Tēnā koutou,

Over the past year, the YANZ team has taken intentional time to reflect on our founding journey and shine a light on our path forward. Today, it is with much excitement that we launch our 2023-26 strategic plan! Key to the development of this strategy has been asking questions of, and listening intently to, young people across Aotearoa. We are so grateful to those that have lent their voices and perspectives to guide our organisation into the future.

Our strategy focuses on 4 strategic priorities:

• Empower creative identities 🫶🏻

• Champion sustainable careers 🎬

• Value rangatahi leadership💡

• Build meaningful connections 🥰 

Our strategic plan prioritises reflexive support for rangatahi across Aotearoa, enabling YANZ to grow intentionally in our efforts to meet young people where they are. It also places our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the centre of how we move forward, alongside our core values that guide the way we journey alongside rangatahi.

Check out our 2023-26 Strategic Plan here! Thank you so much to the incredible @Bede Bennett (www.bede.co.nz) for designing this document for us, and Gia Lee for the very cool illustrations! 💛

We are also very excited to share our latest Annual Impact Report for 2022-23, capturing our journey over the past year and diving into some of our most impactful programmes and activities. You can read and download this report here - thanks so much to @Abbey Barlow (AbbeyBarlowPortfolio) for designing this!

As always, please reach out if you are interested in collaboration opportunities, sharing learnings or anything else - I’m always keen for a coffee! ☕️

Thank you all so much for your continued support as we move into this exciting new phase - we are so lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive community. We have an exciting announcement coming out early next week, so look out for an update from us then.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend, and I look forward to connecting with you soon! 💫

Ngā manaakitanga,

Matthew Goldsworthy

CEO & Founder, Youth Arts New Zealand