Ministry of Youth Development and Manukau City Council

29 May 2007

Funding boost for innovative council youth project

Manukau City Council has won government funding for an innovative project that will benefit local young people.

Youth Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the successful recipients
“I’m delighted to congratulate Manukau City Council, whose innovative project Community Computer Clubhouse Online, is among those to be awarded funding. I am excited that the Ministry is able to support this initiative, which will involve, challenge and encourage local young people,” Minister Mahuta said. 

Fund recipients include councils stretching from the far north to the heart of the south, covering rural, metropolitan and provincial communities, with funding totalling more than $1.3million. The Community Computer Clubhouse Online will receive funding of $44,800 (including gst).

The Community Computer Clubhouse Online project is aimed at providing youth with an online voice (“Digital Democracy”), enabling them to express, discuss and debate issues that are important to them; as well as a physical space for youth to strengthen and celebrate social and cultural connections with their peers.

His Worship the Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said “I am delighted that the government has endorsed our project. Manukau is a very young city, with a huge youth population, and it is important for us to meet their needs in ways they can relate to. They are a “wired” generation and love new technology. That’s why the council decided to create this opportunity for them to connect online.”

Minister Mahuta said the Fund's theme of education, training and employment aligned with the priorities set by the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs. "The selected projects offer a huge range of opportunities for young people through the provision of activities which support enterprise, learning, leadership, participation, and development of resources for young people.”

"The fund reflects the fact that councils not only need to develop projects which address the needs of young people in their communities, but that they also need to be innovative and inclusive in their approach if they are to truly engage with young people and keep them involved and enthusiastic.

A key objective of the Youth Development Partnership Fund is to increase achievement of positive social, economic and wellbeing outcomes for young people by providing opportunities to develop valuable work, life and learning skills.

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