We provide wraparound support so you can overcome adversity and get to where you want to be. We aim to achieve this through our unique approach – Ihopumanawa. Ihopumanawa is a term given to someone who has grown in strength through perseverance and challenge to become a resilient and strong person. We hope to inspire all young people to live healthy and meaningful lives.

Our Youth Service offers support for rangatahi not in employment, education or training or young people who receive a Youth or Young Parent Payment. Our Youth Service provides the following services in Rotorua:

• Youth Payment
• Young Parent Payment
• NEET – Mentoring and Support

Youth Payment is a weekly payment that helps young people who cannot live with their parents or guardians and are not supported by them or anyone else. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

• Aged 16 or 17 years old
• No dependent tamariki
• You are in need of financial assistance

Young Parent Payment is a weekly payment that helps young people who have dependent children. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

• Aged 16 to 19 years old
• A parent with a dependent tamariki
• You are in need of financial assistance

There can be a lot of pressure choosing what career you want to pursue and sometimes life gives us challenges that make it hard to concentrate on our future because we are focusing on meeting our immediate needs. That is why our coaches are here to walk along side of you through this journey. Learning about your strengths and aspirations can actually be fun.

• Aged 15 to 17 years old (some 15 year olds may be eligible)
• Not receiving a main benefit from Work and Income

• NEET provides support for young people not in education, employment or training.  Anyone can refer to NEET if you think you meet or might meet the criteria.
• All Youth Payments and Young Parent Payment applications are processed through MSD and then given to us to contact you. However, you can still contact us anytime to talk about your needs, and we can point you in the right direction or assist you with your application.

We are based in the CBD so you are welcome to drop in anytime or we can come to you at your home, training establishment or a place you are comfortable in. You will be assigned a Youth Coach who will work with you one-on-one. There will also be opportunities to do some group based activities as the needs arise.

New applications must be completed using MyMSD by going to www.msd.govt.nz. However, sometimes it helps to talk to us first about the benefit you want to apply for and to check you have the information you need to apply.

Being prepared:

Check out the website for details about the supporting documentation you will require for your application. Having these documents will help to speed up the process.

What to provide when you apply for Youth Payment/ Young Parent Payment

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/our-services/what-to-bring/youth-clients.html#null

The application:

The online form should take around 30 minutes to complete. If you do not have a MyMSD, then you will need your client number, an email address and phone number that is not already registered. If you need help doing this you can contact MSD on 0800 559 009 and say “client number” when the system asks what you are calling about.

If you meet the criteria for the benefit you are applying for and all of the information is submitted correctly, your application will then be sent to us from MSD and we will give you a call. This process may take up to four weeks, which can be stressful, so keep in touch with us and we will support you through this process the best we can.