Youth work across Aotearoa has long changed lives, but a landmark report has finally put a dollar figure to that transformation. Released in September 2026 by Hands for Impact in partnership with Ara Taiohi (the peak body for youth development), Te Pūrongo Whakaaweawe o te Mahi Taiohi reveals that youth work generates an extraordinary $12.69 of social value for every $1 invested.

Built by analysing 54 youth organisations, including contributions from Shore Junction, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) study highlights what communities have always known: trusted relationships transform futures. While the headline return is powerful, the report emphasises that true value lies in human outcomes. Guided by the bicultural principles of mana taiohi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the research captured 12 core outcomes for young people aged 12 to 24. These include:

• deepening belonging and connection by fostering powerful networks of positive relationships and safe spaces
• building resilience and safety by providing critical lifelines during periods of mental distress
• boosting emotional stability
• reducing suicide risk
• expanding pathways by equipping young people with everyday life skills
• employment readiness
• leadership opportunities to steer their own life paths.

Crucially, the report demonstrates that youth work acts as a vital preventative mechanism, reducing escalation into high-cost public services across justice, health, and welfare. Organisations like Shore Junction, which helped shape these insights through sector working groups, provide the physical and relational 'third spaces' where young people can safely discover their potential.

As Ara Taiohi CEO Jane Zintl notes, this report provides the sector with the evidence it needs to prove its immense worth in systems that have historically undervalued it. Ultimately, this report celebrates the past, validates the present, and acts as a powerful catalyst for a better-resourced future. Read the full report at arataiohi.org.nz/our-advocacy/youth-work-impact