Who is Zeal?

Zeal is a youth organisation committed to the transformation of young people’s lives in Aotearoa. We provide safe, inclusive spaces for all young people in our local communities. You can explore your strengths through our affordable programmes and workshops and make lifelong friendships at our showcases and events!

We believe that every young New Zealander deserves a space & community where they belong, and opportunities to transform their own life.

Support Zeal

By donating or giving your time, you can create a transformative experience for young people with just the click of a button.

Work at Zeal

If you’re on the hunt for a job that transforms lives, check out the opportunities at a Zeal centre near you.

Meet the team

Want to connect with our people? Get to know our board, or reach out to our managers.

Our Mission

To make transformative spaces and experiences accessible to all young people, supporting rangatahi to connect to their mana, innate self-worth and sense of belonging.

Our Vision

All young people in Aotearoa living full lives of meaning and purpose.

Our Impact

All rangatahi feel seen, valued, safe, empowered and have an equitable shot to thrive.

Zeal helped me grow from a young person to an adult. Helping me learn and grow as a person

Hannah, 20

Zeal makes me feel supported, loved, validated, comfortable and no matter what kind of feeling you are experiencing at that moment, there will always be someone to be there for you through it

Erika, 14

Zeal to me is definitely a second home, it's a place where everyone is welcome and where we can all get along and be ourselves in a really safe environment

Molly, 15

Zeal is a place where everyone can have some time away from their stressful life

Anonymous rangatahi

The best place to hangout for youth to get away from any drama or problems they may be dealing with

Anonymous rangatahi

They are all so kind and caring whilst still feeling relatable. They are easy to talk to and vibe with. Making it easy to feel included and welcome

Anonymous rangatahi

They always show that they are supportive and non-judgmental, and come to talk to us when we're at Zeal

Anonymous rangatahi

I have changed because when I am upset instead of feeling alone I know I have a supportive community behind me, unlike before when I just felt purely alone

Anonymous rangatahi

The atmosphere is so cool there are plenty of opportunities and things to do so you won’t be bored

Anonymous rangatahi

I have grown more confident in an array of different abilities, such as graphic design. Also, I have gained confidence in attempting and taking part in things I hadn't had the chance to do before

Anonymous rangatahi

I used to struggle with my ADHD and anger and trust issues but I no longer have this problem and I’m generally a happier person

Anonymous rangatahi

2020/21 a year in review

17,759

Drop-ins to Zeal hangs and informal activities

28,505

Visits to Zeal’s events

4,087

Street youth work engagements

248

Mentees

2,850

Connections to other places of support

4,689

Attendance at Zeal’s creative programmes

214

Attendance at youth co-design workshops

2,863

New young people to Zeal

Our values and vibe

Aroha

We are driven by a relentless love for rangatahi.

Whanaungatanga & Manaakitanga

We love through real connection and compassion.

Rangatiratanga

We celebrate and champion young people and each other.

Humarietanga

We bring our best to the mission. We stay open, adaptable and keep learning.

What we do

Transformative spaces & youth empowerment

Where you feel safe, valued, seen, and can be yourself. Support if there are barriers to living the best life you can.

Creative Programmes & Work Readiness

Engage your passion and connect with your innate worth and abilities. Pathways to grow and be ready for further education and jobs.

Digital engagement

Extending Zeal’s transformative
culture and ‘vibe’ to device and online. We also design stuff with and for the youth community, like our Online Crisis Intervention project.

How we work

Zeal is a registered member of Ara Taiohi and applies best practice by adopting the Code of Ethics for youth workers in Aotearoa and the Mana Taiohi principle based framework. Our work is underpinned by holistic, strengths-based youth development models, The Circle of Mana and Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Responsive to wants

We hold a young person’s mana above everything else, meeting them where they are, on their terms.

Responsive to needs

We walk alongside young people, responding to individual needs with opportunities to grow holistically.

Active contributors

All rangatahi have mana and unique gifts to share with their community. We find the right way to tautoko this.

Our publications

How We Are Funded

Here are our most-recent audited accounts. 2020 Zeal Audited Accounts (2.2 MB)

Read our Annual Report

Check out our latest Annual Report, as well as all of our previous years, at Issuu.

Thanks to our key partners

Auckland Council, Foundation North, Hamilton City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Lion Foundation, Lottery Grants Board, Mike & Jen Ballantyne, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Youth Development, New Plymouth District Council, North Taranaki Alternative Education Group, Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, Pacific Inc Limited – Le Va, Toi Foundation, Vodafone Foundation, WEL Energy Trust, Wellington City Council

Legal Stuff

Zeal is a not-for-profit youth organisation, governed by a board of trustees. You can find us on the NZ Charities Register under Zeal Education Trust (CC29343). Our audited accounts from 2009 onward are publicly available online here.

Partner with Zeal

Interested in how we can add value to each others’ mahi? Enquire below.