A funding boost to the Small Communities Youth Grant Fund means more young people living in offshore communities will benefit from youth development opportunities, including leadership programmes, mentoring and volunteering, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This fund is for young people living in places such as Matakana, Great Barrier, Waiheke, Stewart and the Chatham Islands,” says Ms Kaye.

“The total funding available under the fund will increase to $150,000 over three years, up from $90,000 currently.

“Young people living in our offshore communities generally have a much more limited range of opportunities than their peers living on the mainland.

“For example, there simply may not be the same breadth of facilities, such as sports fields, or access to clubs and people like coaches and mentors.

“I’m determined to ensure that we create opportunities for young people living in these communities, so they can grow their skills and qualities such as self-confidence, leadership and decision-making, whilst contributing positively to their communities at the same time.

“We’ve previously supported young people from Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and Great Barrier Island to take part in initiatives such as sporting opportunities and educational trips to the mainland.

“Today I’m pleased to announce the successful initiatives under the first round of funding for 2017.”

The recipients are:

Te Awanui Hauora, Matakana Island ($5,000 to support 20 young people to participate in leadership opportunities aimed at co-designing community services and activities on the island) Aotea Family Support Group Charitable Trust, Great Barrier Island ($5,000 to support 48 young people to participate in leadership and mentoring opportunities based on an intergenerational event involving island and mainland communities) Waiheke Youth Voice, Waiheke Island ($5000 to support ten young people to provide leadership and mentoring, drawing on the arts and creativity, for a further 20 young people) Kaitoki School, Great Barrier Island and Halfmoon Bay School, Stewart Island ($5000 to support 20 young people to help plan and deliver activities as part of a rural network event involving both mainland and offshore schools).

“With the right opportunities, tomorrow’s leaders and achievers are just as likely to come from our offshore communities as our bigger towns and cities,” says Ms Kaye.

“This funding will support almost 100 young people to take part in opportunities that will help put them on a path to a successful future.”

Around 200 more Christchurch secondary school and university students will have the opportunity to be part of local volunteer initiatives, with the Government investing alongside other funders to support the University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This is about developing future leaders and supporting them to inspire their peers to make service part of the student lifestyle,” says Ms Kaye.

“The volunteering opportunities created through this partnership will enable more local young people to grow their skills and confidence, and contribute to the community at the same time.

“Since it began in 2010 in response to the Canterbury earthquakes, the UC Student Volunteer Army has remained active as a mobiliser of volunteers, and now has 2,000 members. They take on major projects as well as smaller weekend projects during the university terms.

“It’s great to be able to support this fantastic initiative to continue its good work, and help develop the skills and potential of local young people.”

The Government will invest $20,000 alongside the University of Canterbury, as part of their wider package of support, and other community funders.

“This investment is being made under the Partnership Fund, which sees the Government co-invest with business, philanthropic, iwi and other partners to grow youth development opportunities,” says Ms Kaye.

“Today’s announcement follows around $2 million of partnerships for a range of youth development opportunities announced already in 2017, which shows the partnership model is delivering great results.”

Around $3.8 million will be invested to build a new two-storey classroom block at Auckland’s Long Bay Primary School, says Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

The Prime Minister, the Right Hon Bill English, visited the school this morning to share the good news with the school and local community.

“Long Bay Primary School is situated in an area experiencing rapid population growth, and a large housing development is underway near the school,” says Ms Kaye.

“This investment will provide the school with six new learning spaces, to enable it to cater for projected roll growth.

“The position of the new two-storey block will ensure that the school’s outdoor recreational areas, such as courts, fields and an adventure playground, will be preserved.

“Today’s investment is in addition to $153 million announced in June 2016 for new schools and classrooms across Auckland, as well as $5 million announced in October last year for further new classrooms in Auckland schools.

“On top of this, we announced over $268 million of school redevelopments in Auckland during the latter half of last year.

“Auckland is our fastest-growing city, and home to more than a third of the country’s population. The Government is committed to ensuring the city offers innovative learning environments and the capacity to accommodate more students.

“As a result of initiatives such as the Auckland roll growth programme, new schools and school redevelopments, more than 17,000 new student places will be created in Auckland by 2019.”

Long Bay Primary School has been in discussions about joining the Oneroa Community of Learning/Kahui Ako (CoL).

Communities of Learning are about increasing student achievement, through early education services, schools and tertiary providers working together to share expertise and lift the quality of teaching and learning.

Nominations are now open for the 2017 New Zealand Youth Awards, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“These awards recognise and celebrate young New Zealanders who have achieved outstanding results, as well as those who have made a significant contribution towards supporting young people in their communities,” says Ms Kaye.

Up to 50 people and organisations across eight different award categories will be recognised in 2017.

“The categories this year celebrate qualities such as leadership, giving back and being a change maker, as well as young people who have supported youth activities in areas such as the arts, culture, sport or the environment,” says Ms Kaye.

“There are also awards for youth groups and individuals or organisations who have supported or championed young people in any type of activity.

“A new category this year is the Youth Enterprise Award. This will recognise demonstration of business acumen, innovation and/or social responsibility by a young person or youth-led enterprise.

