Young people in rural south-east Auckland want more to do in their neighbourhoods.
Franklin Local Board wants to connect youth with their local communities and developed a survey to help it understand community needs, barriers to participation in local areas, and what can be done to help connect young people where they live.
The survey also allowed caregivers to respond, with concern evident that a lack of opportunities could contribute to youth problems.
One respondent said there was little to do around Beachlands and Maraetai, particularly for 13-18-year-olds. “It's sad they are getting bored and doing stupid things and getting in trouble.”
Spaces for youth were seen as important, with almost all respondents regarding it as important that young people mix at facilities in their local area.
More than half of the youth surveyed travelled outside the local area for school, with many regarding that as contributing to a loss of connection to the area.
Many youths also went outside their area for activities and facilities, with play spaces most often used by younger children, teenagers preferring to go elsewhere ate, or not to undertake activities at all.
Young people regarded a lack of activities locally, better quality activities elsewhere, and a lack of local facilities they were interested in using as barriers to engagement, with more than half of all respondents saying the level of facilities and activities in their areas did not meet their needs
Respondents who added closing comment, tended to reinforce that view.
“I think the development that has occurred for young families with children has been great. However, it seems there has been a big push for the younger child age group, while the adolescents have been somewhat overlooked,” one said, another adding: “I love where we live and think it is a great community but we don’t have the facilities that some communities have.”
Results are online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
