www.htwnyouth.co.nz builds local community online

A new website that was driven, designed and developed by local youth for local youth is now live at www.htwnyouth.co.nz.

The site aims to build a sense of community amongst young Hamiltonians aged 12-18 years by providing a virtual space in which they can connect with other young people, create their own social networking page (similar to Facebook or Bebo), upload photos and videos, start groups and share information about events taking place in the city. Since its launch on 4 October, www.htwnyouth.co.nz has already had dozens of members sign up, with non-members also able to access the site to browse the event calendar.

Hamilton City Council youth development team leader Michelle Howie said young people were pivotal in the concept and development of the new site.

"A Hamilton Youth Council member was contracted to design and construct the website, and the Youth Council was also a key part of the core project team," she said.

"Also part of the core project team were representatives from Hamilton City Council's community development unit, Waikato District Health Board, and local youth providers Whai Marama Youth Connex and Te Ahurei a Rangatahi. This group was then supported by wider project stakeholders including Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, NZ Police and Te Puni Kokiri."

To mark the launch of www.htwnyouth.co.nz a two-day roadshow was held during the recent school holidays, which visited Garden Place and the Transport Centre (on the corner of Anglesea and Bryce Streets) to promote the website to local youth. During the promotion, htwnyouth wristbands and wallet cards were distributed, and members of the public were invited to use wireless laptops to check out the site for themselves.

Ms Howie said the next steps will be to promote the calendar function of the website and inform local event organisers and youth providers about how the site can also benefit them.

"Soon the website will allow members to submit and share information about any events taking place in the city, so we really want it to become a central hub where young people can go to promote or find out about local happenings," said Ms Howie.

"Not only is htwnyouth a great site for young people, but it also has the potential to be a valuable tool for event organisers and youth providers who want to promote their activities to a wide audience at no cost. As well as the events calendar, the site has a blogging page that youth providers can sign up to for free which allows them to upload information about their services and hyperlink to their own websites."

For more information or to view the website, visit www.htwnyouth.co.nz