FORUM REPORT – PAPAKURA
20 November 2008

Around 30 people, including representatives from government agencies, Council, training providers and community organisations met to discuss support for the Taskforce goal. It was a very productive and informative meeting with clear next steps agreed to.

Issues raised by young people

  • Employment support needed
  • Graffiti looks ugly – also issue with vandalism
  • Youth drinking as young as 14 – easy access – adults buy for youth – access from as young as 11- similar for cannabis although this is often easier – easy to get into drugs – easy to make money through dealing
  • Alcohol cheap - $1 cans
  • Crime rate not high – lots of petty crime – often to get drugs and alcohol
  • Truancy
  • Parents don’t know what their kids are doing – often lack parenting skills
  • Youth gangs
  • Most leave school at year 11 – leave school to get money
  • Stay at school when you know what you want – have goals and understand that qualifications are needed for the job you want
  • Qualifications needed for the available jobs in the area
  • Some job opportunities
  • Need teachers who care and want you to succeed – older teachers in particular have low expectations
  • Teachers can be key
  • Stereotyped from moment you start at secondary school- this is then difficult to change – e.g. You’re Maori therefore you must smoke – big Pacific boy must like and be good at rugby
  • Peer pressure
  • Academies at some schools (sport) but often means don’t get academic qualifications
  • Some cultural appreciation which leads to understanding of identity and lifts expectations
  • Youth voices can be heard but are not listened to or actioned
  • Too many young people on the streets – need community patrols in all areas – has improved with wardens and council involvement since 2005
  • Need to make kids and community safe
  • Significant numbers of young mums but no teen parent unit but there is a teen parent course
  • Lots of domestic violence – violence a part of life – very visible – high percentage of those present knew someone in prison or who had been to prison
  • Need more role models of those who are achieving – celebrate success
  • Good things - community events, shops, training opportunities, community feeling
  • Want a community youth centre which could also give information on a range of things appropriate to young people – health, jobs and training, housing, counselling.

OFFICIALS' SESSION
Following the Mayors Taskforce presentation, a number of officials talked about their work including Papakura District Council, Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Youth Development, Family and Community Services, Study Link, Work and Income, Police, Manukau Institute of Technology. All are keen to work together to help the Mayor achieve the Taskforce Goal and can forward information to anyone who wishes it.

Community Discussion
Following a general discussion on the issues raised some further ideas were

  • A tagging wall
  • Sharing best practice amongst teachers
  • Parenting advice
  • Youth Centre - is in the action plan from Local Services Mapping and in the Council long term plan

WHY MAYORS?

Mayors are:

  • Directly elected and they have a collective ability to speak to the whole community, take civic leadership and facilitate collaboration and genuine partnerships across all sectors
  • Passionate about their communities
  • Committed to providing opportunities for all their citizens to participate

WHY YOUTH?

  • Research shows those who make a successful transition from school to education, training and work have better life long outcomes.
  • NZ is suffering widespread skill and labour shortages so we need every young person to be fully engaged in our communities.
  • NZ needs to train its young to help fill our skills shortages.
  • The demand for entry and lower level skilled workers is also growing.
  • There is global competition for skilled labour.
  • Youth are an underutilised source of labour.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Taking Mayoral leadership to engage with government Ministers, officials, agencies, community groups and the private sector which have key roles in employment is the way the Taskforce works to achieve its vision. Partnerships with government agencies and Ministers provide the Taskforce with an opportunity to discuss policy issues and inform the policy making process, particularly to ensure that policy is relevant at the local level. Working across all sectors and encouraging collaboration between agencies ensures the most effective service delivery and efficient use of resources, currently through:

  • Increasing youth transition services, modern apprenticeships, industry trainees
  • Using Long Term Council Community Plans to engage locals
  • Working with central and local government officials to develop sound policies and projects
  • Using Mayors’ collective voice to lobby on behalf of youth employment
  • Recognising and using the power of the Mayor’s office