Young voices central to project aimed at well-being

What young people in Aotearoa most need to thrive is the focus of Our Voices, a project led by the University of Auckland, and on display as a digital interactive exhibition at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum from 4 December.

Two children standing on colourful circles on the floor in front of a screen with cartoon images on it.
The 'Our Voices' digital interactive exhibition will on view at the Auckland Museum from 4 December.

'Our Voices' is aimed at understanding the diverse experience of growing up in Aotearoa, to better decide what will make the most difference to youth well-being.

Led by researchers at the University of Auckland, the project wants to inform policies and services that will improve young people’s lives, with the added authenticity of having been co-designed by young people themselves.

The pop-up digital interactive at Auckland Museum will offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the Our Voices project, and connect with the hopes, concerns, interests and experiences of young people in Aotearoa.

The exhibition draws on insights and data collected through the project’s innovative app, co-designed by 25 young people from around the North Island, aged between 12 and 13, who are part of the Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) longitudinal study.

This group collaborated with researchers and tech experts to design the app ‘Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey’, which has now recorded data from 873 young people in the GUiNZ study (aged 13 to 14), from across the country and overseas, which researchers are analysing to find common themes and issues.

Head and shoulders portrait of Kane Meissel wearing a black t-shirt against a window background.
Associate Professor Kane Meissel:

Principal investigator Kane Meissel, an associate professor of educational psychology in the University’s Faculty of Education and Social Work, says that from the start, they knew they wanted to do things differently.

“We had to find a fun way of asking rangatahi what works for them, and who best to ask but the youth themselves?”

He says each ‘island’ within the app connects to a theme young people said was an important part of their lives, like school, friendships, family and hobbies, for example.

“Young people helped to design the questions we asked related to these themes, which could be answered using text, audio, images or video, and then submitted via the app.”

By generously contributing their thoughts and experiences, he says, those rangatahi are helping shape the future, both for themselves, and those who come after.

“For example,  team member Dr Valerie Sotardi, a researcher at the University of Canterbury,  has found that young people draw on six distinct sources of support to get them through tough times: social support, comfort and companionship from pets, distraction and escapism via media, self-reliance, spirituality and faith, and engagement in physical activities.”

Meissel says they often tap into more than one of these sources, perhaps at different times, to overcome different challenges.

“We hope this information can help policy makers, community organisations, schools and parents ensure that our rangatahi have access to these different support mechanisms to promote their well-being.”

Laptop screen image of an graphic island with various points of interest on it.
The ‘Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey’ app has now recorded data from 873 young people in the GUiNZ study (aged 13 to 14), from across the country and overseas.

And, in partnership with Auckland Museum, the Our Voices team has developed the free, interactive exhibition that focuses on three key themes from the gathered data: school experiences, support systems and societal issues.

It features a big screen and interactive spotlights where visitors can listen to young people’s thoughts and experiences.

Auckland Museum chief executive David Reeves says the museum’s collaboration with Our Voices reflects a commitment to creating opportunities for young people to engage with research and ideas that impact their lives.

“The Museum is a place where young people can discover, learn, and connect with ideas that matter to them. Our Voices amplifies their perspectives, celebrates their diverse identities, and shows how their insights can shape a better future.

“By engaging with the research in this creative and interactive exhibition, we hope that young people can see the power of their collective voice and the positive change it can inspire," says Reeves.

Someone holding a laptop screen featuring an older man, a question, bush in the background and  and a tui flying past.
Researchers are analysing data from the ‘Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey’ app to find common themes and issues.

Meissel says researchers are currently compiling the information the public will engage with in the exhibition, as well as further findings, into reports that will be shared with policy makers, community organisations and other key stakeholders.

“With the hope that we can make things better for young people in important, practical ways in years to come.”

The Our Voices exhibition launches on 4 December and runs until 16 February 2025 in Auckland Museum’s South Atrium Orientation Space.

Media contacts

Julianne Evans | Media adviser
Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland
M: 027 562 5868
E: julianne.evans@auckland.ac.nz

Samantha McKegg | Publicist
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum
M: 021 458 353
E: smckegg@aucklandmuseum.com