Youth Strategy

The future of any community lies in the young people that live and work within it.  The Horowhenua District has a youth population that presents unique challenges and opportunities for Council and community groups to develop and implement strategies that will help our young people to meet their future challenges and ensure Horowhenua is a great place for young people to live.

Young people make up a large proportion of our community.  Young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years, being 5,343 according to the 2001 Census, make up 18% of the District's population of 29,832.  The current generation of young people is facing changing needs as they move towards adulthood.  Many of our young people leave the district to further their education, seek employment or travel.  There is pressure on Council to create an environment that encourages more of our young people to stay in the District, as well as attracting young adults to relocate here.

The needs of this population group will change over time and therefore the needs will have to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.  The requirements of and activities for young people will have to match their changing needs.

The Horowhenua Youth Strategy has been developed to ensure coordinated and proactive planning, advocacy, support and facilitation to be delivered by Council, working alongside other agencies and groups in the community.

Horowhenua Youth Strategy Document