SWDC Rangatahi Advisor Partnership
The Youth Advisor Partnership at South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) exists to uplift,
connect, and empower rangatahi across the district. Grounded in a commitment to community wellbeing and youth voice, this initiative ensures young people are not only seen—but heard, supported, and enabled to shape their future.
Empowering Rangatahi in the South Wairarapa
The Youth Advisor role acts as a dedicated connector between council, community organisations, schools, and rangatahi. It builds relationships, activates youth-led initiatives, and supports young people to thrive socially, culturally, and emotionally in a district that has often been underserved.
- Builds bridges between schools, services and rangatahi—especially during key
transitions such as from rural schools to secondary education. - Coordinates meaningful, youth-led activities and events including Pink Shirt Day, Bully- Free Week, and Youth Expos.
- Collaborates with social service organisations, councils, and providers to ensure young people know what support is available.
- Advocates for young people’s wellbeing, amplifying their voices in local decision-making and helping shape services that meet their needs.
Community-Backed
The continuation of this role is strongly supported by regional partners across education, youth development, social services, and community wellbeing sectors. Youthline Wairarapa recognises the Youth Advisor’s leadership in brokering relationships with schools and supporting mentoring services for Year 9–10 students. The Youth Advisor is a trusted and consistent presence for rangatahi, a person who makes it easier for support services to engage effectively with young people.
Why it matters
South Wairarapa is home to a diverse and growing youth population. While rich in potential, it has long faced inequities in access to services, support, and opportunities. The Youth Advisor Partnership is a tangible response to these gaps—one that brings heart, leadership, and coordination to the spaces that matter most to rangatahi.
Whether supporting transitions, driving youth events, or enabling systems change, this partnership is helping to build a community where rangatahi feel connected, supported, and inspired to lead.
Join us!
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a potential partner, or a rangatahi ready to explore innovation, we invite you to connect with Te Hīhiri and be part of this transformative kaupapa.
