Our team at Whakatipu Youth Trust (WYT) have developed our own service framework that defines and intertwines our values, along with the way in which we practice. This shapes outcomes for our rangatahi which ultimately positions them as resilient, empowered, and capable to navigate their community safely and actively.
Our Service Framework Explained
Kete
The Kete is a basket woven from harakeke (flax), a plant that is often a metaphor for family bonds and human relationships. The passing down of generational knowledge is woven into the harekeke fibres of the kete basket and can be traced back to Māori mythology. In addition to their practical uses, the kete also represents a vessel of knowledge and wisdom. For WYT the kete signifies the theories, models of practice and whakapapa that are woven through our youth services and practice. The kete holds the knowledge that enables WYT to practice from an evidence-based and accountable framework whilst meeting the needs of the individual, the whānau, and the community.
Koru
The koru symbolises life, growth, strength and peace. It’s shape conveys fluid movement, hidden and potential energy, creation and revitalisation, light and insight. WYT incorporated the koru into our framework as it signifies the support, opportunities and awhi we provide to rāngatahi to grow, learn new skills, to be heard, to be safe and have hope. This reflects the growth young people experience between the ages 10 to 24 years during a time of significant development, and various fundamental transitional changes. WYT values are embedded and strengthen the stem, providing a stable foundation for the koru and rāngatahi to flourish.
The Rāngatahi
Rāngatahi (youth) are positioned at the centre of the koru, symbolising that our young people are placed at the very heart of everything we do. Every young person is born with mana which determines their right to have agency in their lives and the decisions that affect them. We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and we hope that everyone who interacts with young people does so in a way that both acknowledges and enhances their mana.
Whakatauki
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi – with your basket and my basket the people will thrive. We share our knowledge and energy; we take care of each other. We support one another in our village so that our young people will learn, grow, thrive and prosper wherever they are in the world. This is a collective approach, highlighting the idea that we are a part of something greater than ourselves and speaks to relationships between peoples, our environment and our cultures over time.