About us
As the first of its kind in New Zealand, Youth Hub Christchurch aims to be the turning point in the lives of young people aged 10-25. Based in the heart of Christchurch, our goal is to create a communal space focused on growth and wellbeing, providing opportunities for all young people.
The Hub will replace competition with collaboration and focus on young people who have had a difficult start.
The plans for the Youth Hub closely align with transitioning young people from state care, fulfilling the goals of the Child and Youth Wellbeing strategy and improving mental health outcomes.
Services
The Hub brings together socially supportive organisations under one roof, delivering a holistic model of wrap-around services. Anchor tenants that are based on site include:
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Te Tahi Youth
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Youthline
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VOYCE Whakarongo Mai
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Rerenga Awa (Canterbury Youth Workers Collective)
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Christchurch Youth Council
Find out more about the planned services and facilities.
An investment in the future of our youth
We are committed to providing a youth-centric and accessible environment where young people feel accepted and supported. Our inclusive approach respects and celebrates ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender as young people develop into adulthood.
From both people and economic viewpoints, we believe Youth Hub Christchurch is an investment worth making. We hope you agree!
Find out the ways to donate or view the registry to donate items we need for the Hub.
The need
It’s been a tough few years for Christchurch’s young people with the earthquakes, mosque shootings and COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand’s largest survey of young people, Youth-19, found that one in five high school students could not see a health professional when needed and that depression and suicide ideation had increased.
The report recommended improvement priorities, including ‘one-stop-shops’ for rangatahi, where they can access healthcare and other services. It also found that services available are not currently fit for purpose for young people – particularly for rainbow, Māori, Pasifika, and male youth.
The most recent set of youth health statistics also show a deterioration in the mental health and wellbeing of our young people aged 15-24, including:
21%
reported high or very high levels of psychological distress
*NZ Health Survey 2022/23
Of secondary students did not meet the criteria for regular school attendance
*Ministry of Education, Term 1, 2024
45%
14%
of 20-24-year-olds were not employed or in some form of education or training.
*Stats NZ Household labour force survey, 2023
28%
16%
felt lonely at least some of the time.
*Stats NZ Wellbeing Stats 2021
reported unmet need for professional mental health support.
*Stats NZ Wellbeing Stats 2021
NCEA
One in five school leavers only achieve NCEA Level 1 or lower.
*Youth Employability Aotearoa
2nd
New Zealand has the second highest 15-19-year-old suicide rate in the OECD.
*UNICEF Report Card 2020
26%
rated themselves as having poor overall mental wellbeing.
*Stats NZ’s 2021 Wellbeing Stats
40%
of 18-34-year-olds say they have seriously considered suicide or self-harm in the past year.
*Ipsos Global Advisor Study 2022
The Youth Hub Trust
The Trust was formed in 2017 to design, build and run the Youth Hub. The Trust also has a Youth Advisory Board who are helping to develop the Hub.
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To enable all young people in Ōtautahi the opportunity to lead healthy, safe and valued lives, fulfilling their potential and vibrantly contributing to their community.
Mission
The Youth Hub creates a safe haven for young people needing support between 10 and 25 years of age. It is a collaboration of co-located services that gives opportunity for young people to grow in an environment of encouragement and positive social engagement. The village of wellbeing-focused services are supported to ensure best evidence-based practice, sharing a core commitment to Mana Taiohi principles of youth development and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In partnership with the Youth Hub Trust, relationships are fostered by manaakitaka, open communication, honesty and ethically sharing information in the best interests of the young people.
Whakataukī
E tū kahikatea
Hei whakapae ururoa
Awhi mai awhi atu
Tātou tātou e
Stand like the kahikatea
To brave the storms
Embrace and receive
We are one together
Values of the Trust include:
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Ensuring that the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are used as a founding document
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Encouraging young people to be partners in leadership
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Engaging young people with warmth, acceptance and respect
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Focussing on young peoples’ abilities, strengths and aspirations
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Believing positive growth is possible by emphasising transformational values personally, socially and environmentally
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Positive Youth Development: the role of each member of staff of each organisation is to support young people in their development according to their training and skills (reference PYDA)
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Manaakitanga will ensure that visitors and hosts are treated with kindness, generosity, support, and respect
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Whanaungatanga fosters and enhances the building of respectful, strengths-based relationships
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Kotahitanga translates to unity, togetherness, solidarity, and collective action
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Oritetanga: Equity for all young people
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Kaitiakitanga: Sustainability, recycling, eco-friendly
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Mana Motuhake: Being able to act with independence and autonomy - being ourselves in our places
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Ture Wairua: Being able to exercise spirituality and faith.
Our supporters
"The Hub will give our young people a place to belong and a place where they can meet others and feel safe. It will offer many opportunities for them to grow and develop real life skills or just be a place to hang out with new friends."
Jane Watson, NZ Netballer and Youth Hub Ambassador.
Project timeline
1995
Christchurch's first Youth One Stop Shop opens.
2010-11
Christchurch earthquakes.
2012
The Youth Hub on Barbadoes Street opens with 17 organisations sharing five wooden houses.
2013
The search for a permanent home for the Youth Hub begins.
2017
The Youth Hub Trust is formed and pre-design work begins.
2018
Anglican Care purchases 109 Salisbury Street in the central city for the Youth Hub.
March 2019
Christchurch mosque shootings.
2018-19
Youth Hub buildings and facilities designed in consultation with young people, neighbours and partnering organisations.
Feb 2020
Resource Consent application submitted to the Christchurch City Council.
March-June 2020
Covid-19 lockdowns.
July 2020
Youth Hub receives COVID-19 'shovel-ready' funding to build Stage One (supported housing wing and wraparound services block).
Nov 2020
Resource consent approved and then appealed.
June 2021
Resource consent agreement reached.
July 2021
Youth Hub receives additional government funding to help meet construction inflation costs.
Late 2022
Construction starts.
May 2023
Rātā Foundation gives $500,000 towards Stage One construction.
June 2023
Wayne Francis Charitable Trust gives $1 million towards Stage One construction.
Late 2024
The youth services building will open in November 2024, while the supported housing wing will open in early 2025.
2025
Construction of the Events Centre thanks to funding from the Christchurch City Council and the Rātā Foundation.
TBC
The remainder of the Hub will be constructed when funding is secured.