Youth Approach

Young people are an important part of Kapiti Coast's future.

We are developing a Youth Approach by listening to taiohi and working alongside them. It will help make sure young people’s voices, aspirations and experiences are reflected in how we plan, provide services and make decisions.

The Youth Approach will provide a shared direction for supporting young people across Kapiti to feel connected, supported, heard and able to thrive.

What the Youth Approach is

We are developing a Youth Approach for Kāpiti that reflects the needs, strengths, and aspirations of taiohi (young people aged 12 to 24).

The Youth Approach will sit alongside our Age Friendly Approach and provide a framework for how we support youth wellbeing, participation, and development.

It is being shaped by insights from the Gathering Taiohi Voices Report 2026, which captured the experiences and priorities of more than 1,000 young people across Kāpiti.

Together with a Youth Action Plan, the Youth Approach will guide practical actions that help create a district where young people feel connected, supported, heard, and able to thrive.

What we're doing

We have been listening to young people, youth organisations, schools, community groups, and mana whenua to better understand what matters most to young people in Kāpiti.

The Gathering Taiohi Voices Report 2026 highlighted key priorities for young people, including:

  • wellbeing

  • belonging

  • safe and inclusive spaces

  • pathways into employment

  • affordable transport

  • a stronger youth voice in decision-making.

These insights are helping shape both the Youth Approach and Youth Action Plan.

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