Auckland Council released its I Am Auckland Status Report on 14 February, marking three years of progress in its city-wide strategic action plan for children and young people.
“Auckland is full of creative, energetic and insightful young people," says Councillor Penny Hulse, Chair of Auckland Council's Environment and Community Committee.
"Many of the 500,000 young people living here are thriving and engaging in the design and leadership of their city."
Challenges still remain
“However, some young Aucklanders still face challenges in their health and well-being, school achievement, employment and ensuring their voices are heard on issues that affect their lives. This status report aims to focus the council family’s efforts and to ensure that children and young people have the tools and opportunities that they deserve to prosper."
Auckland Council and its council-controlled organisations have already delivered more than two hundred actions, policies or programmes that are focused on children and young people.
Taking action for young people
In particular, Goal 4 of the strategic action plan, “I am given equal opportunities to succeed and have a fair go”, has seen 71 activities and action areas delivered over the last three years. They relate to education, connecting with work, learning and skills development.
Goal 6 of the strategic action plan, “Auckland is my playground”, has seen the development of 69 activities and action areas relating to sport, recreation, arts and culture.
The status report profiles a number of key initiatives that are delivering these outcomes. It also identifies opportunities for the council family to take further action in future.
The report identified that more can be done towards achieving goal seven, Rangatahi tū rangatira (all young people will thrive). The council can also look for further opportunities to focus on education and employment outcomes for Māori and Pacific young people and maintain a focus on areas of the city with high numbers of young people, particularly in the south.
“Auckland Council is committed to building a city where all children and young people are nurtured and supported. Together the council family and empowered young people can build on the vision of I Am Auckland and create a sustainable future for all Aucklanders,” says Councillor Hulse.
Aspirational goals for Auckland
The I Am Auckland strategic action plan, launched in 2013, sets out seven aspirational goals the city has for young Aucklanders.
- I have a voice, am valued and contribute.
- I am important, belong, am cared about and feel safe.
- I am happy, healthy and thriving.
- I am given equal opportunities to succeed and have a fair go.
- I can get around and get connected.
- Auckland is my playground.
- Rangatahi tū Rangatira – all young people will thrive.
Status report profiles key initiatives
The I Am Auckland Status Report 2017 profiles a number of key initiatives that are delivering the outcomes sought in the strategic action plan. They include:
- Dare to Explore/Kia Māia te Whai, Auckland Libraries’ summer reading programme
- Career Pathways, the council’s internal youth recruitment programme
- Auckland is my Playground, the council’s young people's sport and recreation implementation plan
- Youth Advisory Panel, the council’s formal mechanism to receive regular advice from young people
- JobFest, a free one-day youth employment event
- Enviroschools, an environmental education programme that supports implementation of sustainability initiatives in schools.
