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In the heart of New Zealand, the Y’s commitment to nurturing the potential of young people is taking flight through programmes like Raise Up. These initiatives are more than just activities; they’re launching pads for opportunity and growth. Today, we spotlight a transformative journey for two lucky members of our Raise Up crew, who were awarded the prestigious Kiwi-Dragon Scholarship by CNSST (Formerly known as Chinese New Settlers Services Trust). Read the story of Paige's exciting trip to China...

The Y North Shore's women's basketball league has been running for over thirty years. But it is more than just a sporting event; it's a movement towards inclusivity. Open to women aged 17 to 60 and beyond, the league welcomes players of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned veterans. The league’s structure is designed to accommodate players ranging from beginners to advanced, ensuring that “everyone, regardless of their experience level, has a place to play and grow”.

The Blue Light Scheme delivers and supports a wide range of youth development programmes. The Y's Raise Up has contributed to a new initiative for school leaders across three South Auckland schools.

On an otherwise gloomy Auckland day, where rain urged most to stay indoors, a group of dedicated dog lovers and their furry friends made a splash at The Y Onehunga Pool’s Dog Day. It was a day where the usual ‘No Pets’ rule was joyfully set aside, and the pool gates opened wide for a canine takeover.

At The Y, we empower our young people in many ways. School Holiday programmes need to captivate and inspire everyone, from the youngest children to adolescents. Young people need care and support, and to have access to activities that are age appropriate.

Over the Christmas Summer Holiday Programme at The Y Hamilton, 11-15-year-olds attending the programme learnt the skills, techniques and worked in pairs to create their very own stop motion animated short film.

The Y was everywhere at March’s Round the Bays event. Runners, fundraisers, supporters... But the race couldn’t have gone on without the epic mahi of our awesome Raise Up volunteers. These passionate young people offered up their time to run the very necessary water stations across the route. With 6 stations in total across the racecourse, their role was integral for the runners’ and walkers’ well-being, preventing dehydration and offering uplifting cheers.

Our North Shore team identified an opportunity to increase access to the gym; to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, such as autism, by providing a quieter and less stimulating environment in centre. Called ’quiet hour’, it recognises that people have different accessibility needs and creates an environment to match.

Andy Rodgers, Shakespear Lodge’s manager, feels lucky to live and work in the community, and is eager to share the beauty with others, both with the lucky young people who attend camp, and with the local community. Sharing his insider knowledge of the tracks and paths around the park, he has created a running club for locals to join and share in the environment.

In an exciting move, the Ministry of Development (MYD) has provided funding for The Y’s newest initiative, designed to uplift young New Zealanders facing adversity. This investment underscores MYD’s confidence in The Y’s proven expertise to guide vulnerable youth towards promising futures.

The Active Agers programme, a partnership between the Velodrome Cambridge and The Y Hamilton, was a finalist in the 2023 Waikato Sport & Active Recreation Awards for its outstanding contribution to the health and wellbeing of seniors in the Waikato community.

The Y North is proud to present our annual report for the year 2022-2023, a year that tested our resilience, adaptability, and commitment to our mission. Even in the face of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, chaotic weather, and a challenging social scape, The Y has continued to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and enjoy opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.

We all want to experience more joy and laughter in our hectic and complex world, and to lead a life that is rich, rewarding, and fun. But sometimes, life gets in the way. You can feel burdened by your obligations, anxious from your problems, or dulled by your habits. Sometimes, you are just too exhausted, you get trapped in a cycle, or you feel too overwhelmed. But by managing some of the little things, when the world is so unpredictable, you can feel more like you are flourishing, not just coping. We have some small tips from the experts to share that could make 2024 a little smoother and a little brighter for you.