Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation, has today released its Taiohi Insights report, an annual report on the shifts in data relating to the experiences of rangatahi in Aotearoa. The report draws from 2021 data released in OHI Data Navigator earlier this year. OHI Data Navigator is a free interactive platform which draws on government and community data, with its primary data source from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) managed by Stats NZ.
The report covers how income inequality, economic policy, education, rangatahi safety and structural inequities all have a relationship to how exclusion and disadvantage manifests for rangatahi in Aotearoa. Building on the 2021 report, new data insights are provided taking a longitudinal view.
“This year’s report expands on our inaugural report released last year, with a focus on amplifying youth voices and taking a long view on the data,” says Ta’ase Vaoga, Rangatahi Insights Lead at Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation.
The updated data now shows a downward or stabilising trend in levels of exclusion and disadvantage of rangatahi across Aotearoa. However, the overall number of rangatahi who are experiencing exclusion and disadvantage is still concerning.
“When we’ve looked at the long view, we can see some improvements in some data. This is really positive for rangatahi, but we cannot forget that one in five rangatahi in Aotearoa are experiencing disadvantage and exclusion. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated,” says Vaoga.
Wellbeing, social connectedness, and aspirations for the future emerged as broad themes from rangatahi about what mattered most to them. From these three themes, each unveiled a range of kōrero and experiences which contribute in both helpful and not so helpful ways, to the realities experienced by rangatahi.
“Youth or rangatahi voice is so important. Data is great and can give us insights into the realities faced by rangatahi, but the data is strengthened by the understanding gained by talking to rangatahi. Most of the data we work with is derived from deficit-based data centred in interactions with systems which weren’t designed with rangatahi, especially Māori rangatahi, in mind. So we need to make sure that they have opportunities to be heard,” says Vaoga.
The report aims bring to the fore the lived experiences of rangatahi through both data and story, applying pressure across the sector, including government, to invest in ways which support rangatahi to thrive.
The report found one in three rangatahi living in areas with high levels of material deprivation are experiencing exclusion and disadvantage. Also, those living with high levels of material deprivation are more than twice as likely to experience exclusion and disadvantage compare with those who live in low deprivation areas.
The Taiohi Insights report shows that Māori continue to experience disproportionate rates of exclusion and disadvantage compared with non-Māori rangatahi. In 2021, 38% of rangatahi Māori experienced exclusion and disadvantage compared with 14% of Pākehā.
Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation has a vision of an Aotearoa New Zealand where all young people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. The Foundation’s goal is to halve the number of rangatahi experiencing exclusion and disadvantage in Aotearoa. OHI Data Navigator is one tool they are using to track those experiences over time.
For more information on OHI Data Navigator: Home - OHI Data Navigator
For more information on Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation: Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation
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For more information, please contact:
Ellen Sinclair
0226759665
