THE STORY OF WHANAKE YOUTH
We are a small team of friendly healthcare professionals who are passionate about the health and wellbeing of the youth in our community. We are excited to see positive change in the lives of our local rangatahi and offer a non-judgmental space to nurture and develop their health and wellbeing.
Whanake means to rise up to the sky,
to move onwards, to spring up,
develop and to grow...
Our office is based at Unit N, 530 Main Rd Stoke (in Stoke Central Mall). We are open every day between 8.30-4.30pm and would love have you pop in for a coffee.
Our new youth site for all youth programs for young people age 12-24 years is based at 548 Main Rd Stoke (behind Stoke Memorial hall) next to Marsden Cricket ground. We call this space HQ
Our goal is to raise the quality of care for young people across the district, from Nelson through Tasman, by providing youth services such as holistic healthcare, advice, support, a safe space and an inspiring place, supported by knowledgeable, trained professionals who deeply care about our community and how the young people are nurtured.
About
The Youth Health and Wellbeing Charitable Trust was formed in March 2017 and we proudly call ourselves: Whanake Youth.
Whanake means to rise up to the sky, to move onwards, to spring up, develop and to grow. We believe that this name resonates with our mission.
Mission
To empower rangatahi to participate and lead their journey from adolescence to adulthood with the support of community and whanau.
Vision
Every young person has the opportunity to realise their potential .
In April 2017, as a direct result of consulting with over 3000 young people in the Nelson Tasman Marlborough area in 2016 and after several community meetings, the Youth Health and Wellbeing Trust was formed.
Our working name is Whanake Youth.
Our name was chosen in consultation with Te Piki Oranga,
young people and the Board of Trustees.
Principles
Youth Centred
Youth and their whanau remain central and empowered to participate in all aspects of health and wellbeing.
Culturally Safe
Cultural safety is accepted and maintained as an essential component of all care.
Efficient
Learning and adopting existing best practice examples of youth development health care and management while avoiding duplicated services.
Effective
Establishing appropriate, measurable indicators that will provide useful feedback about achieved health and wellbeing improvements.
Equitable
Focussed on reducing health disparities in the community.
Enabling
Health sector professionals will be enabled to maximise their delivery of quality care across community and relevant services.

Board
Congratulations to the following people who were voted as the new Whanake Youth Board for 2020/2021. We look forward to more exciting news from the Board as Whanake Youth continues to grow.
Jaqueline Bone-Chairperson
Debbie Bright-Treasurer
Bastian Atkinson-Youth rep
Vacant-Youth rep
Charlie Parfitt-Board member
Maree Shalders-Board member
Paul McGregor-Board Secretary
Lee-ann O'Brien-Manager
Margaret Martin-Board Treasurer
Staff
Senior leadership team
Manager: Lee-ann O'Brien
Clinical Lead: Ruth Rogers
School Team
Nayland College:
Kelly Rogers-Nurse
Tania Wright-Nurse (Specialty area-youth mental health)
Robyn Fenselau-Social Worker
Motueka High School
Gwyneth Barr
Broadgreen Intermediate
Lauren Penney-Youth Health worker
Community team
Barney Hodges-Youth Worker and WTF
Jonny Claridge-Youth Worker
Tania Wright-Nurse
Kelly Rogers-Nurse
Youth Team
Jacob Wealleans
Kiana Shutkowski
Theo Wheatley