Meet the Members: Ara Taiohi

Who are you and what do you do?

Tēnā tātou e te whānau. We are Ara Taiohi, the peak body of Youth Development. ‘Ara’ means ‘pathway, lane, passageway to/from’ and ‘taiohi’ means ‘young person’ in Aotearoa New Zealand. Therefore, Ara Taiohi is the pathway to and from young people. 

As a peak body we are committed to developing projects and sharing resources, tools and information to enhance practice within the sector. 

What areas do you cover and who are your communities?

We are a national organisation, our community are the people who work with young people in Aotearoa. Our tari/office is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, but we have kaimahi residing in Ōtautahi and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Regarding the pandemic, what response are you most proud of?

Even though Youth Work was often not considered to be an essential service, we know that many young people relied on the strengths of their relationships with their youth workers. Our sector stood up and responded to this need.

What innovations do you use (either something you have created, had to create, or found out about that really helps you deliver)?

The more our mahi is informed by Te Ao Māori and other indigenous worldviews as well as being rangatahi lead the more effective we are in our communities.

What most excites you about your organisation’s future?

Our vision is Te Puawaitanga Taiohi o Aotearoa, seeing the Young people of Aotearoa thriving. When everybody who works with and supports Young People in Aotearoa (including Government, Business, Not for profit, Whānau and Communities) is grounded in a shared kaupapa our hope is this will be achieved. 

Find out more about Ara Taiohi on their website here.

You can also follow Ara Taiohi on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep updated on their mahi!