2024 was a remarkable year for Y Hawke’s Bay – a year where we didn’t just talk about purpose, we lived it. With our new guiding kaupapa firmly embedded – “To tautoko rangatahi of Hawke’s Bay, nurturing their mind, body and spirit” – we centred youth voice and wellbeing in everything we did. From hands-on projects to innovative programmes, the year was all about empowering our tamariki and rangatahi to grow, connect, and lead.
Throughout the year, our four pou – Y Tautoko, Y Ara, Y Hapori, and Y Hauora – were not just words, but living principles that guided every action. Our whakataukī, “Tangata ako ana i te kāenga, te tūrangawaewae o te marae, tau ana – A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society,” shaped the way we connected, supported and worked alongside our young people and whānau.
One of our proudest moments was the Carving Pou Project. This initiative was inspired by youth themselves, many of whom expressed interest in carving and cultural storytelling. With the support of Hastings District Council and generous local carvers, we sourced power poles, designed a narrative that reflected our shared whakapapa and vision for the future, and supported rangatahi to carve over the summer months. The project culminated in a powerful blessing ceremony, led by youth, that brought our community together and grounded us further in our identity and kaupapa.
At the heart of everything we did in 2024 was whanaungatanga. Strengthening our relationships with each other, with tamariki and rangatahi, with whānau, and with the wider community was a key focus. Our Y spaces became places of connection and support. We were proud to welcome Weave into our building, offering counselling and financial literacy services from within our own space, and we continued to support initiatives like Jammies for June and food distribution for whānau in need.
Despite ongoing challenges in the funding landscape, particularly with reduced support from government sources, we responded with creativity and resilience. We strengthened our applications to philanthropic funders, introduced new ways to tell our story through data and lived experience, and brought youth directly into funding presentations. Their voices added authenticity and impact. As a result, we secured more philanthropic support than in previous years, ensuring vital services could continue to thrive.
Our Y Ara programme continued to be a standout. This youth-led leadership initiative supported tamariki and rangatahi to take on responsibilities, give back to their peers, and feel part of something bigger. Children were recognised for their mahi through certificates and acknowledgements, reinforcing the value of their contributions and growing their confidence as young leaders.
Our mobile Play Trailer continued to be a community favourite. With support from Sport Hawke’s Bay, the trailer visited parks and public spaces across the region, providing opportunities for tamariki to play, connect, and engage in physical activity. Many of the children who participated accessed new equipment and experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have. The feedback confirmed what we already knew: the Play Trailer is making a real impact on whānau and communities.
Across our OSCAR services, we maintained consistent participation and high-quality provision. At Puketapu, a small but important rural programme continued with support from MSD, recognising the unique community need. Our Marewa site saw some decline in enrolments, prompting us to strengthen our partnership with the school and improve operations to boost attendance. At Raureka, numbers remained strong despite new competitors in the area. Our teams worked hard to ensure that all our after school and holiday programmes remained fun, safe, and enriching. We were also responsive to short-notice needs like Teacher Only Days, offering additional support for working parents.
Our youth development programme evolved in response to direct feedback from young people and whānau. We shifted away from the Raise Up model to create a more flexible and youth-led approach, guided by the Mana Taiohi framework. Rangatahi took part in a wide range of activities, from kickboxing and skateboarding to trampolining and pool tournaments. The most requested activity – a youth camp – became a reality in December thanks to Whittaker’s Chocolate fundraising and support from Sport Hawke’s Bay. Over 20 rangatahi and three staff spent a weekend at Ranui Farm, making memories, building confidence, and growing friendships.
Behind the scenes, we focused on strengthening our foundation. Every policy and procedure was reviewed, and external auditors provided excellent feedback on the professionalism and passion of our kaimahi. The mahi was intensive, but it ensured our services remain high quality, safe, and future-focused.
Working in the community always brings challenges – it demands flexibility, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to the people we serve. But 2024 was a year where Y Hawke’s Bay rose to meet those challenges with strength, heart and innovation. It was a year of embedding values, growing leadership, and deepening connection. We are proud of what we’ve achieved and excited for what’s to come.