YouthTown

What YouthTown does

Youthtown Incorporated is a registered charitable non-profit organisation (CC32227) founded in 1932 in Auckland, New Zealand, delivering youth development programmes across eight regions nationwide. The organisation serves children aged 5–13 (tamariki) and young people aged 11–24 (rangatahi) through a diversified portfolio that includes before/after school care, holiday programmes, Youth Hubs, outdoor education, sports delivery, the Youth Employability Programme (YEP), the Enterprise Programme, Her Move Activities Club, Ngā Puāwai, Tōku Pūrākau, Learner Licence, Bike Ready, and Disabilities Basketball Community. Programmes are grounded in a proprietary Youthtown Curriculum framework and Theory of Change methodology, co-designed with academic partners including the University of Auckland's Centre for Community Research and Evaluation using talanoa-based participatory research. Outcomes are measured across four domains — wellbeing, mentoring, entrepreneurial skills, and employment readiness — with externally validated Social Return on Investment ranging from $1.23 to $4.20 per dollar invested, calculated by ImpactLab using GoodMeasure methodology.

The organisation operates a hybrid delivery model combining direct school-based delivery, Youth Hubs in fixed regional locations, online self-serve booking, and venue hire across six locations. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on long-standing relationships with schools, the Ministry of Youth Development, Ministry of Social Development (WINZ OSCAR subsidy partnership), and corporate sponsors. The team of 150+ staff, of which approximately 40% are permanent, is led by CEO Fiona Allan (former CEO of Paralympics NZ for 14 years, ONZM recipient) and COO Dylan Perfect-Tait (18+ years tenure).

Revenue is generated through five streams: family programme fees (prepaid, with WINZ OSCAR subsidies reducing access barriers), government grants from the Ministry of Youth Development, corporate sponsorships (reported SROI of $1.71 per dollar for sponsors), individual and organisational donations, venue hire, and YEP Facilitators Training at $375 per person. The organisation is governed by a board chaired by Andrée Atkinson and holds MSD OSCAR Provider Accreditation, OutdoorsMark and QualWorx certifications for outdoor education, and Korowai Tupu youth worker accreditation through Ara Taiohi.

Name

YouthTown

Legal name

Youthtown Incorporated

Website

https://youthtown.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Youthtown is a registered New Zealand charitable non-profit, founded in 1932, delivering youth development programmes across 8 regions for children aged 5–13 and rangatahi aged 11–24, including before/after school care, youth hubs, employability, enterprise, and outdoor education grounded in an evidence-based proprietary curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Community Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Nonprofit Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

School-Age Wraparound Childcare Centers (Holiday/Break Care) (EDACAAAL), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Youth development programmes
• After-school care services
• Holiday programmes
• Youth employability training
• Outdoor education activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Programme Fees: Fees charged to families for before/after school care, holiday programmes, and youth development programmes. Prepaid service model with WINZ OSCAR subsidies available to eligible families.
2. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partnerships providing financial support in exchange for brand alignment and community impact. Reported Social Return on Investment of $1.71 per dollar invested for sponsors.
3. Venue Hire: Spaces available for hire including Marlborough Park Hall, Tū Tira, Panmure, Taupō, Upper Hutt, and Christchurch venues to community and corporate groups.
4. Government Funding and Grants: Funding from Ministry of Youth Development for Youth Employability Programme and Enterprise Programme. MYD Ākonga Youth Development Community Fund for Tōku Pūrākau.
5. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organisations supporting youth development programmes. Youthtown is a registered charitable organisation CC32227.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Youthtown delivers youth development programmes across New Zealand including before/after school care and holiday programmes for children aged 5-13, Youth Hubs for ages 11-18, outdoor education, sports delivery, the Youth Employability Programme (YEP), enterprise and entrepreneur programmes, learner licence and bike safety programmes, and wellbeing programmes such as Ngā Puāwai and Her Move Activities Club. Programmes are delivered across eight regions via schools, community venues, and dedicated Youthtown facilities, with evidence-based curriculum and impact measured via ImpactLab SROI.

