Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an international concept focused on how programmes, people, and supports are organised within communities to help young people develop to their full potential. With the Positive Youth Development in Aotearoa (PYDA), we sought to embed PYD within bicultural Aotearoa. This is because Te Ao Māori – the Māori worldview – is inextricably linked to all PYD practices here in our beautiful nation. As a result, any training you do with us on the PYDA provides a two-in-one experience, where you also gain practical cultural training on how to work well with Māori.
Embedded in the PYDA are the guiding principles of the foundational document of Aotearoa, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which is protected under both international and domestic law. The PYDA seeks to reflect the principles of Te Tiriti in practices that best support the healthy development of rangatahi (youth), whānau, hapū, iwi, and hapori (communities). Te Tiriti is essential for realising the vision of strong, inclusive, connected, resilient, and supportive communities, and the relational approach of this framework reflects those foundational principles.
Central to the PYDA framework is an understanding of key Te Ao Māori values, which are mirrored across organisations throughout the country. These values include:
- Mana
- Manaakitanga
- Whanaungatanga
- Whānau
- Whenua
- Whakapapa
- Whai Wāhitanga
These concepts are not only central to our framework but also frequently appear throughout the Ideas in Action (the models, frameworks, cultural narratives, and practice philosophies that guide PYDA) and are likely found in the strategic and policy documents of the organisations you work with. Because these concepts are so prevalent, it’s important to understand them on a deeper level and be able to articulate how they are applied in our work with and for young people. Our PYDA training, particularly the full-day training, helps participants see how they are already incorporating these key values into their work and provides space to reflect on how to do this more effectively.
Many of the people we train identify a deeper understanding of these concepts as one of their key takeaways. Some of the feedback we’ve received includes:
“I really enjoyed that we were measuring the way we work against Māori values. It showed how we all benefit from indigenous values.”
“I’ve heard the term [mana] but learning about it. Having a better understanding. It gives you self-awareness of how I am in this environment. And how to be around people in a respectful and approachable way.”
In short, the PYDA is firmly embedded in bicultural Aotearoa, and our training ensures that this is accessible and understood by practitioners. By leaning into the strength of mātauranga Māori, we can guide ourselves to do our best work.
