A hands-on, three-level leadership journey for refugee youth across Aotearoa.
By Refugee Youth, For Refugee Youth.
Developed over ten years through consultation, youth-led prototyping, and continuous feedback. MRYP is designed specifically for the realities young people face when resettling in New Zealand.
Delivered in partnership with district and city councils, the programme is facilitated by trained youth leaders. We bring lived experience, cultural understanding, and strong local knowledge to the communities we serve.
The Meaningful Refugee Youth Participation (MRYP) programme started with a simple idea: no one understands resettlement better than the people who have lived it. We noticed that standard training often misses the cultural knowledge young people bring with them.
For a decade, we ran workshops and listened to young people from refugee backgrounds across Aotearoa. Instead of a generic course, we used their feedback and ideas to build a flexible programme run by refugee youth, for refugee youth.
Today, we work with local councils to run these sessions. By training leaders who share the lived experiences of their peers, we create safe environments where young people can build confidence, speak up about what they need, and lead positive change in their local areas.
The only refugee-led programme of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Designed, delivered, and facilitated internally by refugee youth.
A structured leadership pathway with clear progression and certification.
Strengthens social cohesion and supports local Welcoming Communities priorities.
Programme Structure
Real change happens when young people are given the space to lead. Hear directly from the graduates who are shaping the future of their communities.
“Being part of the programme has taught me how to speak up, work in a team, and take initiative. I have grown as a leader and now see the impact I can have in my community.”
Shukria, 16
Palmerston North • Level 1
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this programme. It taught me things I never imagined I would learn. I learned about people, giving, teamwork, and even about myself.”
Amani, 16
Timaru • Level 1
Please note, the MRYP programme is the result of ten years of collective creativity, consultation, and youth-led development. To protect this work, the programme structure, levels, and materials are copyrighted by the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council.