Product overview

Youthtown is a national not-for-profit youth development organisation established in 1932, offering a portfolio of programmes across eight regions in New Zealand (Auckland, Waikato, Taupō, Upper Hutt, Christchurch, West Coast, Oamaru, Queenstown). The core offerings include Holiday & Before and After School Programmes for ages 5-13, Youth Hubs for ages 11-18, Outdoor Education, and Sports Delivery. Supporting employment and enterprise outcomes, the portfolio includes the Youth Employability Programme (YEP) with Facilitators Training, the Enterprise Programme (with Enterprise Foundations and Building Entrepreneurial Capital levels), Learner Licence Programme, Bike Ready, and Disabilities Basketball Community. Wellbeing and mentoring programmes include Her Move Activities Club, Ngā Puāwai, and Tōku Pūrākau. Additional services include Venue Hire, Sponsorship & Partnership opportunities, Donations, and WINZ OSCAR Subsidy support. All programmes are delivered through regional teams guided by the Youthtown Curriculum, with outcomes focused on wellbeing, mentoring, entrepreneurial skills, and employment readiness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Employability Programme (YEP): A programme delivering young people with skills and confidence to get work and thrive in long-term employment
• Youth Enterprise Programme
• Tōku Pūrākau
• Ngā Puāwai
• Her Move Activities Club
• Learner Licence Programme
• Bike Ready
• Disabilities Basketball Community (DBC)

