Media release: Ministry of Social Development, 16 August 2013
Raglan and other parts of the Waikato District have been selected as a trial area for a two year project focussing on improving outcomes for young people in the district.
Increasing participation in training and education, and reducing truancy, alcohol and drug abuse and offending are key aims of the project which is being led by iwi, council, and community and government agencies.
SSTAR, Social Sector Trial Atawhai Rangatahi, is aimed at 12-18 year olds in the Waikato district and is one of 16 trial areas selected nationally. Miss Kodi Hapi from Ngati Haua, has been appointed to manage the Waikato initiative and will work across the entire district, covering Raglan, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Tuakau.
A high-level Waikato Social Sector Trial Advisory Group, chaired by Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson held its first meeting recently and will oversee the project to improve outcomes for young people in the district.
Mayor Sanson says it makes good sense for families, communities, schools and agencies to work together to support young people in the district to do better.
“Increasing participation in our secondary schools and reducing truancy helps support our young people and future leaders to fulfill their potential and may deter them from risk-taking behaviours which can have a devastating effect on their futures and our district” says Mayor Sanson.
“With unexplained absences from secondary schools in the district the third highest in the country, it’s clear that getting this rate down and having young people in school, training or employment needs good partnership and collaboration,” says Kodi.
The trial draws on the successful experience of six previous trials in a range of areas including Te Kuiti and Tokoroa. Kodi will work with the Advisory Group and alongside community to develop an Action Plan which will be launched before the end of this year.
Other Advisory Group members are the heads or senior managers from Ministry of Social Development, Te Puni Kokiri, Waikato Police, Waikato-Tainui, Waikato District Health Board, Department of Internal Affairs, Child Youth and Family and Ministry of Education, along with two youth representatives and an iwi representative.
For more information about the Social Sector Trials visit the Ministry of Social Development website.