Puketāpapa
Puketapapa lies on the west coast of central Auckland is watched over by Mount Roskill. It is made up of the suburbs of Lynfield, Mt Roskill, Wesley, and Hillsborough. Puketapapa is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in New Zealand. Each suburb is made distinct by the ethnic communities which reside there and the various places of worship.
Auckland Council’s Community Development Team support the delivery of a number of community projects within Puketapapa
Roskill Community Network
Puketapapa is full of community-focused organisations. More people are employed in social service organisations in Puketapapa than any other area in Auckland. The Roskill Network facilitates communication, collaboration and connection between these services, local residents and other community stakeholders.
The meetings often involve the presentation of a topic and discussion around this topic. Through these meetings, informal networks are established and working groups can be formed around issues of interest.
Puketapapa is looking to break these network meetings into hub spots (different locations around Puektapapa) to activate community lead development in local areas.
If you would like to join the Roskill Community Network, please contact Roger at , or check out the Network’s website at http://roskillcommunitynetwork.org/
Project PETER
Project PETER is a developing initiative which aims to provide three community colleges for Puketapapa. Blossoming out of a community education forum in 2012, many stakeholders are working together to provide a range of education opportunities which meet the various needs of residents. Programmes will include employment support services, enterprise hubs, adult literacy programmes, creches, after school programmes, homework groups, community gardens, a horticulture school and more.
It is envisioned that the active participation of local residents will drive the programmes and determine what programmes are provided.
Youth Development
Puketapapa is home to a large pool of proactive and proud young leaders. Guided by a 5 year Youth Action Plan, local organisations and Auckland Council provide many programmes to foster the development of these young people. Some of these programmes include:
Youth website: this is a website for local youth which helps them navigate the social services and opportunities in their area. It includes stories from young people about what they have done in their community as a result of their engagement in a local organisation and encourages other youth to get involved.
Youth Camps: open to young people from age 15, these annual camps provide leadership training and confidence building, often culminating in the youth developing their own projects for the community. Many young people go on to practice their leadership skills in community organisations, schools and/or on the Local Youth Board.
Youth workers network and training fund: a platform for youth workers to collaborate and develop initiatives.
Youth awards: for youth and youth workers. These are youth-led awards recognise and share the positive work young people and youth workers are doing.
Youth enterprise: spaces are being developed to support young people who want to start their own businesses.
Puketapapa Local Youth Board: is made up of local youth and works in collaboration with Puketapapa Local Board and Auckland Council to provide a youth perspective on local issues such as the Unitary plan. These young people are becoming empowered and active citizens as they learn how to be decision-makers and develop their own youth-led projects for the area.
Building bridges
Building bridges is a programme aimed at supporting migrant youth in education and career pathways by liaising with parents so they understand these pathways and systems. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Building bridges provides workshops which help migrant parents understand how NCEA and the youth guarantee scheme works.
Capacity building
In partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs, Roger delivers workshops on various topics to help build the skills and capacities of local social services and organisations. Workshop topics include community development, ways to attract and maintain funding, and holding events.
If you would like more information on any of these programmes, contact Roger at
Youth Connections
Youth Connections is an Auckland-wide project which aims to connect young people, schools and businesses to support young people into training and employment. Manawa is the current youth connections workers for Puketapapa. She works from a number of different angles to assist young people into training and employment. At a micro level, she works with youth one-on-one, helping them to develop a direction plan for their career path and obtain employment or training. At a macro level she brings services together, enhancing their understanding of how they can develop sustainable local solutions for maintaining young people in employment and training. Various strategies are being developed for this including: community colleges which will provide skill training and employment services for youth and social innovation hubs to support young people starting their own businesses.
You can contact Manawa at [email protected]
To learn more about Auckland’s Youth Connections strategy see its website here http://www.youthconnections.co.nz/