About YANZ 👋

We're Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ), Aotearoa's leading youth-led social enterprise generating equitable opportunities for rangatahi/young people to explore creativity, both as a career and as a means of self-expression. Our vision is for an Aotearoa where every young New Zealander knows the worth of their creative identity.

We're empowering youth to build creative futures through...

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Empowering creative identities

Empowering rangatahi to embrace their identities and tell their stories with dignity, so that rangatahi can confidently express themselves to their community and beyond.

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Championing sustainable careers

Championing sustainable, accessible and equitable entry points into creative careers.

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Valuing rangatahi leadership

Advocating for young creatives and diverse youth voice across Aotearoa.

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Building meaningful connections

Connecting young people with each other, and those who can guide them.

Our Team 🫶

Our talented youth-led team champion the mahi of YANZ, lending their creativity to impact the lives of the rangatahi they work with. Our normal working hours are Monday to Thursday (9am - 5pm).

Sherry Zhang 章雪莉

she/they

Te Kāhui Co-Manager

Chloe Bettina

she/her

YANZ Co-Lead (Projects and Delivery)

Ruby Macomber

she/her

Te Kāhui Co-Manager

Phodiso Dintwe

Te Kāhui Remote Booklet and Creative Strategy Lead

Harrison Sugrue

he/him

Co - Founder & YANZ Co-Lead (Finance and Systems)

Eric Soakai

They/Him

Te Kāhui Facilitation Lead

Board of Trustees ✨

Our Board of Trustees support the development and sustainability of YANZ, with backgrounds ranging from governance and strategy to community development and research.

Matthew Goldsworthy

he/him

Chair & Founder

Zak Devey

he/him

Deputy Chair & Co-Founder

Tania Jones

she/her

Trustee

So what's the plan?!

If you're interested in learning more about our strategy, check out our strategic plan. This outlines our strategy for the next 3 years, including our vision, mission, values, and key initiatives. Our strategic plan was created alongside conversations with many rangatahi in our community and informed by the last 3 years of YANZ's learnings.

Like any good plan though, we acknowledge that other opportunities and challenges will naturally arise, and are excited to meet these with the values and intentions that ground us.

Download our Strategic Plan ⬇️

Want to support our mahi?

Join us in making a difference for rangatahi across Aotearoa ✊

Get in touch ➜