Youth survey results shape development of plan

Mayor Ray Wallace says results from this year’s Hutt City youth survey have shaped the development of the Children and Young Person’s Plan (CYPP) which is out now for public consultation.

“The youth survey was a joint initiative between council and the Ministry of Youth Development to look at how both organisations can communicate better with young people in Hutt City.

“Young people told us their preferred way of receiving information was by text message and face-to-face.

“We used these results when drafting the CYPP, a framework for how council carries out its youth development work in the community, and conducted extensive face-to-face engagement with stakeholders and young people.

“Young people are an important part of our city and it’s crucial we communicate with them in a way that’s effective,” he says.

Consultation on the CYPP closes Tuesday 31 July. For details visit www.huttcity.govt.nz

Survey overview:

More than 300 young people completed the youth survey which was available online and in hard copy. Seventy-two young people took part in associated focus groups.

The survey aimed to find out:

• Where young people get information on things to do and places to hang out
• Where young people get information on getting help and advice
• How young people prefer to receive information.

The majority of respondents were female (68.4%), were between the ages of 12 and 17, were NZ European or NZ Maori, and attended school or college. The survey received responses from across Hutt City, with the highest proportion of responses coming from Wainuiomata (26.16%).

Things to do and help/advice

The majority of young people who responded to the survey looked to friends when seeking information on both things to do, and help and advice. They were more likely to use facebook when seeking information on things to do, and more likely to turn to family members, school counsellors, and teachers when looking for information on help and advice.

Preferred ways of getting information

The most preferred ways of receiving information were by text message and face-to-face. Half of respondents indicated they wanted to receive information via facebook. Receiving information over the phone and via email were the next highest rated options.