Happyzine 2015 = exciting times ahead

Media Release

Youthtown                                                        23 May 2012
Youthtown Launches National Youth Survey
National youth charity Youthtown is going to the streets to find out how young people really feel about themselves and their future.
Youthtown has commissioned Point Research to uncover who our teenagers are, what they think and what matters to them most with the inaugural ‘Youthtown Voice of NZ’ survey. From 22 May and until 5 June the survey will reach 500+ 13 to 18 year-olds throughout New Zealand.
The ‘Youthtown Voice of NZ’ survey will have a positive emphasis on understanding young Kiwis’ relationships with their peers, family and society; confidence in themselves and their abilities; wellbeing and their thoughts about the future.
Youthtown CEO, Keith Thorpe, says; “To ensure we’re at the forefront of youth development, we need to identify exactly how youth identify themselves, how they socialise, the connections they have with their school, friends and family, who they admire, how they view their life and their future.
Prior to developing the questions, Point Research undertook focus groups with young people and youth organisations to understand what they would like to see in the survey.
Key youth sector stakeholders including the Ministries for Youth Affairs and Social Development, Auckland Council, the Foundation for Youth Development, Youthline, Rainbow Youth and Parents Inc were consulted to ensure the results are topical and useful and to avoid replication with other surveys.
The questions are focused around youth development with several specific to the theme of this year’s Youth Week, ‘love the skin you’re in’ which explores how important it is to have happy, healthy and positive self-acceptance of who you are.
Point Research Principal Researcher, Alex Woodley, says; “We hear and know a lot about young people and related ‘issues’ but the significance of this survey is that it focuses on the more positive aspects of their lives.”
Thorpe adds; “We are excited to be launching this important survey to coincide with our organisation’s 80th birthday. Not only will we be marking a very significant milestone in the history of the organisation, we’re also celebrating youth and investing in their future to ensure we keep inspiring young New Zealanders to reach their full potential.
“We can use the results to review how we communicate with them and to also tailor our programmes around their specific needs and preferences.”
Youth between the ages of 13 and 18 are urged to enter the survey at www.youthtown.org.nz. Once the survey is complete, a detailed analysis will be undertaken to determine key outcomes and their implications.
Youthtown is also marking Youth Week from 19 – 27 May with a range of exciting events and activities throughout New Zealand. The culmination of those celebrations will see several regions hosting a local version of ‘The Amazing Race’ across the weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May.
The Amazing Race will involve teams of four coming together to solve a variety of mental and physical challenges. The series provides youth with a closer look at their region and the opportunity to get to know each other better in a fun and engaging environment. Entry is $20 per team of four.
To complete the Youth Week survey, enter at team for The Amazing Race, and see what else is going on in your region, head to www.youthtown.org.nz.

Tags: Youth