Ten Years of Youth Aspire
Aspire is a high-quality, evidence-based programme for young people, delivered by qualified and experienced Salvation Army youth development practitioners since 2015. A decade on, Aspire is now well-respected, well-funded and making a tangible difference in the lives of young people across Aotearoa New Zealand. Jules Badger reports on this significant milestone.
On Wednesday 19 November 2025, the Aspire Kiwi Youth Development team presented the latest Aspire Evaluation Report to The Salvation Army’s Chief Secretary Colonel Jennifer Groves, at Territorial Headquarters in Wellington.]
At an earlier event in Auckland, the report was officially launched alongside key funding partners, with The Warehouse Group receiving special recognition. The annual report highlights the contributions of everyone involved in Aspire—programme facilitators, funders, supporters, and the schools and young people who take part.
Home and history
‘Handing this document over to Jennifer is a symbolic acknowledgement of The Salvation Army’s backing and all the people who have put in many hours of work, prayer and support for Aspire over the past 10 years. The Salvation Army is the home of Aspire. It wouldn’t exist without it and couldn’t continue to exist without the many people within The Salvation Army who support it,’ explained James Adams, youth development programme coordinator.
Nolan Hill, children and youth development advisor, expressed his gratitude to The Salvation Army for enabling the birth of the initiative and honoured those instrumental in Aspire’s early development.
‘We celebrate the 10-year history of Aspire and are grateful to Salvation Army youth work pioneers Jono Bell and Michael Smith for the huge personal investment they put into getting Aspire off the ground. Their individual skills, talents and connections brought earlier school programmes and youth development initiatives together under one umbrella. Over the years, Aspire has adapted to address the challenges which rangatahi (young people) face. What they are learning in these groups are kingdom values and help to discover who they are and how God sees them.’
Programme partners
When Jennifer received the report, she made a point to acknowledge that what she held was far more than mere sheets of paper—it was a story, a vision, a testament to effort.
‘This document represents the partnership between the facilitators and the young people themselves. Overarching all of that is the partnership we have with God and His influence in making all of this happen.
This document is about transformation, growth, hope and light for our nation. It also represents a partnership with funders who back this work and with the schools who so willingly participate. We must never underestimate the difference this programme makes in the lives of young people.’
Authored by James and Nolan, the report explains that Aspire partners with intermediate and secondary schools across Aotearoa New Zealand. Building strong relationships with school principals and staff is essential, as Aspire must align with each school’s educational and social priorities while fitting within policies, procedures and values.
The programme runs throughout the school year and is facilitated by qualified youth workers. It is based on the ‘Circle of Mana’ framework, with weekly 90-minute sessions across four modules: belonging and identity, achievement and competence, influence and responsibility, and generosity. These sessions provide a supportive environment that nurtures the strengths, potential and leadership of rangatahi through a holistic, experiential approach.
Another key partner is The Salvation Army’s Blue Mountain Adventure Centre, where rangatahi participate in a three- to four-day adventure experience. The programme also includes two whānau engagement events, a community project and a graduation celebration. Young people and their whānau, where appropriate, have access to additional Salvation Army services, including welfare support, social work, housing assistance, counselling, youth groups and faith communities.
Report results
‘When we were preparing the report, it was encouraging to read feedback from rangatahi themselves,’ says Nolan. ‘We have rangatahi who struggled to engage in their families, who couldn’t function in the classroom and struggled to find a friend at school. But in the safe environment of their weekly Aspire group, they found tools that helped them grasp that they have a contribution to make.’
The report highlights that Aspire’s current focus encompasses new realities directly impacting rangatahi and their whānau, such as rising cost of living pressures, increasing social media influence and the heightened public visibility of youth-related issues. The report affirms that despite these challenges the past year has been one
of ‘pride and progress’.
The Aspire report states: ‘The year stands as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we invest in our young people and believe in their potential. As we mark 10 years of Aspire, we stand in gratitude and with anticipation, thankful for the journey so far, and excited about what lies ahead.’
