The rangatahi challenge – the philanthropic response

Changing expectations and outcomes for rangatahi was the focus of our annual learning event this year.

The videos of the presentations from Dr Terryann Clark, Dr Hana O’Regan, Lani Evans, and Maria Ramsay are now online. The presentations are brief (around seven minutes each) and provide rich insights into the challenges – and inspiration for potential responses from the philanthropic sector.

The focus picked up on the challenge presented by Judge Carolyn Henwood, Judge Andrew Becroft, and Rangimarie Naida Glavish in their presentation on The Covenant for our Nation’s Children. to the philanthropic sector at the Philanthropy Summit in May.

Each speaker brought a unique perspective from their work.

Dr Hana O’Regan (Kāti Rakiāmoa, Kāti Ruahikihiki, Kāi Tūāhuriri, Kāti Waewae) General Manager, Oranga for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu addressed the need to challenge negative stereotypes and create a new narrative for rangatahi that builds cultural confidence.

Lani Evans, Manager of the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation, covered the challenges of rethinking their strategy and their decision to focus on Aotearoa’s most excluded and disadvantaged young people. This will see the Foundation invest $20million over the next 10 years to halve the number of young people at risk.

Maria Ramsay, Chief Executive of TSB Community Trust, charted the Trust’s journey from being a ‘mailbox’ funder’ to a strategic focus on supporting child and youth wellbeing to improve intergenerational outcomes.

Dr Terryann Clark (Ngapuhi) drew on her extensive experience in youth, community, and Māori health to outline a vision for taitamariki and a role for philanthropy to support innovation by Māori communities to achieve that vision.

View Terryann's presentation here