report: “Meeting the mental health needs of young New Zealanders”. Tracie Shipton, CEO of VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, says, “We are heartened to see that the Office of the Auditor General has directed attention to our care experienced community in their report, highlighting the difficulties […]
VOYCE RYC at Waitangi Panel
After an invitation from Waitangi Forum Panel facilitators to participate in the Child’s Rights based panel aptly named Ngā Motika Tamariki, VOYCE Te Tai Tokerau took three members of their Regional Youth Council to speak. This invitation came to VOYCE from Mana Mokopuna, through Rukuwai Tipene-Allen. The forum tent is always a hive of activity […]