Mapping Youth Needs in the Whau (2026)
Understanding what rangatahi need to feel connected, supported and able to thrive
The Auckland Council commissioned Point & Associates to undertake a Youth Needs Assessment to better understand the experiences, aspirations, and needs of rangatahi aged 14–18 across the Whau Local Board area. The research aimed to identify what is working well, where gaps exist, and opportunities to strengthen outcomes for young people through future planning, investment, and decision-making.
Working alongside rangatahi
A key feature of this project was the involvement of a rangatahi co-design team made up of eight young people who lived, worked, or attended school in the Whau.
The co-design team worked alongside the research team throughout the project, helping to shape the research, guide engagement approaches, connect with other young people, test and interpret findings, and identify priorities and recommendations for action.
The co-design team played a critical role in ensuring the assessment reflected the realities of young people's lives in the Whau. Their insights helped strengthen the research design, improve engagement with diverse groups of rangatahi, sense-check findings, and identify the issues and opportunities that mattered most to young people. By involving rangatahi throughout the project, the research moved beyond consultation to genuine youth participation and leadership.
By placing rangatahi at the centre of the process, the research reflected the lived experiences, perspectives, and aspirations of young people across the Whau.
Our approach
The assessment used a mixed-methods approach to understand the experiences of young people from a range of backgrounds and communities.
We heard from:
8 Youth Co-Design members
113 rangatahi through a survey across the Whau.
20 rangatahi through focus groups, including Pasifika young men, takatāpui and rainbow rangatahi, and members of the Whau Youth Board.
43 stakeholders working across youth development, education, wellbeing, arts, sport, recreation, local government, and community organisations.
The project combined surveys, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and co-design sense-making workshops to build a comprehensive picture of youth experiences and priorities.
What we found
The research identified five key insights about what helps rangatahi feel connected, supported, and able to thrive in the Whau.
Safe, welcoming places to belong and connect
Rangatahi highlighted the importance of safe and welcoming places where they can relax, connect with friends, and feel a sense of belonging. Young people described belonging as being shaped not only by physical spaces, but by positive relationships, cultural safety, and environments where they could be themselves without judgement.
Access to opportunities is shaped by affordability, transport and basic needs
Affordability emerged as a significant barrier to participation. Rangatahi described how the cost of activities, transport, and everyday living pressures often limited access to opportunities. Practical supports such as transport assistance, food, and Wi-Fi were identified as important enablers of participation.
More relevant, visible and flexible opportunities
Young people consistently wanted more things to do locally that felt enjoyable, varied, and designed for their age group. Rangatahi expressed strong interest in creative, cultural, recreational, and social opportunities that reflected their interests, identities, and communities.
Clearer pathways, skills and support for the future
Many rangatahi described feeling uncertain about the future and wanting more support to navigate education, employment, and adult life. Young people highlighted the value of mentoring, leadership opportunities, volunteering, work experience, and practical life skills that could help them prepare for the future.
Stronger coordination, youth voice and culturally grounded approaches
Rangatahi emphasised the importance of having a genuine voice in decisions that affect their lives and communities. The research identified opportunities to strengthen youth leadership, support ongoing participation in decision-making, and ensure future initiatives reflect the diversity of cultures, identities, and lived experiences across the Whau.
Impact
The Youth Needs Assessment provides the Whau Local Board with a community-informed evidence base to guide future planning and investment in youth spaces, opportunities, support services, and leadership initiatives. By working alongside a rangatahi co-design team and engaging young people throughout the research process, the project ensured that the voices of rangatahi were central to identifying priorities for the future.
Services
Youth engagement and co-design
Community research
Surveys and focus groups
Stakeholder engagement
Workshop facilitation
Community needs assessment
Strategic recommendations
Client
Whau Local Board, Auckland Council