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Due to over half of our finalists being unable to attend the House of Hoopz Final this Sunday due to regional sports tournaments, we have made the decision to postpone the event.

With a big prize on the line, we believe it is only fair to have all finalist teams on the court and competing for the title.

The new proposed date for the House of Hoopz Final is Sunday 12th April.

We appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to seeing everyone there.

Any questions please email: tommyt@ycd.co.nz

Thank you.

Kaupapa – Mission
Our mission is to walk alongside Rangatahi as they navigate through a journey of self-discovery, empowering them to realise their strengths and reach their full potential

Moemoea – Vision
To support young people to achieve a sense of wholeness

Kaupapa statement
YCD is a Kaupapa Māori provider upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We honour rangatahi, create inclusive and equitable spaces for all, and work hard to be the provider of choice. Through our values Inclusive, Positive, Aroha, Empower, and Accountability, we bring this vision to life.
Our purpose
YCD walks alongside Young People to enable them to live whole lives.
We do this by being.
• Whai Kawenga – Accountable – We step up to our vision and mission.
• Whakamana – Empowering – We encourage, challenge and advocate.
• Pai – Positive – We focus on strengths, hope and opportunities.
• Whakaurutanga – Inclusive – We cultivate a strong sense of belonging.
• Aroha – Love – We listen with compassion and love.
Operate with openess, transparency, and accountability.

MARCH 2026 – We want to give a massive shout out to Natalia Sukhikh, our incredible Financial Administrator here at YCD.

Natalia has been part of the YCD whānau for 20 years, quietly holding things down behind the scenes and making sure everything runs smoothly. From managing financial administration to keeping the day to day admin operations ticking along, her dedication, consistency, and care for this kaupapa has been huge.

Originally from the Donbas region, Natalia has brought her skills, heart, and commitment to our community here in Ōtautahi. Her reliability and quiet strength have helped shape YCD into what it is today, allowing our team to keep doing what we do best, supporting rangatahi across our community.

20 years of service is no small feat. Natalia continues to go above and beyond, and we are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the YCD whānau.

Thank you Natalia for everything you do for YCD, especially paying our team and caring for the young people we serve. We appreciate you more than you know.

Clubkingz Te Au Oro DJ Academy Launches in Partnership with Arts Integrated

This week marked the official launch of the Clubkingz Te Au Oro DJ Academy, delivered alongside Arts Integrated and based at The Youth Hub.

Te Au Oro — The Sound Wave is a full school year DJ programme designed specifically for neurodiverse rangatahi and young people living with disabilities.

The kaupapa behind the programme is simple but powerful: to create a learning environment where rangatahi can explore music, creativity, and performance in a way that works for them.

The programme is built around flexibility, cultural grounding, and individual learning styles, allowing each student to learn at their own pace while building confidence, technical skills, and creative expression through DJing.

For many rangatahi, traditional learning environments don’t always allow their strengths to shine. Te Au Oro aims to change that by creating a supportive space where music becomes a pathway for connection, growth, and self expression.

The year long programme will guide students through the foundations of DJing, music selection, mixing, and performance with the goal of developing both creative confidence and real world skills.

A huge thank you goes to Adam and the team at Arts Integrated for their support in helping bring this initiative to life, and to Richard and The Youth Hub for providing a home for the programme throughout the year.

We’re excited to watch this sound wave grow and see where the music takes these rangatahi.

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATES (FEBRUARY)

Community Service Update lead by Daniel Mataki Jr and Heseti Kopelani.
The year has kicked off with a clear focus, helping rangatahi leave old habits behind and step into 2026 with purpose and connection.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen some solid wins:
Rangatahi getting involved with House of Hoops, stepping up with setup, pack down, and supporting behind the scenes. One standout has been a young man showing real interest in DJing, a potential pathway opening up right in front of him.
We have had rangatahi volunteering in painting over graffitti on YCD wall, painting seats for the public at placement and directing traffic/carparking at the Crankworx event at Adventure park.
More than anything, it’s been about exposure and creating space for young people to try new things, build confidence, and connect with the YCD vibe. Health, fitness, culture, and community all coming together in safe, supportive environments. The small moments matter, showing up, having kōrero, and staying consistent.
Looking ahead, we’re focused on strengthening community connections and building more pathways that actually mean something, real opportunities, not just talk.