Youth Work Week: Upholding future leaders

'Celebrating Youth Work in Aotearoa - safe places, trusted support and opportunities to thrive' is the chosen theme of 2025. It reflects the role youth work has in creating positive environments that build confidence and a sense of belonging for rangatahi.

This week of national celebration and festivals began in the late 1990s, taking inspiration from a handful of events originating in Canada. Those behind the event for Kiwis, such as Ara Taiohi since 2010, say this week provides opportunities for the work of rangatahi to be acknowledged and upheld.

Jane Zintl, Chief Executive of Ara Taihoi, says "Youth Work changes lives... International Youth Work Week is a reminder of the incredible dedication within our sector." 

She hopes that this week would remind everyone of the multifaceted benefits of Youth Work, as well as the work youth put into "whānau, communities, and Aotearoa as a whole." 

The main events are being held around Ōtautahi for the week is a pool party in Linwood's Te Pou Toe Toe and an online Kōrero Cafe, found on the Ara Taiohi website, both on Friday.