A group of young leaders in Whau is making a big impact – and gaining valuable life skills along the way.
The Whau Raise Up Crew, supported by Whau Local Board, is made up of 25 young people from local schools who meets weekly at the New Lynn Community Centre.
Together, they plan and deliver youth-led events and outreach activities that support their peers and activate community spaces.
“The board is a big supporter of Raise Up and we have enjoyed working with the crew to activate spaces in our area to make them safe, vibrant, and fun for young people of the Whau,” says Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas.
“Engaging with local rangatahi to provide adequate support and services specific to young people is a core part of our work as a board, and I am always impressed with the enthusiasm and levels of engagement from the Raise Up crew.”
A highlight of the year is the Raise Up awards night, where crew members are recognised for their growth and contribution. Awards include Crew Member of the Year, New and Nailing It, Personal Growth, or MVP.
In 2024, Whau crew member Nemani Dakiragata took home the prestigious Crew Member of the Year (across all crews nationwide) and Volunteer of the Year after amassing an incredible 220 volunteer hours in under a year.
“We are so proud of Nemani and the Whau Raise Up Crew for the invaluable work they do in our community. We are in great hands with leaders of the future like the Raise Up crews,” says Kay.
Nemani says that winning these awards has allowed him to reflect on his growth and grow confidence in his skills and abilities.
“Winning those two awards reflected who I was becoming and helped me realise how much I had grown as a person, from all the different events, workshops, and outreaches I had participated in.
“It truly made me happy to have the realization of having that commitment to opening my horizons and trying new things,” he said.
Nemani Dakiragata.
Raise Up
Raise Up is a youth development programme through the Y and is made up of crews across Aotearoa. From its inception in 2002, the programme has empowered young people aged 13-18 to make an impact in their community through planning events, workshops, and community outreach activities for youth.
The Whau Crew
The 25-strong Whau Raise Up Crew has organised local community events including a Halloween party with 85 young people in attendance, finance workshops, and a music competition for local youth called New Found Sound West.
The crew collaborates with Whau Local Board to activate the New Lynn Square to make it a safe and vibrant space. Summer activations included music events in the square, food trucks, games, and a pop-up barber shop.
The crew also lends volunteer hours to many community outreach programmes including beach cleanup events and pay-what-you-can community meal programme Everybody Eats.
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