8 July, 2026

The kids are alright at long-running youth forum

Pizza and plans… Youth Forum members Charlie Sorell (left) and Leo McLean (both Year 12 TGS students) with the Rose Centre’s Abby Jones (left) and youth facilitator Sydelle Langis.

Supporting Matariki events at the Rose Centre and Devonport Library Associates activities have been a recent focus for the Devonport Youth Forum.
The group, which gathers fortnightly to discuss community projects over pizza, is also planning an upcoming movie night for local youth.
The forum has become something of a Devonport Peninsula institution since its inception more than 20 years ago as a dedicated group of teens volunteering in the community, bringing their own project ideas to life and supporting others’ events.
Originally under the umbrella of the Devonport community coordinator, the group is now based at the Rose Centre.
Abby Jones, the centre’s community engagement lead, has been facilitating the group for the past three years.

“The Rose Centre board recognised the importance of continuing the Youth Forum programme and have actively invested in it,” she says.
The group has seven members who are all Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) students.
As well as planning and leading projects of their own, such as their movie night at the Rose Centre, they are also a resource for helping with others’ community activities.
Along with their Matariki and Library Associates involvement, they took tickets and served refreshments at a recent Rose Centre collaboration with South Seas Film School.
They have also given a voice for youth at local government events.
Past projects include a mural activation at the Rose Centre, where the group were supported and mentored by artist Component.

Jones says it isn’t easy to get word out about the group to potential new members, but participating in a recent community initiative with TGS International Baccalaureate students changed that.
The event was like “speed dating” for community groups and students wanting to volunteer. The students sat at tables, then representatives from five local community organisations spent a few minutes at each table explaining their organisation and how volunteers could get involved.

A forum mural in a centre bathroom.