8 practical steps to turn rangatahi voice into practice
- Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Through the "Our Voices Matter: turning rights into reality" webinar, rangatahi spoke honestly on what needs to change. When they shared their stories, they offered a clear direction forward.
If you haven't already, please take the time to watch the full webinar below.
And for those working across the justice, social, health, and community sectors, the question now becomes:
What does this mean for everyday practice?
Below are their insights that can shape everyday mahi across these sectors.
Include Young People from the Start
"Decisions about where we live, where we live, with contact with our (parent), schooling or well-being after being made without asking us what we think or what we need. But we are the ones living with those decisions every day. " T., Youth Advisory Panellist
Rangatahi spoke about being excluded from decisions that shape their lives and the lasting impact that has.
In practice, this means:
involving rangatahi early in decision-making processes
asking for their perspectives
responding actively to what young people tell us
Move from doing things to rangatahi into doing things with them.
Prioritise Whānau and Whakapapa
Rangatahi are not individuals in isolation. They are part of whānau and whakapapa.
When incarceration occurs, the impact is not insulated.
It's felt across entire families.
"You wait so long just for a small amount of time to give (your parent) and before you know it's over again....It can make relationships feel distance even when people still care deeply." R., Youth Advisory Panellist
In practice, this means:
supporting whānau relationships
recognising the impact of incarceration on the whole whānau
designing responses that strengthen connection, not disrupt it
Communication Early and Openly
One of the clearest insights was how often rangatahi are left trying to make sense of situations on their own.
"When agencies don't share this sort of information. It's us (the rangatahi) who fall through the cracks. Support becomes inconsistent. Disconnected and it's harder to access. So instead of feeling supported, it can feel like we're navigating literally everything on own." - Tayshon, Youth Advisory Panellist
In practice, this looks like:
using language young people understand and clarifying
explaining processes openly
ensuring information is shared consistently across agencies
Provide Consistent, Long-term Support
Rangatahi spoke about the impact of losing support, and how difficult it is when systems feel disconnected.
"The trauma of having a whānau member imprisoned can greatly affect the mental health of the whole whānau...Sometimes what happens is so quick and instantaneous that many whānau don't really get to process what happened, or don't feel like they have the right to." - Charlotte, Youth Advisory Panellist
Support must be reliable, connected, and sustainable.
This includes:
access to mental health support
mentoring and positive relationships
community-based programmes
Take a Strengths-based Approach
Rangatahi are clear in what they need from systems around them:
"Judges, lawyers, and professionals need strong knowledge of youth development and the trauma-informed practice, so they can respond in ways that support rather than shame. Decisions should focus on strength, connection and meaningful support instead of punishment." - Courtney, Youth Advisory Panellist
In practice, this means:
recognising strength and identity
understanding the impact of trauma
creating environments that feel safe and empowering
Invest in Real Opportunities
A positive future requires proactive support and real investment.
"It matters because it helps our kids to see a better day, to grow on a secure and foundational space, allowing them to ask the big or smaller questions and acknowledge what they are able to become, with the help from you, from all of us." - Juliann, Youth Advisory Panellist
In practice, this looks like:
creating access to education and employment opportunities
providing mentorship and long-term relationships
supporting young people to choose their own huarahi (path)
Use the Bill of Rights as a Living Document
The Bill of Rights for Tamariki Impacted by Whānau Incarceration is a practical tool.
Apply it by:
embedding it into policy and service design
using it to guide decision-making
rooting it into organisational practice
Think Long-term and Intergenerationally
"A positive future" - the impact of this mahi extends far beyond the present moment.
"It means recognising that when you support one tamaiti, you are shaping the future of our whole whānau and generations to come." - Tayshon, Youth Advisory Panellist.
This calls for a shift in how success is defined.
This means:
planning beyond immediate outcomes
investing in sustained relationships and support
recognising intergenerational impact
Rangatahi have done the brave work of sharing their stories.
Now, the responsibility sits with all of us.
As these approaches are embedded into practice, capture the differences you start to notice. Share the positive outcomes! The more of us who’re telling these stories, the more people will action it!
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