About us

Who we are.

Showing up everyday for rangatahi.

Te Tahi Youth is a not-for-profit organisation guided by a Board of Trustees who are passionate about youth wellbeing. Since 1995, we’ve been providing free, accessible support so young people can get the help they need, when they need it.

What we do.

We care about young people. We care about you.

At Te Tahi Youth, you will always be seen, heard, and respected. Whoever you are now, and whoever you’re becoming, this is a place where you can be yourself. Our mission is simple: to stand alongside rangatahi in Ōtautahi, helping you build confidence, wellbeing, and a future you feel good about.

Every day, our team shows up to be your allies, supporters, and champions. Whether it’s for your health, your goals, or just having someone on your side – we’re here for you.

Our values.

The way we work, the way we listen, and the way we stand alongside young people all comes back to our C-A-R-E values:

Compassion: Your wellbeing matters. We’ll go above and beyond to make sure you get the support you need.

Acceptance: Nobody judges anybody. Te Tahi Youth is inclusive, equal, and welcoming to all.

Resilience: We stick with you through the good times and the hard times.

Encouragement: We don’t expect perfection. Progress is what counts, and we’ll cheer you on every step of the way.

A snapshot of our year of impact, growth, and support for rangatahi.

Te Tahi Youth 2025 Performance Report.

Our 2025 Performance Report highlights the milestones, challenges, and achievements across all our services over the past year. From clinical care and youth development to employment support and fundraising, this report reflects the dedication of our team and the strength of the rangatahi we walk alongside.

Click here to download the full report.

Medical
support

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Mental Health
Support

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Mentoring
support

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Employment
support

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Youth Health
in schools

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Crisis or
after hours
support?

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Every door is the right door here.

No matter the reason that brings you to us, we can help.

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.

Our Team

Clinical

Jo Kirrane

Clinical Nurse Manager

Kate Struthers

Senior Youth Health Nurse

Madelin Hobson

GP

Aruni Seneviratne

Sexual Health Doctor

Savannah Da Silva

GP

Sam Powell

Health Care Assistant

Tenika Wikatene

Youth Health Nurse

Youth Health in Schools

Belinda Dennehy

Youth Health – Nurse Rolleston College

Laura Spearson

Youth Health Nurse – Rolleston College, Villa Maria College + TTY Clinic

Olivia Gillian

Youth Health Nurse – Pitau-Allenvale, Papanui High School, Kaiapoi High School, Hagley College + TTY Clinic

Letesha Ganda

Youth Health Nurse – Ellesmere College, Darfield High School, Lincoln High School & Rolleston College

Youth Work / Youth Coaching

Maggie Tarry

Kaihāpai Rangatahi

Jayden Wall

Kaihāpai Rangatahi

Transition Support (Oranga Tamariki)

Nathan Mitchell

Transition Kaimahi

Tiana Hansen

Transition Kaimahi

Therapy / Counselling

Hannah McPheat

Counsellor

Chiaki Bolam-Smith

Counsellor (maternity leave)

Employment Support

Elise van den Brandhof

Employment Navigator (maternity leave)

Jane Denton

Business Opportunities Broker

Holly Lyall

Employment Practice Adviser

Aslyn Brown

Employment Navigator

Emily McLean

Employment Navigator

Caitlin Harris

Employment Navigator

Wiremu Richards

Employment Navigator

Kat Matheson

Employment Navigator

Attendance

Matua BJ Rakena

Attendance Navigator

Jessica Hutt

Attendance Navigator

Administration / Fundraising

Sydelle Faulkner

Operations Administrator

Sarah Boyd

Fundraising Manager + Marketing and Comms

Senior Leadership

Fiona Kay

General Manager

Jo Kirrane

Clinical Nurse Manager

Gary Grooms

Social Services Manager

Liz Vincent

Finance and Operations Manager

Dr. Lyndsey Dance

Board Chair

Nick James

Philippa Jones

Garrick Jones

Ruth Kenny

Board Secretary

Sophie Judson

Kim Masina

Te Tahi Youth Story

Today, our journey is shared by many, but it started with one inspiring vision.

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 young people.

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 Ōtautahi.

Our journey has been far from easy. We’ve faced funding challenges and even temporary closures. But each setback has only strengthened our resolve. We became 298 Youth Health in 2012, then shifted to Bealey Avenue in 2019.

Today, we are proud to call ourselves Te Tahi Youth, and proud to now be based at The Loft in Eastgate Mall, working alongside other community organisations to provide wrap-around support for our rangatahi.

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.

Through every name change, every move, and every challenge, one thing has never changed: our commitment to providing free, inclusive, and youth-friendly support to the young people of Ōtautahi.