As we reach the end of 2025, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on a year shaped by connection, creativity and community. From moments that unexpectedly captured national attention to quieter wins that made a real difference day to day, this year reminded us that impact shows up in many forms at The Y North.

This year marked one of the most significant periods of progress for the Te Wairoa River Restoration Project. Launched in response to the devastating floods of 2023 at Camp Adair, the project was born from the need to restore a river system that had been under strain for decades and to reconnect people, place and learning along the way.

In November, we welcomed a group of Early Learning Centre leaders from The Y in Tokyo to Tāmaki Makaurau for a three-day cultural and professional field trip. Their visit focused on learning from our approach to early childhood education, with particular interest in te reo Māori, Te Whāriki in action (play based and child-led) and the values that shape our practice.

December wouldn’t feel complete at OSCAR without a little mischief, and for the third year running, Elf on the Shelf has returned to our Hamilton programmes, bringing plenty of excitement, anticipation and laughter along with it.

The Y Raise Up Whau Crew has continued to grow in confidence, connection, and impact throughout 2025. Made up of 25 rangatahi aged 13 to 18 from local schools, the crew has shown what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead, contribute, and shape the communities around them.

This Christmas, The Y Team at Ellerslie Leisure Centre once again supported the Foster Hope Christmas Gift Drive, helping ensure children in foster care across Tāmaki Makaurau received a gift to call their own.

This spring, we teamed up with KidsCan to bring communities together through play, purpose, and partnership. Two charities aligned in values and purpose came together to strengthen their impact through joint initiatives that support thriving communities.

The Y is excited and proud to celebrate Filimaea, one of our Lagoon Centre lifeguards, who recently travelled to Wellington to compete at the New Zealand National Boxing Tournament - a five-day competition held in September. This was his third Nationals appearance, following a runner-up finish two years ago and an impressive win at the Australian Nationals in July.

Pickleball is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. A fun mix of tennis and badminton that’s easy to learn, low-impact and highly social. Accessible to all ages, it’s simple to pick up yet challenging to master, making it the “backyard sport taken up a notch” that so many players find addictive.

Raise Up, The Y’s Youth Development Programme, hosted their flagship Walk the Line event on the 30^th of August at Shed 10 in conjunction with New Zealand Fashion Week.

After celebrating youth creativity on the catwalk at Walk the Line, Raise Up turned up the volume with the New Found Sound Finals, our youth music competition showcasing the next generation of performers.

Last issue, we shared the launch of The Y’s partnership with Counties Energy to restore Te Wairoa River and give schools and young people the chance to be part of the process at Y Camp Adair. These projects tackle climate change, support conservation and bring education to life through hands-on experiences.