Ara Taiohi was set up in 2010, when New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) and the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa (NYWNA) decided to come together to form a new national youth sector organisation.

It was set up to support people who work with young people, thereby enhancing youth development. It was a bold move that combined the experience, know-how and trusting relationships NZAAHD and NYWNA had developed over the last two decades, with a greater vision to lead, support and galvanise the youth sector.

The name of the new organisation was chosen in consultation with Māori executive members of NZAAHD and NYWNA and their two kaumātua, Tamati Cairns and Ruru Hona. ‘Ara’ means ‘pathway to/for’ and ‘taiohi’ means ‘young person’ in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

To smoothly wind up two organisations and start a new one, a transition committee was set up to oversee the process alongside the Boards of each organisation. The members of the transition committee spent over a year developing and breathing life into the organisation. Thanks goes to Trissel Mayor, Rod Baxter, Rebecca Blaikie, Sarah Chapman, John Harrington, Kirsten Smith, Hilary Sumpter, Elizabeth Kerekere, Cherrill Rave and James Makowharemahihi .

Ara Taiohi was launched at Involve youth conference in November 2010, and NYWNA and NZAAHD wound up officially in 31 March 2011.

To see the Spring 2010 newsletter announcing Ara Taiohi, click HERE.

To see a little about the history of the Code of Ethics for Youth Workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, click HERE.