Funding boost for innovative council youth project
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Hutt City Council has been granted government funding for an innovative project that will benefit local young people.
Youth Affairs and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the successful recipients of the Ministry of Youth Development's Youth Development Partnership Fund.
“I’m delighted to congratulate the Hutt City Council whose innovative, Nga Ara Kete project, is among those to be granted funding. I am excited that the Ministry is able to support this initiative, which will involve, challenge and encourage local young people,” Minister Mahuta said.
Fund recipients include councils stretching from the far north to the heart of the south, covering rural, metropolitan and provincial communities, with funding totalling more than $1.1million. The Nga Ara Kete project will receive funding of $85,000.
The Nga Ara Kete project is aimed at encouraging at risk young people to complete their education and plan for further education, training and employment and developing their leadership skills and confidence to enable them to positively engage in their school and broader community.
Hutt City Mayor David Ogden says “this funding from the Ministry of Youth Development provides a substantial boost to our ability to work with our City’s young people, particularly those at risk, and enables the development of skills and capabilities in our youth that will benefit their schools and our communities now and into the future”.
"It's great to see central and local government along with the community, working together by investing in the needs of young people to improve engagement, foster leadership, increase participation and conduct a whole range of events and activities for young people," says Nanaia Mahuta.
"The fund reflects the fact that councils not only need to develop projects which address the needs of young people in their communities, but that they also need to be innovative and inclusive in their approach if they are to truly engage with young people and keep them involved and enthusiastic.
The Youth Development Partnership Fund provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Youth Development, territorial authorities and young people to work together to provide new and innovative local youth development projects.
For more information contact:
Gary Craig (04)570-6920 or gary.craig@huttcity.govt.nz
or
Adam Kearney, Ministry of Youth Development, (04)9163729; or adam.kearney001@myd.govt.nz