“I encourage community leaders, youth workers, parents, teachers and young people themselves to nominate someone who deserves recognition for their achievements.”

In 2016, recipients of Youth Awards included a joint leader of a student-led anti-cyber bullying group, the founder of an organisation created to address issues of gender equality, the creator of a website designed to support and inform dyslexic youth and a group of 20 young people who built a youth centre for their Marae.

“There’s a huge number of talented and committed young people and supporters in New Zealand who are leading change, innovating and creating solutions,” says Ms Kaye.

“The New Zealand Youth Awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their leadership and the contributions they’re making to their communities.”

Applications close at midday on Wednesday 22 March 2017. The award winners will be formally recognised at a celebratory event at Parliament on Wednesday 12 April 2017.

For more information, go to https://nzyouthawards.org.nz

Notes

2017 New Zealand Youth Awards categories

In 2017, there are ten awards across eight categories. Up to five recipients for each award will be selected by a panel including young people.

Change Maker Award (LGBTI)

For young people who have created positive change in, or for, the LGBTI community.

Change Maker Award (Cultural)

For young people who have created positive change to foster cultural understanding in their community.

Change Maker Award (Community Safety)

For young people who have created positive change, resulting in a safer environment for young people in their community.

Leadership Award

For young people who have demonstrated their leadership in a project or organisation.

Giving Back Award

For young people whose actions address a current need and have had a significant impact on their community.

Working for Youth Award

For young people whose actions specifically support other young people in areas including, but not limited to, the arts, culture, the environment or sport.

Youth with Disability Award

For young people with a disability who have made a significant contribution to the disability sector and/or their community.

Youth Group Award

For a group of young people who have made a significant contribution to their community in areas including but not limited to, the arts, culture, the environment or sport.

Youth Champion Award

For an individual or organisation who has made a significant contribution to young people in areas including but not limited to, the arts, culture, education, the environment, health, research or sport.

Youth Enterprise Award

For an individual or a youth-led enterprise which has demonstrated business acumen, innovation and/or social responsibility.

Around $800,000 will be invested to build two new classrooms at Te Anau Primary School, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This investment will help the school cater for projected roll growth,” says Ms Kaye.

“Te Anau Primary School is the heart of its local community and embraces positive activity, with students making the most of its location to enjoy the nearby lake, forest and parks.

“There has been a steady increase in student numbers during the past few years and this is expected to continue.

“The Government is committed to meeting the needs of schools around New Zealand which require extra capacity to accommodate roll growth.

“The new teaching spaces at Te Anau Primary will be modular buildings, which means they meet standards of modern, permanent structures but have the added advantage of being more adaptable.”

Today’s announcement is part of a third round of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, which provides $882.5 million for school property, including new classrooms nationwide to meet roll growth.

“The $800,000 announced today comes on top of around $37 million announced last June for school property in Otago and Southland,” says Ms Kaye.

The June 2016 announcement included:

around $25 million for Wakatipu High School to be relocated and rebuilt up to $11 million to redevelop Arrowtown Primary School $700,000 for two new classrooms at Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka $350,000 for one new classroom at Pembroke School in Oamaru $350,000 for one new classroom at Donovan Primary School in Invercargill.

“Last Friday, as part of the third round of investments in new classrooms, I also announced $1.4 million for four new classrooms at Wanaka Primary School.”

Te Anau Primary School recently joined the Northern Southland FINS Community of Learning/Kahui Ako (CoL).

Communities of Learning are about increasing student achievement, through early education services, schools and tertiary providers working together to share expertise and lift the quality of teaching and learning.

Around $1.6 million will be invested to build four new classrooms at Te Wharekura o TeRau Aroha in the Waikato region, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“Te Wharekura o TeRau Aroha has experienced consistent roll growth in response to increased demand for Maori medium education,” says Ms Kaye.

“The kura was born in 2009 through the redevelopment of Narua Primary School. This involved a collaborative approach, with the integration of existing and new buildings to ensure the kura’s design reflected its vision.

“These new classrooms will provide the kura with the additional capacity it needs to offer a high quality education in a modern and innovative learning environment.”

Today’s announcement is part of a third round of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, which provides $882.5 million for school property, including new classrooms nationwide to meet roll growth.

“Many schools and kura across New Zealand are seeing their rolls increase, driven by factors including population growth,” says Ms Kaye.

“The Government is committed to providing extra capacity for schools that need it.”

Under the first two rounds of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, the Waikato region benefitted from investments totalling around $34 million.

Those investments are for the new Sylvester Primary School and the expansion of Endeavour Primary School in Hamilton, as well as new classrooms at Raglan Area School, Whatawhata School, Forest Lake School, Hamilton East School, Kaipaki School and Matangi School.

“More announcements about new investments in roll growth classrooms will be made this week,” says Ms Kaye.

Wanaka Primary School will receive four new teaching spaces to support its growing roll, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This $1.4 million investment recognises that the school supports a burgeoning local community,” says Ms Kaye.

“Wanaka is a pivotal tourist destination and it continues to grow as a residential centre, as it attracts both tourism sector businesses and those wishing to enjoy the area’s stunning natural environment and other attractions.

