Thriving young people equates to a stronger community

Established in 2011 in Marlborough, local charity Graeme Dingle Foundation

Marlborough is a leader in positive child and youth development helping young New Zealanders to achieve their potential. Words by Amy Russ.

Their vision is ‘Thriving young people, strong community’ and, with the help of the wider community, they have gone from helping 14 young people in 2011 to working with over 3,200 of the region’s young people in 2023! The Marlborough team works with local tamariki and rangatahi at key life transition points. General Manager, Kelvin Watt, says that presently there are five transformational programmes available for local youth. Involving around 20 staff members and over 1100 volunteers across the region from all walks of life, their programmes bring everyone together to achieve a common goal.

A key programme is Kiwi Can, which is for primary school children aged 5 to 12 years. Delivered every week, to every child in every class, across 15 primary schools across Marlborough, it teaches positive relationships, the values of respect, integrity and resilience.

Just one example of the phenomenal difference the programme can make is apparent through the story of one child, Sam (not their real name). Sam attends primary school in Marlborough and is one of over 50% of children in the region who benefits from weekly Kiwi Can lessons. Since participating in the programme, Sam, has never missed school on Kiwi Can day. “It’s one of their favourite parts of the whole week,” says their mother. The two Kiwi Can leaders are among my child’s most favourite people in the world. You guys are magic, thank you for your mahi.” Sam’s teacher has noticed a marked difference as well saying that their increased confidence in working and playing with others has also ‘spilled over’ from Kiwi Can into their behaviour in the regular classroom.