Everything you need to know…
The Graeme Dingle Foundation, in partnership with the University of Auckland’s Centre for Community Research and Evaluation, along with Ara Taiohi, are bringing together individuals in the field of youth work and youth development to discuss the complex identities of young people. This event acknowledges how race, gender, sexuality, and other aspects of a young person’s identity interact to contribute to their unique life experiences.
When: Friday 30th August.
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Where: University of Auckland, Building 201, 10 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010.
General Admission: $57.50 per person incl. GST (incl. lunch).
*Student Price: $34.99 per person incl. GST (incl. lunch).
Purchase your tickets here.
*Limited student tickets available: Take advantage of our special student discount! To receive your student discount code, please email jessica.wong@dinglefoundation.org.nz for more details.
Click here to download and access the full information sheet for the Research Symposium.
Our Speakers:
Dr. Jazz Robson & Alayne McKee
Title: When silence says it all: Young people’s communication experiences in youth justice family group conference settings.
Description: This presentation discusses the concept of silence and young people’s communication experiences in youth justice family group conference settings (FGCs). In this presentation, Jazz will share some of the findings from her recent doctoral research, including her model of silence which was informed by rangatahi experiences of being silent and silenced. To conclude the talk, Alayne will discuss a strategy you can use alongside young people that allows them to reduce the communication barriers within the FGC, making it easier for them to participate.
Bio: Dr Jazz Robson (Ngāti Tuwharetoa & Ngāti Raukawa) is an independent researcher with a Doctor of Philosophy specialising in young people’s participation rights and youth justice family group conferencing. Her area of interest is in children’s participation rights and the impacts of silence on children’s and young people’s full experience of their participation rights. Jazz recently completed her doctoral thesis in AUT’s School of Social Sciences & Public Policy.
Alayne is a speech-language therapist at Talking Trouble Aotearoa NZ. Her work focuses on developing workforce capacity effective communication so everyone involved in conversations can understand each other and say what they want to say. Alayne has been involved in a number of research projects looking at experiences of communication, e.g. ‘Listening to young peoples’ experiences of communication within the youth justice sector in New Zealand’ and ‘The Language of Protection Orders.’
Fay Amaral
Title: If there were no barriers, what would you be?
Description: Youth perceived barriers mediate between career pathways and how they feel. The study explored specific mediating effects between career indecision and depression in high school students transitioning into tertiary studies or work. The research also investigates themes and youth perspectives through vignettes on barriers and dreams.
Bio: Fay Amaral has over two decades of executive leadership experience, including a notable tenure as CEO in various sectors spanning education, film, retail, and media. Recently, Fay stepped into her new role as CEO of Whitecliffe Education after serving five years as the CEO of YouthTown (est. 1932), a national non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young people in Aotearoa. With a strong background in psychology, Fay completed her PhD thesis (Auckland University of Technology), focusing on the prevalence of career indecision, self-efficacy, sense of control, and mental health in school leavers transitioning to tertiary studies or work. Fay’s deep interest in education extends beyond her professional career. She has trained and practiced as a volunteer counsellor for Lifeline, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy in South Africa.
Kahu Hepburn
Title: Exploring early psychosis in South Auckland alongside rangatahi Māori
Description: The central question of this rangahau (research) was: “How can we increase awareness and understanding among communities to better support Rangatahi Māori diagnosed with early psychosis?”. This rangahau employs ethnography in conjunction with the Kaupapa Māori rangahau methodology to draw conclusions from the researchers own professional experiences and observations. The theoretical framework of Kaupapa Wānanga guided this rangahau voyage. The rangahau emphasised the importance of empowering whanau in these communities to understand and assist their rangatahi. The significance of this rangahau lies in its potential to increase awareness and understanding among communities, leading to better support for Rangatahi Māori diagnosed with early psychosis. By sharing these strategies, we can make a positive difference in the lives of these rangatahi and their whanau.
Bio: Kahu Hepburn, originally from Wellington, is in his third-year of a Bachelor’s degree in Bicultural Social Work at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Currently working as a support worker at a Kaupapa Māori organization, he guides rangatahi, providing crucial mental health support. Kahu finds his role deeply fulfilling as he strives to empower and encourage young people to achieve their goals and navigate through mental health challenges. He is passionate about early intervention for the overall wellbeing of rangatahi and aims to make a positive impact in the community helping youth thrive and reach their full potential. Kahu has found there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing someone’s journey from self-doubt to self-belief. When he is not working or studying, he enjoys football and engaging with the whenua (land). These activities help me realign and strengthen my capacity to support rangatahi effectively.