“Projections indicate that the community served by Wanaka Primary School will keep growing, and work is already underway to secure a site for another school in the area.

“In the meantime, this project will ensure there’s more capacity to meet the needs of local students and families.

“The new teaching spaces will be modular buildings, which means they meet standards of modern, permanent structures but have the added advantage of being more adaptable.

“Today’s announcement is part of a third round of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, which provides $882.5 million for school property, including new classrooms nationwide to meet roll growth.”

The $1.4 million announced today comes on top of around $37 million announced last June for school property in Otago and Southland, including:

around $25 million for Wakatipu High School to be relocated and rebuilt up to $11 million to redevelop Arrowtown Primary School $700,000 for two new classrooms at Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka $350,000 for one new classroom at Pembroke School in Oamaru $350,000 for one new classroom at Donovan Primary School in Invercargill.

“More announcements about new investments in roll growth classrooms around New Zealand will be made next week,” says Ms Kaye.

Around $800,000 will be invested to build two new classrooms at Greenmeadows School in Hawke’s Bay, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“The roll at Greenmeadows School is projected to grow, so we’re investing in these extra classrooms to provide more capacity,” says Ms Kaye.

“The school, which is located in the heart of Greenmeadows in Napier, has told me that these new classrooms will complement their vision as a school, and support them to provide a rich learning environment that provides academic, sporting and cultural opportunities for all.”

Today’s announcement is part of a third round of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, which provides $882.5 million for school property, including new classrooms nationwide to meet roll growth.

“Under the first two rounds, $5.8 million was announced last year for 13 additional classrooms in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne,” says Ms Kaye.

“We’re committed to building new classrooms in regions around New Zealand, such as Hawke’s Bay, which are experiencing population growth.

“The project to build the new classrooms at Greenmeadows School will be integrated with weathertightness remediation work at the school.

“I’d like to acknowledge the school for their patience as planning for this integrated project was carried out.

“The outcome will be vastly improved and expanded facilities, which offer an innovative learning environment for students.”

More announcements about new investments in roll growth classrooms will be made over the next six days.

The number of youth development opportunities in New Zealand is growing by around 10,000 annually as a result of a new approach, which includes the Government co-investing in new opportunities with philanthropic, business, iwi and other partners, says Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

“In July last year, the Government committed $1 million to seed a Partnership Fund, with the aim of attracting investments from other partners to help grow youth development opportunities,” says Ms Kaye.

“Already, over $900,000 from the Fund has been invested, alongside around $2 million cash and in-kind support from partners towards more than 6000 new opportunities.

“There are many businesses and organisations out there which recognise the value of investing in helping young people acquire the skills and confidence they need to contribute positively to society as adults.

“It makes sense for the Government and these organisations to work together, to maximise resources and increase the number and quality of opportunities available.”

A Board was also established last year to oversee the Partnership Fund and lead the development of new collaborative partnerships to increase youth development opportunities.

“A key role of the Partnership Fund Board is to draw on the expertise and networks of its members to generate new ideas, and forge new partnerships to grow the opportunities available,” says Ms Kaye.

“They’ve achieved great results in a relatively short time, and I look forward to the new partnerships and opportunities they will develop this year.”

So far in 2017, a number of new partnerships have been announced offering a range of mentoring, volunteering and leadership opportunities for young people in fields such as sports, the creative sector and technology.

The new approach for the Ministry of Youth Development, which was announced in November 2015, is expected to increase the number of youth development opportunities from 50,000 to 70,000 annually over two years.

“We’re on track to achieve this, with the extra 10,000 opportunities expected to be created by the end of this year taking the total opportunities available to around 60,000,” says Ms Kaye.

Overall funds targeting disadvantaged youth are also expected to increase from 18 to 30 per cent.

Recent partnership announcements

• $100k for South Island youth development opportunities
• $590k for 1,700 youth development opportunities in Greater Wellington
• $435k for more youth mentoring opportunities
• $270k to inspire young women into tech sector careers
• $190k to encourage 900 young volunteers

A new partnership between the Government and Ngai Tahu will benefit young people living in rural and isolated areas of the South Island, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“As part of this partnership, around 250 young people will be supported to take part in mentoring and leadership programmes run by Ngai Tahu,” says Ms Kaye.

“An important aspect of the partnership is that it will reach out to those living in remote areas, where this type of opportunity isn’t normally available.”

The Government and Ngai Tahu Funds will each invest $50,000 to support a range of programmes.

“The funding provided by the partners will support initiatives including wananga outdoor education, skills development in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths, and using Te Reo and culture as a vehicle for leadership and youth engagement,” says Ms Kaye.

“This is about building young people’s capability and resilience by strengthening their personal and cultural identity, enhancing their sense of self-worth and helping them develop positive attributes and skills such as leadership and problem solving.”

The investment announced today is being made under the Partnership Fund which sees the Government co-invest with business, philanthropic, iwi and other partners to grow youth development opportunities.

“This is the first partnership with iwi under the Partnership Fund, and will enable more of our young people to build skills, self-confidence and a path to a successful future.”