Auckland:

Our Tāmaki team wanted to take this year’s theme, “Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard” and put a big emphasis on the mana of our Young Peoples’ voices. We spoke to some of our rangatahi about what it is they’d like people to hear from them; be advice, a question or statement that really meant a lot to them. We asked for permission to wear their words on our hearts (figuratively and literally) on custom-printed T-Shirts in front of the people who need to hear it most. We had shirts made up with a variety of their quotes front and centre and were able to wear these in front of some pretty important people; a presentation to the care team at Oranga Tamariki Waitakere, youth justice facilities and even in our Hui with the CEO of Oranga Tamariki, Chappie. Feedback from the professionals was overwhelmingly positive and the kids were so stoked to hear how well received the project was. One young person said “I can’t believe you wore this to the OT office that’s so cool!” and danced in her driveway as we gave her a shirt with her words to keep. Another Young Person was a little emotional when she received her shirt with her words on there. We’ve been approached by OT social workers, community workers, young people and Police Youth Aid who all wanted a shirt of their own with their wise words. Even the OT CEO Chappie himself has requested one!

We’re looking forward to the next batch of shirts to be made and we have an awesome new uniform as kaimahi we wear loud and proud.

Midlands:

The VOYCE Midlands team partnered with other youth services and stakeholders in Hamilton and were privileged to be a part of a for youth by youth expo/concert event at Claudelands Hamilton called Beast Mode. We had a stall where we shared the VOYCE Kaupapa with Tamariki, Rangatahi and other stalls holders.

We were also invitied to be guest speakers at the Raukawa home base and did our first live presentation as a team at Raukawa’s first Transition to adulthood dinner where there were Rangatahi and their whanau.

Christchurch:

VOYCE Te Waipounamu in Ōtautahi facilitated some self-expression workshops for our care experienced rangatahi to celebrate Youth Week. Youth Week’s theme this year was “Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard”. This event was held at the 4C Centre at the YMCA and was about learning to reflect on their journey and discover new tools to express themselves in a safe space. Workshops on spoken word, rap and visual narrative were held for rangatahi to reflect on past, present and future.  Feedback from rangatahi was positive and that they enjoyed connecting with others, exploring how to construct foundations for rap and spoken word and having fun cutting up magazines and drawing pictures to express their voices, and of course everyone enjoyed the kai.

Feedback was given to say, “they said they had a great time!”

Lower North:

The mighty Palmerston North office collaborated with Youth Space this year for Youth Week! Youth space is an organization that provides a fun recreational space for youth of Palmerston North to be at. For the rangatahi, we designed a five-meter banner which had this year’s theme written on it.

“Our Voices Matter, and We Deserve to be Heard.”

The banner was kept at Youth Space for Youth Week that rangatahi could write their thoughts, aspirations, concerns on the banner. On the Saturday of Youth Week, Youth Space had an event at their centre. This event featured young people performing music, lots of games and activities, as well as Youth Space’s Youth Awards. The banner was hung up on the wall so that rangatahi and adults who attended the event could see this year’s theme and read the powerful words of the young people of Palmerston North.

Some quotes from the banner were:

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Be a voice not an echo.”
“Just be you.”