Dr. Tania Cliffe-Tautari
Title: I am proud to be Māori: youth offending, cultural identity, cultural connectedness and resilience.
Description: Rangatahi Māori classified as serious youth offenders are often described as ‘disconnected from their culture,’ but this may not reflect their own self-perceptions. Findings from a PhD study with 29 participants, including 10 rangatahi Māori (15–17 years) sentenced in Youth Court for offending behaviours, revealed three themes: 1) Pride in being Māori, 2) The normalcy of being Māori, and 2) Feeling judged about their Māori identity. All rangatahi participants held positive views of their cultural identity and were culturally connected. These findings suggest that pride in being Māori, whānau connections, and cultural practices like pūrākau (storytelling) help them resist racism, racial profiling, discrimination, low expectations, and bias.
Bio: Dr Tania Cliffe-Tautari (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) is a lecturer in Te Puna Wānanga, School of Māori and Indigenous Education at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland and is the co-director of an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Social Justice Studies degree. She has worked in education and youth justice, conducting transdisciplinary kaupapa Māori research across education, social services, and youth justice. Her research interests are driven by a desire to improve educational, health, and social outcomes for rangatahi Māori and whānau. She is currently working on a project investigating trauma in the lives of rangatahi engaged with the youth justice system.
Lloyd Martin – Sponsored by the King’s Trust
Title: Don’t give up on us: Young people in adversity speak about what’s helpful.
Description: This research discusses an evaluation that followed the journeys of young people across six different alternative education (AE) programmes. Using a qualitative approach, data was sourced from interviews with rangatahi and alternative education staff, supplemented by a series of activity observations at each of the six AE programmes involved. The presentation explores the perspectives of rangatahi around what was changing for them and what factors were helping to create those changes. Three key areas of personal change will be discussed that were consistently identified across the cohort. The study highlights that some rangatahi in AE environments need ongoing support to sustain long-term positive outcomes.
Bio: Lloyd Martin has extensive experience working with youth and in the education sector supporting Aotearoa’s rangatahi. Lloyd’s specialist areas are the Circle of Mana (a model of youth development) and alternative education. Lloyd established an NZQA private training establishment (Praxis) in Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands that offers qualifications in youth development. These days he grows veges for his whānau, writes, and facilitates workshops in youth development. This year he is finishing off a Doctorate of Education through Victoria University of Wellington and will present his thesis that is set in the alternative education environment. Lloyd’s style of teaching uses practical and interactive approaches (having spent his whole life working with people with short attention spans!).
Julie Moore & Adi Cummings
Title: Inclusive youth development: Integrating theory and practice for neurodiverse learners.
Description: Currently, Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes include a variety of practical tools and techniques to support neurodiverse learners. This presentation will introduce a research project aimed at deepening our understanding of neurodiverse young people and the unique challenges they face in educational and developmental contexts. By integrating theory-driven approaches with inclusive evaluation methods, the project seeks to establish a framework for youth development activities that are both accessible and effective for neurodiverse and neurotypical learners. A key focus of this project is to provide practical skills and examples for staff to facilitate programmes effectively, with an emphasis on hands-on, empathetic approaches. In this presentation, we will look at how the integration of research and practical facilitation can lead to more inclusive and effective youth development programmes, benefiting both neurodiverse and neurotypical learners.
Bio: Julie Moore: In my role as manager of Research and Evaluation for the Graeme Dingle Foundation, I have worked collaboratively with universities as well as conducting research with a focus on improving youth development programmes and examining outcomes for participants. I have developed a particular interest in the sharing of evidenced-based knowledge that supports the delivery of effective youth development programmes. More recently, I have been exploring the use of a theory of change approach to evaluate programmes and support programme development in real time.
Hello, Kia Ora, Nin Hao, Talofa Lava. Adi Cummings is a New Zealander with Chinese, Samoan and New Zealand Māori with Scottish ancestry. She began her journey in the youth sector as a mentor in the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s programme Project K and later left her corporate role to work at the Foundation. Now marking 12 years, she has supported mentor training and delivery of two other Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes, Stars and Career Navigator. Concurrently alongside Adi’s mahi, she has mentored 5 young wahine aged 14-15 in year 10, through the Project K programme. This was an empowering experience where she learnt a lot about herself and supported a young person to navigate through life challenges and turn opportunities into learning experiences. Adi believes the mahi done at the Foundation – in collaboration with other Youth Agencies – is a fulfilling one – “I know without a shadow of doubt, we all empower young people to overcome obstacles and equip them with the skills they need to be a positive person in Aotearoa.”
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Julie Moore, Research & Evaluation Manager.
In Partnership with:
