More than 1,200 rangatahi across Southland were directly supported in 2025 through the Invercargill Initiative, a community-led collaboration led by the charitable arm of One NZ, Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation.
The newly released Invercargill Initiative Network 2025 Year in Review highlights the collective impact of seven frontline youth organisations working together with Te Rourou across Invercargill and Bluff to support young people to build confidence, skills and pathways into the future.
Over the past year, the network delivered more than 150 events and activations for rangatahi, supported over 250 young people to gain their driver licences, and worked alongside more than 40 community organisations across the region. Programmes focused on practical, hands-on support — from wellbeing and leadership initiatives to digital skills, licensing and work-readiness — helping young people reconnect with education, training and employment.
A key theme from the report is the growth of youth leadership. Rangatahi are increasingly stepping into peer-led roles, co-designing programmes, and shaping the spaces and services around them. Many participants reported stronger confidence, a greater sense of belonging, and belief in their own potential.
Partnering with community to create lasting change
The Invercargill Initiative Network is led by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation, in partnership with Awarua Whānau Services, Murihiku Young Parents Learning Centre, Number 10 Southland Youth One Stop Shop, South Alive, Southern REAP, Youthline Southland and Your Corps.
Te Rourou supports a relationship-based approach that prioritises collaboration over isolated programmes. By bringing organisations together regularly to share insights, learn from one another and respond to emerging needs, the Invercargill Initiative strengthens outcomes for young people across the region.
The report also highlights progress in digital inclusion, with rangatahi gaining hands-on technical skills, earning NCEA credits through tech-based learning, and accessing new digital resources. Partnerships with schools, employers and community groups have expanded access to mentoring, career development and training pathways.
While the impact is significant, the report acknowledges ongoing challenges across the youth sector, including rising demand, workforce pressure, transport barriers and limited access to specialist services. Community partners say sustained investment and trust in local organisations will be critical to continuing this progress.
The full report is available for download here.
About the Invercargill Initiative
The Invercargill Initiative is guided by Thriving in Murihiku, a five-year place-based strategy shaping the mahi of Te Rourou in the region. In 2021, Te Rourou launched a new approach grounded in participatory philanthropy, focused on improving outcomes for rangatahi experiencing exclusion and disadvantage. This work led to the establishment of the Invercargill Initiative, with the Thriving in Murihiku report released in 2022 to set the direction for long-term, community-led impact.
As part of this commitment, Te Rourou pledged to invest at least $500,000 annually into Invercargill community initiatives through to 2027 — a commitment that has been exceeded every year and will continue to uphold as we work alongside local partners to support rangatahi to thrive.
As the Invercargill Initiative comes to a close, Te Rourou we will be applying learnings from the initiative and applying them at a national scale supporting rangatahi in leadership.
For more information about Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation, please visit: https://one.nz/why-choose-us/te-rourou/
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