Our work is derived from the belief that collaborating with people and organisations whose focus is on enhancing the health and development of young people will provide the greatest benefit to both young people and their communities.

We aim to achieve this through:

• Research
• Training
• Youth participation
• Dissemination
• Links

Well trained, well informed professionals who work with young people to ensure their healthy development.

• Partnership with Maori and honouring the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
• Youth Participation at all levels of the organisation
• Cultural diversity
• Holistic view of healthy development which includes wellbeing in the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, family, school and community areas of life
• Co-ordination, not duplication, sharing and strengthening not competing

• Research in the area of youth health and development
• Training for those working with young people
• Advocacy with and for young people
• Disseminate information on youth health and development through workshops, seminars, visiting speakers and a regular newsletter
• Educate health professionals in the understanding of the issues presented by young people
• Become sustainable by actively seeking research grants and working collaboratively with educational institutions to provide funded courses for students in the areas of youth health and development
• Train young people to provide education for professionals on appropriate ways to respond to young people


• Provide a collaborative network for all people doing research about young people.
• Increase the effectiveness of youth health and development services and interventions
• Increase the awareness of youth health and development issues

The Trust is committed to working within the Treaty of Waitangi framework acknowledging the Tangata Whenua status of Maori and undertaking to work with Maori, at all stages of research, training and advocacy, on terms both Maori and the Trust identify as appropriate.