As a Council, we have made a commitment to supporting tamariki and rangatahi – placing them ‘at the heart our city’. As a strategic priority this means ensuring our plans and our decisions help all our children to reach their potential. It also means providing a healthy and beautiful city in which to grow up.
On this page you will find:
It is the Council’s view that there are long-term benefits for Porirua City if we take a strengths-based approach to promoting the wellbeing of our children and young people.
We believe that if we are more inclusive in our thinking, we will make better and more enduring decisions together that will benefit everyone. As one young person aptly put it:
Our framework, strategy and action plan guides our work with tamariki and rangatahi. The framework has five focus areas that are important to young people and captures the work across Council which contributes to creating a thriving community where everyone can be safe and healthy – at home, work or play:
Download the Strategic framework for children and young people 2018-2021
Children and young people are actively involved in the care and protection of the harbour and the environment, and enjoy living in clean and attractive neighbourhoods.
Children and young people in Porirua grow up healthy, active, and safe. Public places promote health and well-being and strengthen connections for the well-being of young people.
For example, in 2018 Council introduced a Healthy Drinks Policy to help make it easier for children and young people to make healthy choices at our events and facilities. Changes in the Policy will be implemented over the next 12 months.
Children and young people are supported to achieve academic success at school, and to transition from formal education into a future they aspire to. They participate in the life our city, broadening their experiences and expanding their horizons.
Children and young people feel supported by strong connections with families, each other, and the wider community. They have places to go and things to do, and enjoy celebrating a variety of cultures in their everyday life.
Children and young people are active participants in decision making processes and local projects to help shape the look and feel of our city.
To find out what is important to them and to learn more about the role of the council in responding to the needs of our younger population, check out the
People aged under 25 years make up about thirty five per cent of our population. We want them to feel proud of the city they live in and have opportunities to participate in city life.
As part of this work, we need to know how well tamariki and rangatahi are doing. The Status Report collates wellbeing indicators across a range of areas, including health, education, engagement, recreation, satisfaction with living in Porirua, housing and safety. Each Status Report includes comparisons with national averages and provides ethnic breakdowns when available.
The report is produced annually.
We use it to review the way we support our younger population and make changes if required. It provides us with an advocacy platform for issues outside our control. We also encourage others to use this information in their work with our younger citizens.
Download the 2022 Status of children and young people in Porirua here
To review reports between 2017 to 2020 please click the link above.
We've created several funds for children and young people to apply for, so they can achieve their goals. Check out our funding page for more information.
We support young people in our city through grants and funding programmes. But it’s not just about money – we want to support our rangatahi and tamariki as they take on challenges and learn new skills.
Te Pahi – Porirua City’s Community School Bus is a free service that transports students from low decile schools to educational and sporting activities within Porirua and the wider Wellington region.
We have something for everyone here – art, events, great coffee and kai, beaches, walks and tramps, mountain bike trails, sailing, fishing, music, study, and shopping.
Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised to celebrate the talents and success of local young people.
Explore your career opportunities! The expo is open to students from Porirua and the wider Wellington region, and those who have already left school and want to be inspired to find a new career.
Rangatahi from local colleges are getting a taste of working at Council.
