Ngā Uara
Our Vision, Mission and Values
Mission
Rerenga Awa strengthens the youth development sector through professional development, working collaboratively and creating meaningful partnerships for those who support young people. Rerenga Awa’s mission is to strengthen the youth development sector by providing professional development, fostering collaborative partnerships, and nurturing leadership in those who support young people. By building the capacity and skills of youth practitioners, we enable them to create sustainable, empowering programs that directly benefit the youth they serve.
Vision
To see a well-supported, connected and professional youth development sector in Waitaha. Where young people are empowered, supported and at the heart of every decision. Rerenga Awa supports the youth sector by ensuring that those who work with youth are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to create positive, lasting change. We believe that when those who support youth are strong and capable, the youth themselves will be empowered to thrive and lead.
Values
Mauri Ora (Vitality and Well-being) We value the mauri ora of individuals and communities, ensuring that all who engage with Rerenga Awa are empowered to thrive in a safe, strengths based and supportive environment, with their holistic well-being at the forefront.
Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship and Stewardship) We embrace kaitiakitanga by acting as responsible regional guardians of the youth development sector, offering stability, and ensuring sustainable practices in our work, safeguarding the future of our communities.
Awhinatanga (Support and Assistance) We commit to Awhinatanga, providing the guidance, support, and resources needed for kaimahi to succeed in their roles and for young people to have the opportunity to flourish.
Whānaungatanga (Relationships and Belonging) We foster whānaungatanga, building strong, meaningful relationships that create a sense of belonging, where all members of our community feel supported and valued.
Whakamana (Integrity and Accountability) We act with integrity, ensuring that we remain accountable for our actions and commitments, bringing life to Te Tiriti o Waitangi maintaining transparency and trust in all our relationships and efforts.
Our Strategic Objectives
Build Capacity and Empower Youth Practitioners To provide ongoing professional development and support systems for youth practitioners (youth workers, mentors, leaders, and youth supporters), ensuring they have the skills and tools necessary to foster youth empowerment.
Foster Collaborative Partnerships and Shared Leadership To strengthen reciprocal partnerships with Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, and other communities to create shared leadership in youth development efforts, ensuring collaborative networks.
Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Bicultural Practices To embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and bicultural practices in all operations, ensuring that Rerenga Awa’s work honours Māori worldviews and supports culturally safe environments for all involved.
Contribute to developing a sustainable community driven youth sector. Through these efforts, we guide and equip youth practitioners with the tools and resources necessary to create long-term, impactful programs, ensuring young people benefit from well-designed, effective support systems. We offer our expertise, resources, and facilitation support to other organisations.
Strengthen Mentorship and Leadership Capacity of Youth Practitioners To develop the leadership capacity of youth practitioners by providing training, resources and support, to enhance their ability to succeed.
Kōrero Tara
Our Story
1986
The Canterbury Youth Workers Training Forum, established by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in 1986, is one of nine such forums in New Zealand. It became an Incorporated Society and received around $11,000 annually for youth worker training, operated by youth workers for their peers.
1993
In 1993, the DIA discontinued funding for nine forums and established the ongoing Youth Worker Training Scheme. Four forums, including the Canterbury Youth Workers Training Forum, remained active as networks, with Canterbury administered by the Christchurch City Council and run by volunteer Youth Workers, while the other five closed.
1996
On November 20, 1996, the Canterbury Youth Workers Training Forum became the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective (CYWC), aligning as a branch the Aotearoa Youth Workers Collective. The CYWC received funding to hire a full-time Coordinator, this was a huge step forward for the organisation after the limitations of relying on volunteers to support youth workers in the region.
1998
The Collective developed the Code of Ethics that the Coordinator wrote as a draft in April. A policy sub-committee group was formed to develop the code and a membership process that would make the code binding to members. This took approximately one year to develop with consultation and submissions.
1999
We launched our membership package and Code of Ethics. Youth Workers involved in our Collective endorsed this.
In the first year we had a membership of 60 Youth Workers.
2001
The Collective asked Ruru Hona (Ngā Puhi) to be the organisation’s Kaumatua. Ruru has the blessing of Mark Solomon (Kaiwhakahaere of Ngai Tahu) to act as our Kaumatua. Ruru was actively involved in the organisation and supported Rerenga Awa with Taha Māori. Matua Ruru stepped down from Kaumatua in 2023.
2011
Rerenga Awa was heavily impacted by the Christchurch earthquakes. Since the earthquakes, Rerenga Awa has broadened its support of the youth development sector.
2012
In 2012, Rerenga Awa helped establish the Strengthening the Youth Sector Project (SYS) to support young people and youth workers after the Canterbury earthquakes. This initiative led to the creation of Youth Voice Canterbury, to support youth participation in rebuilding efforts and civic life. Rerenga Awa now serves as the backbone organization for both SYS and the Youth Voice Canterbury Network.
2013
We began a project to further develop the tool, SCOPE, as a peer review assessment tool for youth development organisations. In 2018 SCOPE, became a national project with its own business plan. SCOPE became its own legal entity in and moved out from being under the umbrella of Rerenga Awa
2016
In 2016, with the help of our Kaumatua, Rerenga Awa developed our Tangata Whenua Kaitohutohu. This consisted of a group of Māori experienced in youth development to advise and guide on the bicultural practices of the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective and support SCOPE's implementation. However, with the introduction of the Co-governance structure in 2025, the Tangata Whenua Kaitohutohu ceased to exist.
2018
Rerenga Awa secured new funding for the SCOPE and Strengthening the Youth Sector (SYS) project, allowing the hiring of a Project Manager and Administrator for 18 months. This funding enabled the completion of several collaborative projects and supported a review for future direction. The Youth Voice Canterbury network transitioned from the SYS Project to operate directly under Rerenga Awa. This has cemented a key priority for Rerenga Awa in supporting youth participation in our region. The SYS project concluded in 2023.
2020
In early 2020, COVID-19 significantly affected Rerenga Awa, prompting a shift to online activities, including various trainings and networking hui. We also received funding to offer 20 free ‘youth audits’, a tool that had been developed under SYS giving young people a voice into rebuilding of Christchurch. The audit tool allows young people to assess and suggest improvements for safety and youth-friendliness. In 2024, this tool was rebranded as ‘ReVision Youth Friendly Places and Spaces’ and began to offer contracted services.
By 2025, the first audits were conducted outside Canterbury.
In October 2020, the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective rebranded and renamed to Rerenga Awa. A name gifted by our Kaumatua, Matua Ruru, along with the whakatauki ‘Mai Ngā Maunga ki te moana’ From the Mountains to the Sea.
In 2025, as part of the reregistration process of all incorporated societies Rerenga Awa Manatōpū will become our legal name.
2025
As part of Rerenga Awa’s desire to be a culturally responsible organisation, which endeavours to honour and give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the organisation moved to a co-governance structure with Tangata Whenua. This structure consists of two Co-chairs - one Tangata Whenua and one Tangata Tiriti. There are also three designated seats on the governance committee to be filled by indigenous practitioners, as nominated by ‘Pou Tuhono’ the Māori Youth workers network. We also welcomed Matua Henare Manawatu into the role of Kaumatua.
2026
Rerenga Awa celebrates turning 40!