Products and services

• Holiday and Before and After School Programmes Before school care, after school care, and holiday programmes for children aged 5-13 across New Zealand, featuring sports, arts and crafts, and day trips.
• Youth Hubs After-school hubs and holiday programmes for young people aged 11-18, offering skill-building activities and adventure experiences in safe community spaces.
• Outdoor Education Adventure, growth and connection-focused outdoor education programmes delivered through schools with EOTC options, including school camps and outdoor activities.
• Sports Delivery Sports activations, fitness and sporting code delivery in schools, covering ABCs, fitness games, athletics, cooperative games, invasion games, net/striking, team sports, and cultural games for school years 0-13.
• Youth Employability Programme (YEP) Programme for 14-24 year-olds providing seven key employability skills through 18-20 hours of workshops, 10-20 hours of community service, and 80 hours of work experience.
• YEP Facilitators Training Two-day training programme priced at $375 (ex. GST) per person for organisations and practitioners to become YEP facilitators.
• Her Move Activities Club Physical activity programme for young females in a non-competitive environment, empowering engagement with community active recreation offerings.
• Ngā Puāwai 8-week Te Ao Māori-aligned programme for school years 7-10 supporting kōtiro (young women) with wellbeing, connection and resilience through flexible activity sequencing.
• Tōku Pūrākau (My Story) Comprehensive programme for students aged 12-19 fostering confidence, engagement in learning and goal setting through personal growth, academic excellence and career exploration.
• Learner Licence Programme Driver's education programme delivered as a 5-week course or 3-4 week Express workshop to help young people pass their NZ Learner Licence test.
• Bike Ready 4.5-hour cycling education course delivered within schools for year 5-8 students, teaching bike riding, safety checks, and basic road safety to achieve Grade 1 Bike Ready.
• Enterprise Programme Two-level youth enterprise programme (Enterprise Foundations and Building Entrepreneurial Capital) developing enterprise, financial, and digital skills through hands-on learning and mentoring.
• Disabilities Basketball Community (DBC) Basketball programme for young people aged 11-24 with physical or intellectual impairments, providing a safe, inclusive sporting environment.
• Venue Hire Hire of community spaces and Youthtown venues across New Zealand including Marlborough Park Hall (Auckland), Tū Tira (Auckland), Panmure (Auckland), Taupō, Upper Hutt, and Christchurch.
• Donate (Donation Platform) Secure online donation platform enabling individuals and organisations to financially support Youthtown's charitable programmes and youth work.
• Sponsorship and Partnership Corporate sponsorship and partnership opportunities for businesses to support Youthtown programmes with customised packages aligned to partner values and outcomes.
• WINZ OSCAR Subsidy Support Assistance for families applying for the Work and Income New Zealand Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) subsidy to cover before/after school care and holiday programme fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• $4.20 Social Return on Investment for Youth Employability Programme (YEP)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Auckland - Centre for Community Research and EvaluationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for co-designing and evaluating youth programmes. The CCRE led participatory design research with rangatahi from South Auckland secondary schools using talanoa-based consultation to develop the Enterprise Programme. Ongoing research partnership measuring programme outcomes and social impact.
• Ministry of Youth DevelopmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment funding partner for Youth Employability Programme and Enterprise Programme delivery nationwide. Provides strategic direction and funding for youth development initiatives.
• ImpactLabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial impact measurement partner using GoodMeasure methodology to calculate Social Return on Investment (SROI) for Youthtown programmes. Validates programme effectiveness through quantified social value calculations.
• Play It StrangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported five young songwriters through recording scholarship - finalists from Play It Strange National Year 9-11 School Songwriting Competition 2025 had songs recorded and mastered in professional studio.
• Young Jazz Band-ITminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to support young musicians and school jazz programmes through the Young Jazz Band-IT Competition.
• North Harbour RugbyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partnership to support young people through Rugby Skills programme combining sports delivery with youth development outcomes.
• YouthlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMutual support partnership to align youth development efforts and referral pathways for young people needing additional support services.
• Z Manu World ChampsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partnership providing staff support at Z Manu World Champs enabling Youthtown team members to gain event skills and experience while supporting event delivery.
• New Zealand Football FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootball Connect programme partnership helping young people in lower socio-economic areas access football and develop life skills alongside basic football skills under guidance of football clubs and coaches. SROI of $2.80 measured.
• The King's Trust Aotearoa New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEC (Building Entrepreneurial Capital) programme delivered using Te Kete Aronui resources developed by The King's Trust Aotearoa New Zealand. Aligns with principles of Equity, Economy, and Efficacy.
• Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOSCAR Subsidy partnership enabling eligible families to receive subsidies covering before/after school care (up to 20 hours/week) and holiday programmes (up to 50 hours/week).
• Ara TaiohicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body partnership connecting Youthtown work to Ara Taiohi's 'Mana Taiohi' framework and Positive Youth Development Aotearoa (PYDA) evidence-backed approaches.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Graeme Dingle Foundation: National NZ non-profit delivering youth mentoring, wellbeing, and career-readiness programmes across schools. Directly comparable to YouthTown in target audience (rangatahi), mission, evidence-based programme design, school partnership model, and government funding dependency.
• Barnardos New Zealand: Long-established NZ NFP delivering child and youth social services, mentoring, and family support. Comparable in scale, government contract dependency, and youth-focused mission, with overlapping but more social-welfare-oriented programmes.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters New Zealand: NZ youth mentoring NFP with nationwide footprint focused on at-risk rangatahi. Comparable target demographic, evidence-based outcomes, and government/philanthropic funding model, though narrower programme scope.
• YMCA New Zealand: National community NFP operating before/after-school care, holiday programmes, youth development, and recreation across NZ. Highly comparable service portfolio, regional hub model, and OSCAR accreditation approach to YouthTown.
• Life Education Trust: NZ charitable trust delivering health and wellbeing education programmes to school children via mobile classrooms. Comparable school-delivery model, regional coverage, charity governance, and donor/sponsorship revenue mix.

Broad incumbents

• Sport New Zealand: Crown entity funding sport and recreation nationally. Overlaps with YouthTown's Sports Delivery and outdoor education portfolio and is a likely funder/partner rather than direct competitor.
• Recreation Aotearoa: National industry body for the recreation sector in NZ. Comparable in workforce training, recreation facility focus, and policy advocacy, but operates as an industry association rather than direct youth programme deliverer.
• New Zealand Red Cross: Large humanitarian NFP with youth education, refugee support, and community programmes. Comparable in nationwide scale, government partnerships, and charity governance, but with a much broader mission.
• Aktive - Sport and Recreation Auckland: Regional sport and recreation organisation for Auckland. Shares outcome domains (youth physical activity, sport delivery) and has overlapping board representation with YouthTown, but operates as a regional funding/enabler rather than direct programme deliverer.

Regional players

• Bellyful New Zealand: Smaller NZ NFP providing community and family support services. Comparable volunteer-driven delivery model and charitable funding structure, though narrower geographic and programme scope than YouthTown.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youthtown
• Facebookfacebook.com/Youthtown
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthtownnz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Youthtown

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YouthTown