Puketāpapa lies on the west coast of central Auckland is watched over by Mount Roskill/Puketāpapa. It is made up of the suburbs of Lynfield, Mt Roskill, Wesley, and Hillsborough. Puketāpapa 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.
The Local Board is reviewing its three-year plan and will be calling for submissions in May-June. You can see the current plan here.
Auckland Council’s Empowered Communities team supports the delivery of a number of community development and social services projects within Puketāpapa.
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.
Roskill Community Networkwebsite or contact David Mitchell, Community Development Manager, on 021 274 7442.
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.
Project PETER
Project PETER is a developing initiative which aims to provide three community colleges for Puketāpapa. 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, creches, after school groups, homework groups, community gardens, a horticulture school and more. Active participation of local residents will drive the programmes and determine what programmes are provided.
Youth Development
Puketāpapa is home to a large pool of proactive and proud young leaders. Guided by a five-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.
Puketāpapa Local Youth Board: is made up of local youth and works in collaboration with full 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
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. A youth connections worker 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 the worker 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.
To learn more about Auckland’s Youth Connections strategy see its website here http://www.youthconnections.co.nz/
