奥克兰青年获支持：从舞台走向教育与就业
青年部长詹姆斯·米格尔（James Meager）表示，一项新的合作计划将帮助数百名面临风险的年轻人，通过领导力培训和导师辅导，进一步拓展他们在教育和就业方面的发展道路。
新西兰政府将通过“青年发展伙伴关系与创新基金”（Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund）投入 35万纽元，支持 The Polyfest Trust 开展为期三个月的项目，预计将惠及 350多名、年龄介于12至24岁的奥克兰青年。
与此同时，Rangitāmiro Limited 将提供25万纽元、One Foundation Limited 提供10万纽元的共同资金，使该项目的总投入达到 70万纽元。
米格尔部长表示，这项计划本周在国际青年日相关活动期间公布，并将在 **ASB Polyfest 毛利舞台（Māori Stage）**开展。
他说，参与者将通过四场培训活动，学习领导力、目标设定和决策等技能，同时为参加中学Kapa Haka全国比赛以及 ASB Polyfest 2027 做准备。
项目还将与青年导师合作，为每名参与者制定个性化的出席和参与计划，并帮助他们探索未来的教育、职业培训和就业机会，为长期发展打下基础。
米格尔表示，ASB Polyfest已经发展成为全球规模最大的太平洋文化节庆活动之一，是文化、语言和身份认同的重要展示平台。它不仅让年轻人展示自己的文化，也为他们提供了增强自信、培养领导能力以及建立归属感的机会。
“我们知道，文化和社区在帮助年轻人取得成功方面发挥着重要作用。通过投资这类项目，我们正在帮助年轻人发挥潜力，并建立通往教育、就业和领导岗位的长期发展道路。”他说。
Auckland youth supported from stage to study
A new partnership is supporting The Polyfest Trust to strengthen hundreds of at-risk young people’s educational and employment pathways through leadership development and mentoring opportunities, Youth Minister James Meager says.
The Government is investing $350,000 through the Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund to support The Polyfest Trust to deliver its three-month programme to more than 350 Auckland young people aged 12 to 24.
That investment is being doubled to $700,000, through co-funding from Rangitāmiro Limited ($250,000) and One Foundation Limited ($100,000).
Mr Meager says the programme, announced as part of International Youth Day celebrations this week, will be run as part of the ASB Polyfest Māori stage.
“Through four sessions, participants will gain leadership, goal-setting, and decision-making skills as they prepare for the Secondary School Kapa Haka Nationals and ASB Polyfest 2027,” Mr Meager says.
“Personalised attendance and engagement plans will be developed alongside youth mentors, as the young people explore future education, training, or employment opportunities, to set them up for long-term success.
“ASB Polyfest has grown into one of the largest Pacific cultural festivals in the world and is a powerful celebration of culture, language, and identity. It provides young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
“We know that culture and community play an important role in helping young people succeed. By investing in these sorts of programmes, we are supporting young people to realise their potential and build strong pathways into education, employment, and leadership.”
