What Kāpiti youth want?

March 7, 2011 admin Youth 0

A major survey of youth living on the Kāpiti Coast has provided a snapshot of what youth really want rather than what older people think they want, district councillor Penny Gaylor said today.
The survey of around 10% of the youth population of Kāpiti was conducted by Kāpiti Coast Youth Council late last year and aimed to capture the experience, opinions and ideas of the District’s younger population.
Five key themes were identified from the survey findings and will feature in the display:

  • Young people feel connected with their community but are frustrated by lack of activities and spaces for youth in the District
  • Young people want more youth friendly communities
  • Young people often feel unsafe in our District and have to deal with issues of discrimination and stereotyping
  • Young people want a stronger role in our communities.
  • Young people struggle with transport options around the District
    Boredom and feeling there is ‘nothing to do’ came up frequently as an issue for young people. There was a strong call for youth centres/youth hangouts.
    763 young people between the ages of 12 to 25 years from across the district contributed to the report with the bulk of survey respondents of college age.
    When the survey was presented to the Kāpiti Coast District Council late last year councillors congratulated the Youth Council on their work on the survey and Mayor Jenny Rowan said, “As one youth council member said, the youth have spoken. It’s up to us to listen and act in collaboration with our young people to support positive youth development in our District.”
    A full copy of the survey report is on the Council website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/.