Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services hits the streets

On 8th April 2014 some of Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services (NISS) staff are walking off the job, out of the office, and into the community.. . . well down the street outside Kaikohe New World to be exact!

Between 2:30pm and 5pm, NISS staff, along with local U-tube sensation - Miss Kihi and her camera, are downing pens to get outside to talk to the community about services they have on offer, to enjoy local music, and the last vestiges of summer sun! The event is all about getting out into the community and giving them the chance to see and meet the awesome NISS The out-reach also reflects the massive commitment NISS has made to supporting the various kaupapa of the Kaikohe Youth Action Plan.

NISS are a part of Te Pae Aronga Taitamariki collective which holds the contract to put the ‘action’ into the Action Plan.

The Action Plan contains 47 specific actions targeted at reducing truancy, youth offending and harm to youth from drugs and alcohol, and increasing youth participation in education, training and employment. But the Action Plan is also about the social service community taking responsibility for leading the community in various ways, and participating in public community events.

For NISS talking to locals in local places is a key strategy to ensure that locals know about services provided by locals, locally!

Kaikohe Youth Action Plan Project Manager Brennan Rigby says that he was amazed at the awesome people he has met all around Kaikohe who were working in offices, away from the public eye. In the NISS office there are musicians, entertainers, sports-people, and amazing professionals, working away at their day jobs.

NISS General Manager Liz Marsden is championing the cause with a view to engaging directly with whanau.. . . . “whanau are at the heart of what we do”.

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