WAYFYNDERS is a youth development system created by rangatahi who saw that the existing system wasn’t working for everyone.
Too many young people felt unseen, culturally disconnected, and stuck in pathways that didn’t reflect who they are or where they want to go.
So instead of waiting for change — they built it.
In 2022, a Community Co-design process identified the need for stronger, more meaningful youth interventions in Maungakiekie–Tāmaki.
The Foundational Youth Exec responded by going beyond consultation. They didn’t just want to give feedback.
They wanted to lead.
That vision became WAYFYNDERS — a Youth Consulting Agency designed for youth (the “FY” in the name reflects that core purpose).
What began as an idea is now a connected development system supporting rangatahi to rise and thrive.
The traditional system doesn’t serve all young people equally.
Many rangatahi experience:
Cultural disconnect
Limited access to relevant, hands-on learning
Few visible pathways into meaningful work
Decision-making structures that exclude youth voice
The result? Talent left untapped.
WAYFYNDERS exists to change that trajectory.
WAYFYNDERS is not a single programme.
It’s a connected journey.
Each pillar plays a distinct role — but they work together as one pathway.
Young people shape ideas, influence decisions, and deliver real projects in their communities. Youth voice becomes youth leadership.
Through PAYRISE, young people access paid work, industry placements, and enterprise opportunities with real support behind them.
Project-based education builds practical skills, confidence, and recognised credentials — preparing rangatahi for meaningful futures.
Partners, employers, whānau, and community organisations form the ecosystem that surrounds and strengthens every step of the journey.
Youth-led, not adult-designed
We don’t ask young people to sit at the sidelines. They lead, design, and drive outcomes.
Culture is foundational, not optional
Grounded in Pacific, Māori, and Indigenous values, identity and belonging are central — not an afterthought.
We create opportunity — we don’t just prepare for it
Through initiatives like PAYRISE, youth-led enterprise activity, and local workforce partnerships, we generate real projects and paid opportunities.
Community-first, future-focused
Born in Tāmaki, built for broader impact. Our model is local in leadership and scalable in vision.
