Who is Zeal?

We believe every young New Zealander deserves to belong, to be accepted on their terms, and to have a real shot to thrive. Zeal is an Aotearoa youth organisation providing safe, inclusive local and online spaces – where you can explore and flex your strengths through affordable programmes and workshops, and make lifelong friendships at creative showcases and events.

Support Zeal

Transform young lives by donating or giving your time.

Work at Zeal

For a career in changing young lives, check out opportunities at your local Zeal.

Meet the team

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

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.

Vision

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

Impact

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

Let’s work together

By partnering with Zeal, here’s what you make happen.

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

Rik, 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

Empowering rangatahi

Transformative spaces and inclusive communities where young people can be themselves, feel safe, valued and seen. We walk alongside rangatahi experiencing challenges – to help them live with mana, self-worth and a sense of belonging.

Building skills

Pathways to further education and employment that ignite young people’s passions and connect them to their innate abilities. Where they can learn skills and find new challenges and opportunities to define their own success.

Engaging online

To meet rangatahi wherever we’re needed, we expand Zeal’s
culture and experiences to digital spaces – creating moments of connection with online hangs, Zeal lives, support chats and helping young people innovate online distress interventions for their own community.

Thanks to our key partners

Zeal relies on the generous support of key partners who we’re proud to call whānau. Lives have literally been saved, so we cannot say enough how grateful we are for your partnership.

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

Partner with Zeal

Think our missions are aligned? Let’s make a greater impact together.

Impact across 5 regions and online

The aroha of our key partners has enabled Zeal to extend manaakitanga and whanaungatanga to young people through over 65,000 points of connection in FY21.

17,759

Drop-ins to hangs, gatherings and online activities

28,505

At Zeal’s events locally and online

4,087

Street youth work engagements

2,314

Connections to other sources of support

4,689

Rangatahi got creative at our programmes

214

Attendance at youth co-design workshops

3,319

New young people at Zeal

90,151

Social media engagements

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.

Upholding mana

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

Recognising value

We recognise everyone has unique gifts, and the need for personal connection, walking alongside rangatahi, so they can develop holistically.

Empowering self-determination

We seek ways to empower each young person to share their unique gifts with their community and encourage them to model generosity.

Publications

Previous annual reports can be found at Issuu.

2021 Zeal Audited Accounts (2.2 MB)

2021 Annual Report

2022 Zeal Survey report

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.

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.

Partner with us

If you believe that every young Kiwi deserves to belong, be accepted on their terms, and have a real shot to thrive, you can help create change for thousands of young people.

Enquire if you’d like to invest in the future of young people by donating or gifting resources or your time. Together we can change the playing field for young people across the motu.