Youth Services

1st Apr 2020

Young people work with community-based providers (us!) who give guidance, support and encouragement to help them find the education, training or work-based learning that works. Youth Service offers guidance and practical support to young people. It is about stepping in early to help build potential through education, training or work-based learning, to gain the skills to find a job and have an independent future.

Some young people will work with a Youth Service provider as part of getting financial support from Work and Income. This includes young people who are receiving Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment or are a young partner receiving a main Work and Income benefit.

Youth Coach

Mani Columbus is the main Youth Coach for Kaikōura. Mani is passionate about young people, their potential and wellbeing. Mani is available on 027 644 6144 or email mani@kaikoura.link 

Youth Service is for:

• 16 and 17 year olds (and some 15 year olds) who are not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET), or young people who are at risk of moving into this category
• 16 to 19 year-old young parents
• 16 and 17 year olds who can’t live with their parents or guardians, or be supported by them or anyone else
• 16 or 17 years old, who have no dependent children and are the partner of a main Work and income beneficiary
• 16 to 19 years old, who have a dependent child or children and are the partner of a main Work and income beneficiary.

If you are a young person not in work, education or training, and not on a benefit:

Youth Service providers can offer you coaching and mentoring to help you into education, training or work-based learning. They can also offer you guidance and support towards an independent future.

If you are a young person needing financial support:

You may be eligible for the Youth Payment. Youth Payment is a payment to young people aged 16 or 17 who do not have dependent children, and are in need of financial assistance.

For example, if you are single, you may qualify for Youth Payment if you can’t live with your parents or guardian or get financial support from them or anyone.

Young Parent Payment is a weekly payment for 16 to 19 year old parents who have dependent children, and are in need of financial assistance.

For example, to qualify for Young Parent Payment you may be:

• 16 or 17 years old, living with your parents/ guardian, and they are eligible for Family Tax Credit, or
• 16 or 17 years old and can’t live with your parents/ guardian or get financial support from anyone, or 
• 18 to 19 years old with no partner.

As a condition of receiving these payments you need to be working with a Youth Service provider and meeting a number of obligations.

Further information about Youth Services can be found here