Pillars Gives Power to Rangatahi Voices with new Kaupapa

We are passionate about the lived experience, ideas, and expertise of our Pillars rangatahi.

Our 2022 cohort welcomes: Sharn Te Whiu, Nathan Ah Siu, Amethyst Edwards, Juliann Purea-Desai, Orla Angi, Jarhley Angi and Kingston Hancy.

We are passionate about the lived experience, ideas, and expertise of our Pillars rangatahi. The goal of the Youth Advisory Panel is to learn from our young people and improve Pillars service delivery. We will communicate their ideas far and wide, to create change for other young people with whānau in prison; and to ultimately contribute to the wider transformative justice conversation.

Growing up with parents or whānau in prison offers a unique lens on the world, in particular the justice system and surrounding supports. These incredible rangatahi are sharing their voices as representatives of their communities.

The first meeting focused on whanaungatanga, as our rangatahi got to know other young people who have a similar experience to them. This created a safe space to share lived experiences and the change they hope to see for future children of people in prison.

Watch this space as we continue to progress for change with our rangatahi.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi: With your basket and our basket, the people will thrive.

Special thanks go to Corrina, Sarah and Aroha for their hard work and dedication to this mahi.