20 December 2024

Chairperson update

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless work in 2024 supporting the health of rangatahi. This can be challenging work, especially at the moment, but we are stronger together and I believe both the workforce and young people can thrive if we continue to support one another.

Meri Kirihimete to our members and supporters of youth health,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless work in 2024 supporting the health of rangatahi. This can be challenging work, especially at the moment, but we are stronger together and I believe both the workforce and young people can thrive if we continue to support one another.

Each year a highlight for me is that we involve young people in our mahi. SYHPANZ coordinates Māngai Whakatipu (a youth advisory group) as part of our mahi with Te Whatu Ora. Māngai Whakatipu continues to partner and actively participate in mahi relating to the School Based Health Services programme and more broadly in the youth health and education sector. We have received feedback that their contributions are invaluable and positively impact this mahi.

Another highlight for 2024 was coming together at our joint conference with the University of Otago for the George Abbott Symposium on Youth Health. It had been several years since we had last held a conference. It was a great opportunity for our members to get together and share experiences and expertise, pursue our learning and influence the future of youth health.

A huge thank you to our members for your ongoing support, it means a lot. We couldn’t do what we do without you. A special thank you to those who attended our AGM, I am pleased to announce that our new constitution which was approved at the AGM has allowed us to successfully reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. This means SYHPANZ is compliant with the updated legislation. You may notice a few small changes one being what we previously called the Executive committee is now referred to as the Board.

Finally, we recently asked our members how we can best serve you. A common theme in the responses was the membership want to see SYHPANZ advocating for the youth health sector and the health of rangatahi throughout Aotearoa. With this in mind and our SYHPANZ vision ‘all young people thriving in Aotearoa’ the SYHPANZ Board this week has voted to endorse the linked statement as part of a submission on the “Consultation on safety measures for the use of puberty blockers in young people with gender-related health needs” by the Ministry of Health.  SYHPANZ will be added to a list of individuals and organisations that support the statement as part of a submission from the youth health sector. Submissions close on this topic on Monday 20 January at 5pm. We encourage you also take the opportunity to make a submission on this topic.

I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday break and I look forward to catching up in 2025.

Meri Kirihimete

Jess Allen
SYHPANZ Chairperson
Jessica.Allen@huttvalleydhb.org.nz I www.syhpanz.co.nz