Our Dream – Mo te Rangatahi, Ma te Rangatahi

The Central East Coast Youth Council were a hit at the Te Hotu Manawa Māori National Hui 2011, exhibiting all the energy and enthusiasm that we would expect to see from Rangatahi Māori whose rural isolation doesn’t stop them from sharing their vision. 

“These are Rangatahi who are passionate about living in a nurturing environment and strong in asserting their rights to a healthy mind & a healthy tinana” Says Jimi Hills, youth council supporter and carer for the group.”

The aims of this innovative, holistic and flexible rōpū are to have a safe, alcohol and drug free, youth focussed centre to run their programs and activities.

“They come up with all the ideas, activities and programmes they want to run, they organise it all themselves making a real contribution to their community”

And it doesn’t stop there, developing youth fitness potential through a sports and leisure programme is next on their list as well as hosting local events to support their interaction with rangatahi outside of their community. 

“Local activities and events inspire Rangatahi, to showcase youth skills and talents, explore youth issues and fulfill dreams. This rōpū are developing themselves to provide a voice to express the viewpoints of rangatahi on issues such as drugs, alcohol, sexual health, suicide, violence, isolation and actively being part of the solution.”

If their national hui workshop presentation was anything to go by then the Central East Coast Youth Council are already well on their way to achieving their dream, their vision.