Young Leaders join VOYCE Staff

  • Let us introduce our inaugural VOYCE Whakarongo Mai intern youth advisors.

Auckland teenagers Stan Baldwin and Kiri Phillips began working with VOYCE around two months ago.

“I absolutely love working with and for VOYCE. One thing I was afraid of with getting a job is that I wouldn’t like it or anyone I would be working with. But I love the job and people I work with,’’ Stan said.

“I’ve been involved with helping out others, helping design a few things here and there, but I will be working on a waiata booklet for VOYCE….I hope to achieve my main goal which is that I enjoy being here and gather all the experience I can,’’ he said.

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai chief executive Dr Ainsleigh Cribb-Su’a said the intern programme offers rangatahi atawhai the opportunity to learn, develop skills and gain confidence.

“It became paramount to us that as an organisation we offer the opportunity to rangatahi atawhai to learn, develop, be empowered, and ensure that they are being equipped and enabled in positive and healthy ways.

“It has been a great experience having both Stan and Kiri join our Whānau at VOYCE and we look forward with anticipation to having them both participate in future projects,’’ Dr Cribb-Su’a said.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.