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Three rangatahi sitting on the rocks at an AYP community day, one pointing out along the coast
Aotearoa New Zealand / youth-led

Empowering youth.Building pathways.

A youth-led organisation helping rangatahi move from participation to leadership, and from potential to impact.

Get involvedSee what we actually do
01 / Who we are

By youth. For youth. Rooted in community.

See how you can help

AYP is a New Zealand organisation run by young people, for young people. We run programs, organise events, and build community spaces where rangatahi can connect, grow, and lead.

01 / Vision
A future where every young person in Aotearoa can belong, lead, and thrive.
02 / Mission
To create pathways for young people through sport, community initiatives, leadership opportunities, and meaningful connections.
03 / Purpose
To help young people move from participation to leadership, and from potential to impact.
03 / What we do

Real activities. Already happening.

01Football

AYP Football Tournament

Our first major community event: a football tournament run in collaboration with ARCC. Teams competed, medals were awarded, and rangatahi showed up in numbers. This is the kind of event we plan to grow.

Frequency
Yearly
Who
All rangatahi
Status
Delivered
The winning team with the trophy and medals
Medals being handed out after the final
02Outdoors

Hikes & Outdoor Days

We take rangatahi out into nature: bush walks, bridge crossings, and open hillsides. Getting outside together builds trust, resilience, and real friendships outside of screens and classrooms.

Frequency
Monthly
Who
All rangatahi
Status
Running
A group of rangatahi on a bush track, throwing peace signs
Crossing a swing bridge through the bush
03SportFlagship

Badminton Sessions

Our flagship sporting activity. Every month rangatahi of all skill levels come to play, compete, and connect. You do not need to know how to play. You just need to show up. Badminton is where a lot of our best friendships are built.

Frequency
Monthly
Who
All rangatahi
Status
Running
The whole group lined up against the hall wall after a badminton session, arms in the air
A player mid-swing in the foreground while games run on the courts behind
A player leaning back for an overhead shot beside the net
A player at the net with a racket, turning to the camera mid-session
A game in play at the net while others watch from the side of the court
04Creative

Art & Craft Workshops

Creative sessions where rangatahi paint, craft, and make things together. These workshops are a space to slow down, express yourself, and connect with others in a low-pressure environment.

Frequency
Monthly
Who
All rangatahi
Status
Delivered
Painting at a craft workshop
Rangatahi making things together at a workshop

Next on the track

Leadership, wellbeing workshops and career pathways, launching as we grow.

04 / The track

From participation to leadership.

There is no complicated sign-up process and no waiting list. You show up, you belong, and over time you grow into something bigger than you expected.

  1. Five rangatahi sitting close together on a garden bench in the sun, leaning in over an open book

    01 / 05

    Stage 1 of 5: Connect

    Join our community hub

    You hear about AYP through social media, a friend, or a community event. You follow us or join our WhatsApp hub. No application, no barriers. Just come as you are.

  2. Players crossing the court between games, nets set up the length of the hall

    02 / 05

    Stage 2 of 5: Show Up

    Attend a session

    You attend your first AYP event, programme, or badminton session. You meet the team and other rangatahi. You see this is a real space run by real young people.

  3. A group around a long table mid-craft session, paint palettes and brushes out, several wearing flower crowns

    03 / 05

    Stage 3 of 5: Get Involved

    Join a programme

    You start participating regularly. You join a programme that fits you, whether that is leadership, wellbeing, sport, or community projects.

  4. Five walkers grinning on a bush track in rain jackets, throwing shakas at the camera

    04 / 05

    Stage 4 of 5: Grow

    Build skills and confidence

    Over time you gain confidence, skills, and a network. AYP supports you with practical tools and mentorship, and you start to see a clearer path forward.

  5. Three players in football strip looking down at the medals around their necks after a final

    05 / 05

    Stage 5 of 5: Lead

    Lead and mentor others

    You take on a leadership role within AYP. You help run events, mentor newer members, or lead a community project. You become the reason the next rangatahi shows up.

05 / Our values

What we stand for.

These values guide how we work, how we communicate, and how we show up for rangatahi every day.

  1. 01

    Respect

    We treat people with dignity, fairness, and consideration.

  2. 02

    Believe

    We believe in ourselves, each other, and the potential of young people.

  3. 03

    Empathy

    We listen, seek to understand, and care about others' experiences.

  4. 04

    Support

    We help, encourage, and stand by one another.

  5. 05

    Get Sh*t Done

    We take initiative, follow through, and stay action-focused.

  6. 06

    Communication

    We communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully.

  7. 07

    Kindness

    We lead with compassion and positive intention.

  8. 08

    Reliability

    We show up, stay committed, and can be trusted.

  9. 09

    Diligence

    We work with focus, responsibility, and effort.

  10. 10

    Fun

    We create positive energy and enjoy the journey together.

06 / For organisations

Partner with AYP and invest in what matters.

We are actively looking for organisations, schools, funders, and businesses who want to engage with youth work in Aotearoa.

01Direct access to rangatahi
AYP gives you a trusted, authentic connection to young people in Aotearoa, built through genuine community, not a database.
02Co-designed programmes
We work with partners to design programmes that meet both the needs of rangatahi and the goals of your organisation.
03Community visibility
Your organisation is seen as one that genuinely invests in youth. We share that story across our platforms and community.
04Honest reporting
We report back transparently on what we run, who shows up, and what changes. No inflated numbers, real impact.

Who we work with

Schools & Kura

Bring AYP programmes into your school, or refer students to our community spaces.

Businesses & Employers

Support career pathways, host sessions, or offer mentorship and work experience.

Funders & Trusts

Fund specific programmes or our operational capacity, with clear reporting.

Community Organisations

Collaborate on shared goals through referrals, joint events, and resource sharing.

Ready to start a conversation?

Reach us at ayp.nzorg@gmail.com

Get in touch
07 / Get involved

We are building something real. Be part of it.

Our focus right now is simple: build community, grow our reach, and connect with organisations who care about youth. There is a place for everyone here.

Start here

Join the AYP community hub

Stay connected with AYP and hear about upcoming events, opportunities, and community activities, all in one place.

Join our community on WhatsAppJoin our team

For rangatahi

You belong here. Follow us, and show up to an event run by young people who get it.

Follow on Instagram: For rangatahi

For organisations

Partner with us, fund a programme, or start a conversation. Early support shapes everything we become.

Email the team: For organisations

For the community

Share our story, spread the word, and help us grow. Every share brings us closer to the rangatahi who need us.

Say Kia Ora: For the community
Application

Want to help build AYP?

We are looking for passionate young people to join us and shape what this organisation becomes. Leave your details and we will be in touch.

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