A great place to grow up
The vision
We think Tauranga is a great place to grow up. It’s the lifestyle, education and career opportunities on offer that make us want to live here. We feel like we belong. We are valued, listened to, respected and are supported to achieve our goals. This is our community – a safe and happening place – a place where we have a say in our future.
Young people feel this is their community- a place where they belong
Let’s have fun: Youth festivals and events that have recently been in our annual 
calendar include the: Tauranga Moana Rangatahi Awards being held in 2007, a Krumping Competition being enjoyed by many at the Merivale Action Centre, our National Kapa Haka competition held here in 2005, and our Tauranga Moana Youth Council organised Christmas in the Bay in 2006 and 2007, a fun family event.
Young people live in a safe and supportive community
Be Young, Stay Safe: We put our money where our mouth is with programmes like Live it, Survive it, our Youth Ambassador Programme (now not running), our Merivale and Greerton schools promoting health to our young people, our youth Radio Station Tahi FM and a police constable has been appointed to work and watch over Merivale and Greerton communities. The Merivale Community Centre now organises an impressive number of activitiesfor our youth.
Young people feel they are valued, listened to and respected
Let’s do it together: Organisations in our community encourage the building of relationships between our youth and our aged people by supporting processes that bring these two highly-valued age groups together. One of these projects was
called REVAMP and run by the Youth Trust.
Healthcare: Our community health workers are now working in our schools.
Education and career opportunities are attractive to young people
Western Bay@Work: The primary aim of this project (30 events July/August 2008) is to expose young people to career opportunities that are available to them locally. The programme is co-ordinated by Instep.
More Learning Opportunities: Additional tertiary degree programmes are being introduced by the University of Waikato and at the recent Government Forum on Tertiary Education, Waikato University and Bay Of Plenty Polytech were held up nationally as a great example for their tertiary strategy.
Case Studies:
Gateway Programme Bethlehem College: All secondary schools in the western Bay of Plenty have joined the Gateway programme, which is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission. The programme gives senior students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while learning new skills. Hands-on, on site, practical learning can lead a participant to a nationally recognised qualification while helping them to move smoothly from school to a work environment. Bethlehem College’s workplace coordinator Trish Nixon, works alongside students to identify their work interests and associated skills and matches these to their career choice, keeping in mind that employers select a student based on their ability to complement their business objectives.
After being placed in the building industry last year and making a decision it was not for him, Caleb is now working in Ivan’s Auto electrical workshop aiming at an apprenticeship in the Auto Electrical Trade.
Otumoetai College Health Initiative: Otumoetai College student health coordinator Tricia Tyrell provides free health care to students at the college. Encouraging and educating students to avoid/stop alcohol consumption, illegal drug usage, sexual activity and bad eating habits through good choices and behaviour changes. Otumoetai College Principal Dave Randell believes the concept of a professional healthcare worker in schools is an excellent idea and the western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation should be congratulated for funding positions in all seven Tauranga secondary schools.
Indicators - how we measure - Great place to grow up