At Te Tahi Youth you will be seen, heard and respected. Whoever you are now, whoever you become – you can be you. We want you to feel safe here so that you have someone you can trust. It’s our mission to help Ōtautahi rangatahi be the best version of themselves. So every day we come to work to be your allies, supporters and champions.
Behind Te Tahi Youth is the Te Tahi Youth Board. We are a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to help Ōtautahi rangatahi be the best version of themselves.
To achieve that, we adopt the values of C-A-R-E.
Compassion: Your wellbeing matters to us so we will go over and above to make sure you get the help you need.
Acceptance: Nobody judges anybody; Te Tahi Youth is an inclusive place where everyone is equal and welcome to be who they are.
Resilience: We stick with you through the good times and the hard times.
Encouragement: Don’t stress about being perfect, as long as you are making progress.
Find out more about our work and the difference we make in our latest annual report.
Our team is made up of doctors, nurses, counsellors, youth workers and social workers. They are highly trained and experienced at helping young people be healthy inside and out. We help you grow and back you 100% while you work towards your goals. And it’s all free.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Youth Health Nurse
GP
Sexual Health Doctor
Locum
Clinic Coordinator
Social Worker
Youth Worker
Healthcare Assistant to Clinical Team
In the early 1990s, Dr. Sue Bagshaw, while working at Family Planning NZ, identified a gap in youth access to sexual and reproductive health services. Many young people didn’t feel comfortable with their GP or didn’t have one, leaving them unsure where to turn for support. This challenge inspired the idea of a youth one-stop-shop.
Drawing on research from similar models overseas, Sue designed a youth service based on the needs of young people. After years of advocating for funding, her vision came to life in 1995 with the opening of 198 Youth Health. The goal was simple but powerful: to provide free and accessible health services for youth.
At its start, 198 Youth Health was based in the bottom of a historic building on Hereford Street. Since then, the service has undergone significant changes, including shifts in location, name, and focus. Despite these changes, our mission has remained constant: to provide free, accessible, and non-judgmental health services to the young people of Christchurch.
Our journey has been far from easy. We’ve faced funding challenges and even temporary closures. But each setback has only strengthened our resolve. In 2012, we became 298 Youth Health and moved to Barbadoes Street. Then, in 2019, we relocated to our current site on Bealey Avenue.
As we’ve grown and evolved, some roles have naturally shifted. Dr. Sue Bagshaw, now Dame Sue Bagshaw, is no longer an active part of the Te Tahi Youth team, but continues to support us as our Patron, offering guidance and encouragement in this honorary role.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue growing as Te Tahi Youth, always focused on meeting the needs of the rangatahi we serve.
