Investing in the next generation
by Metropol | February 18, 2026 8:33 am
For youth development organisation the Y Central South Island, the fate of tomorrow lies in the tamariki and rangatahi of today. Their January expansion into their new building in Ōtautahi marks the success of their support services – success they’ve seen in young adults across Ōamaru, Twizel, Timaru and Ashburton for years.
“A small investment in taiohi (young people) today delivers strong communities into the future,” says CEO Keith Shaw. “Investing in the next generation is about empowering and supporting them to be the best they can be.” For The Y, that investment looks like youth development programmes from education and employment pathways to driver training, at little to no cost for participants.
Acting like a bridge, The Y helps transport young people into a better future. “Like all of us that have walked before them, we set out to empower and support taiohi to reach their full potential, so that they can become contributing citizens of our local communities and our country,” Keith explains. “Without such support, guidance and mana enhancing mahi from the Y, many of our taiohi are unsure of how to ‘go it alone’.”
Following the ‘strengths-based’ and mana-enhancing framework from Aotearoa’s youth development body Ara Taiohi, and The Y’s four core values, Keith and his team walk alongside young people. “Our four core values are honesty, respect, caring and responsibility. They may sound straight-forward to many, but they are core values here at the Y. We believe in the power and potential of taiohi.” It’s a mission they dedicate themselves to across the central South Island and now in Christchurch, but Keith says it’s the responsibility of every Kiwi to empower the country’s youth.
OPEN IN ŌTAUTAHI
The new 410 Colombo Street premises marks the Y’s strategic expansion and a promise to the youth of tomorrow. “The Y already operates comprehensive education and employment pathway services across Ōamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton,” Keith says. “Expanding our Christchurch offering aligns with our mission to be a beacon of opportunity and empowerment. Our experience in other regional centres indicated a significant service gap for youth in Christchurch that we are now better equipped to meet.”
It follows more than five years of delivering free NZQA-accredited tertiary education in Christchurch. These programmes cater to youth aged 16 plus (15 with an exemption) who are not currently engaged in mainstream education, providing pathways to Level 1 and 2 Foundation Skills and NCEA qualifications along with Y Goals (free literacy and numeracy programme) and Adult and Community Education (ACE) programme.
The transition from the organisation’s previous base at the Kind Foundation’s Papa Hou premises was necessitated by consistent waiting lists. The new facility provides the required capacity to expand existing educational delivery and introduce the Y’s Driving and Employment Pathways services to Christchurch.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/investing-in-the-next-generation/