about us

The Phenomenal Young Women group was created as a response to feedback from locals that there was a need for more support for the young women of Tamaki. Our kaupapa was to create a safe space where young women in the community could connect with each other. We aimed to create a sense of belonging by enhancing accessibility to and identification with our shared public spaces, and the people who shared them with us. As a group we learnt, created and contributed to our local communities and enhanced our wellbeing as individuals and a collective.

“We want spaces where we can connect, feel confident to try new things, and most importantly have fun!“

Our funding for this project has now come to an end, if you are interested in what Phenomenal Young Women could do next then get in touch with Tara here. 

A SHORT REVIEW OF OUR HISTORY

2022

Covid-19 put many barriers in the way of our proposed activities for Phenomenal Young Women over 2021 – 2022. So we pivoted and created our Ngā Kakano series which we rolled out over 2022. Ngā Kākano was a series of personal growth sessions for young women, including elements of mentoring by pairing the young women (teina) with role models (tuakana) from our community. These role models acted in a mentoring capacity for three sessions and helped our young women to create a plan for their own personal project. Then finished off with a weekend retreat to Muriwai with a focus on celebration, pampering, reflection and forward thinking. With prominent tuakana wāhine guest speakers from Tāmaki.

2021

We were proud to have the PYW group operating in 3 locations this year: Tāmaki College, Panmure Community Hall and Riverside Community Hall! Our programme covered some essential life skills and practices such as cooking, fitness and budgeting. 

2020

For the first time PYW came to Riverside in term four 2020. Leaders Mara and Jas hosted a variety of arts and craft activities every week with Phenomenal Young Women from the Panama community at the Riverside Community Centre. 

We are very grateful to Auckland Foundation for their support through The Grassroots Giving Programme for the running of Phenomenal Young Women throughout 2020. 

2019

With the help of a grant from CAYAD (Community Action on Youth and Drugs), we set up two Phenomenal Young Women spaces in our community! The Glen Innes PYW group was led by Tamaki College student Latisha every Tuesday after school. Latisha is a powerful young women who runs these sessions with a focus on empowering the young women who attend. Phenomenal mentor Apiseka hosted the PYW group every Thursday evening at the Panmure Community Hall. She created a safe space where young women felt comfortable enough to be themselves. Scroll down to watch an inspiring short film about these mana wahine created by local legends No Six! 

2018

This year an incredible bunch of Phenomenal Young Women from Eastside dreamed up and hosted a one day event in July. Our event was the perfect way to test and get feedback about some of our ideas to support wellbeing for young women in our community. We asked what ideas would work well and have potential to become an ongoing community activity. Local PYW were given the opportunity to develop leadership skills by getting involved in the planning and delivery of this wonderful event which was all about celebrating the young women of Tamaki.