The Upper Clutha Wānaka Whānau Survey 2026 is about understanding what life is really like for rangatahi and their whānau in our community. 

This survey will help agency partners, caregivers, and locals better understand what’s going on for our youth, including learning, belonging, and where support networks are already working well. By taking a strengths-based approach, we primarily focus on what supports young people and their families to thrive here. We’ll still gather what’s needed to guide harm prevention and future wellbeing planning, to keep it aligned with the previous 2023 survey, so we can track change over time

For this survey to genuinely reflect the lives of whānau in Wānaka | Upper Clutha, it is essential that our community voice is heard. That is why we are creating a space where real, in-person conversations take place.

Why conversations matter

As we all turn to the written form in preference to verbal conversation, we seem to text more and talk less, we reduce the modelling and exposure benefits of rich conversations in our everyday lives. We’re losing our conversational skills, which means our children and everyone around us lose their skills too. The kind of rich, back-and-forth kōrero many of us grew up listening to around the table, which stimulated our speech and language development. Everyday conversations are how understanding grows, confidence builds, and stronger connections are formed across our parent and caregiver community.

On Monday 23 February, 9.00–11.30am, we’re hosting a strengths-based workshop at the Wānaka Community Hub (34 McDougall Street), facilitated by Ali McCormick. This will be an interactive hui, where discussion flows both ways and the voices in the room genuinely matter.

Thank you to our major funders: Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, QLDC, and Hāpai Hapori Community Matters (Lotteries NZ) for supporting this opportunity to gather authentic community voice in 2026.

Get involved or find out more - Register your interest here

Read the full 2023, ‘Our Youth Voice’ report here.