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Toxic algae blooms in Ruamāhanga and Waipoua Rivers

Red alert warnings are in place for the Waipoua River and the Ruamāhanga River from Double Bridges to Kokotau, including Te Ore Ore and The Cliffs. People are advised not to swim or let dogs near the water. Even a small amount of algae can kill a dog.

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Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa

Wairarapa Youth Strategy

The Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa District Councils (Wairarapa District Councils) have adopted Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa: Wairarapa Youth Strategy. It is the first time all three councils have come together to develop a common vision for rangatahi across the Wairarapa.

The strategy highlights what is important to rangatahi and supports their development through the provision of services, facilities, and activities delivered by the Wairarapa District Councils. It is a lens that Councils can use when delivering to, or working with, rangatahi in the region across all the work we do. .

The Strategy sets out seven priorities that rangatahi in the Wairarapa region have identified and what council can do to respond to and support their needs and aspirations. Through priorities and actions, councils are striving to enhance the mana of rangatahi so that they have opportunities to grow, develop and reach their full potential.

While this Strategy focuses on all rangatahi, it acknowledges that one size does not fit all.

The Strategy is supported by implementation plans for each council and identifies a range of projects within them. The projects or initiatives identified for year 1 (2023/24) are within current financial baselines and planned work.

Rangatahi (youth/ young people) are 12–24-year-olds living, working, or studying in the Wairarapa.

This age group was determined based on national (Ministry of Youth Development/ Ara Taiohi) and international (United Nations) definitions of “youth”. It also aligned with Carterton and Masterton District Council’s previous iterations of the Strategy in 2012 and 2016.

Having a rangatahi strategy in place assists councils to promote the wellbeing of rangatahi within our communities. Many councils across New Zealand have Youth Strategies in place to set out their commitment and priorities for this demographic within their district.

The purpose of our strategy is to recognise the needs of our rangatahi and encourage youth development through the provision of services, facilities, and activities delivered by the Wairarapa District Councils.

Having a joint strategy enables the Wairarapa District Councils to take a co-ordinated approach in the work we do to support rangatahi in the Wairarapa. It sets out a common framework across the region so we can collaborate more effectively on key projects.

Each council will be responsible for their own implementation plans and these will be published alongside the Strategy.

The Wairarapa District Councils are committed to working together where possible to deliver on this strategy. As a minimum across the seven priority areas Councils will share information and decision making with each other, about:

  • funding support for rangatahi
  • facility developments/infrastructure
  • training and development opportunities for staff and rangatahi
  • partnerships and networks that support rangatahi development.

There will also opportunities for us to collaborate and partner with mana whenua, community groups, agencies, and wider community to deliver on the intent of this strategy.

We’re always eager to hear about opportunities that align with the Strategy priorities.

You can connect with our Community Development Team at mdc@mstn.govt.nz if you have any questions or ideas.

Rangatahi can also connect with their Youth Council, either through connecting with a member they know (listed on our website) or they can email youthcouncil@mstn.govt.nz.

We took a co-development approach with rangatahi to the strategy review. In August – September 2022 we engaged with 28 rangatahi groups and schools across the Wairarapa reaching over 1,300 rangatahi.

We received over 3,000 suggestions on ways to make Wairarapa a great region where young people thrive.

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