Despite being only partway through the first term of 2025, Raise Up, The Y’s youth development programme, has already delivered an impressive array of community outreach events across Auckland and Hamilton.

Raise Up helps high school students develop essential life skills and resilience. With activities chosen and led by the members of each local crew, it’s no surprise that there is a strong focus on outreach and giving back from today’s socially conscious young people.

The rangatahi have started 2025 strong, lending their time, energy, and expertise across a variety of community events, making each one a success:

- Outdoor Movie Event: Helping to run New Lynn’s Summer Fun in the Park, supporting the Whau Local Board in fostering community connections.

- Community Sport Activation: Delivering a free sport event held at a Triangle Park in Auckland’s Massey, where local youth and families enjoyed energetic Touch Rugby games with the North Shore and Massey crews.

- Southside Represent Festival: Manurewa and Mangere crew members ran an activity stall at Westfield Manukau, featuring games, colouring-in, and sports.

- Onehunga Festival: Raise Up provided sporting activities, games, and a popular face painting booth, delighting children with a range of designs (and delighting parents with well-organised queues). The Raise Up crew and the stall impressed the organisers so much that they were awarded ‘Best Volunteering Stall’ – with the organisers saying. “A huge thank you for your participating in the Onehunga Festival. We really appreciate your support and involvement towards making the day a great success”.

Auckland Round the Bays

In early March, Raise Up played a crucial role in New Zealand’s largest fun run, Round the Bays – this year with almost 30,000 athletes taking part. Thirsty participants were greeted by smiling Raise Up crew members operating water stations along the 8.4km coastal route and at the finish line. This year’s hot and sunny weather meant that water was a vital part of the event, and the 74 volunteers were in hot demand to keep the runners hydrated and on the move. Volunteering at such a large event gave the crew valuable insights into being part of large, complex arrangements. “The team had to team build, to think on their feet, to problem solve, in a fast-paced situation under high pressure. They rose to the challenge and more – delivering a ‘chaotic blast’ of energy and support” Donna DQ, Raise Up Marketing and Event Coordinator.

The team aimed to deliver 60 volunteers, and were delighted that not only did the opportunity attract 32 members from Raise Up crews, but also additional young people from Auckland schools. A significant contribution was from St Peter’s College, which requires students to complete service hours by giving back to the community. One of the students had even already completed their service hours, but volunteered because of how much they enjoyed last year, “I loved it last year, and want to give back to my community” Simon, Year 13.

Beyond Auckland

And it’s not just Auckland benefiting from Raise Up’s outreach magic this year. A new partnership with Hamilton libraries kicked off with Children’s Day, where the Hamilton Raise Up crew ran the activities on behalf of the library for the day – supporting children to experience kinetic sand and create lego masterpieces among a wider selection of creative arts and crafts. The crew also took greenscreen photos to give the children a keepsake of their special day.

The crew’s involvement was such a success that they’ve already been invited back for next year. “I was very impressed with the teens helping out, it made our day much less stressful having their help so my team and I greatly appreciated their assistance!” - Natalie Coats Whakaahu/Service Development Librarian

Volunteering at community events is a win-win for everyone: young people gain confidence, skills, and experience, and their volunteer hours contribute towards the Raise Up Youth Endorsement. This formalised record of their achievements can be shared with schools or future employers. Event organisers gain trusted, enthusiastic, and energetic partners who help make their events a success.

It’s fair to say that Raise Up has kicked off 2025 on a high note, and there are more events to come, such as the Splash and Sports Day at Margaret Griffin Park in Lynfield, a beach cleanup in West Auckland, and supporting the Cultural Mini Market Day at Mt Albert library in the coming weeks. Plus, don’t miss the Raise Up sausage sizzle at Auckland’s Mt Roskill Bunnings on 12 April! Here’s to an incredible year ahead.

To find out more about joining Raise Up, becoming a community partner, or making a donation, please visit raiseup.org.nz