Last week Te Kāhui Korowai Rangatahi – Youth Health Aotearoa bought together over 200 nurses, GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists and psychologists ā-tinana in Kirikiriroa Hamilton for the 2026 Youth Health Conference, it was an incredible two days. Through funding from the Clare Foundation, 20 young youth health practitioners were able to attend. For many, this was a rare opportunity to access professional development, connect with the wider youth health sector, and be part of a national kōrero about the wellbeing of rangatahi.
What made this conference truly special was that young people weren’t just the subject of the conversations, they were leading them. Rangatahi presented alongside clinicians, shared their experiences, and shaped the kōrero throughout both days.
One of the scholarship recipients, a nurse educator, shared this after the conference: “One of the real highlights for me was hearing the rangatahi voice woven throughout the conference. Their perspectives and experiences were incredibly powerful and a valuable reminder of why we do the work we do. I have come away feeling inspired, with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm for my own work supporting school nurses and rangatahi.”