Taranaki

At RY Taranaki, you can access one-on-one sexuality peer support, hang out at our drop-in centre, join social groups to meet other rainbow young people, and use our free community wardrobe in a safe and inclusive space. Scroll down to discover more about RY Taranaki.

Support Services

  • Sexuality Support

    Peer Support involves meeting one-on-one with a support worker either in person, virtually or over the phone. We provide strength-based peer support that considers hauora, resilience, cultural identities & individual journeys.

    Refer Here!

  • Social Groups

    Our social groups are smoke, alcohol & drug free spaces where young people can connect with one another in a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment. Each of our groups are youth-led and hosted by trained facilitators.

    Join a Group!

Taranaki Support Team

  • Benson

    They/Them | Interim Taranaki Regional Coordinator | Te Atiawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruahine

    Im Benson! Im a Taranaki local, and passionate about supporting my community. I have a wonderful partner and 2 amazing kids. In my spare time i like listening to music, playing video games and baking!

  • Wesley

    He/They | Interim National Support Manager

    I'm Wes! I'm from Scotland but live in gorgeous Taranaki. I'm passionate about creating spaces for queer joy to thrive and having fun whenever possible. Outside of mahi I love crafting zines, spending time with my besties and being a hot chip connoisseur!

Drop in Centre

Our drop-in centres are open to queer, intersex, takatāpui and gender diverse young people aged 27 and under, their friends and whānau, and the communities that support our young people too.

Here you can hang out, play games, access our free community wardrobe and resources!

The Taranaki drop in centre is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 2PM - 5PM. We are located on 2/7 King Street, Ngāmotu CBD (Above Poppies). Follow us on our instagram for updates!

Our drop in centres are:

  • Gender inclusive and affirming: We might ask for your name and pronouns and all toilets are gender free

  • Zero tolerance of racism, homophobia, transphobia, intersexphobia and biphobia

  • Respectful of privacy and boundaries: Photos are taken only with your permission and personal information is only shared or publicised with your knowledge

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance and toilet

  • Unlimited wifi, computer and landline access

  • Smoke, drug and alcohol free spaces.

Contact us: Taranaki@ry.org.nz

As part of Trans Week of Awareness, we were so lucky to be offered the ARTspace at @art_104.4fm to display pieces made by local takatāpui and gender diverse rangatahi, as well as some of our kaimahi. - The artists used mixed media for their pieces. F
Here's what's happening this wiki at RY Taranaki Thursday and Friday our drop-in center is open, 2pm - 5pm Come by for kai, games and to hang out! We're located at Level 2, 7 King Street, just above Poppies Bookshop. See you there!!
We're closed today, hope everyone is staying dry & warm! We'll see y'all next week <3
Here's what's happening this wiki at RY Taranaki! Due to staff being away we'll only be open on Friday and we'll be watching a Halloween Movie (still TBD, send us some recommendations??) We're located at 2/7 King Street, just above Poppies the book
Calling all campers! Registrations for our next Queer Camp are now open!! - This will be hosted in Taranaki, be held over 4 days/3 nights and we'll have a range of activities for y'all 😁 - This form is only for y'all to register your interest in com
Due to staff being on leave, drop in is shut this week. We'll be back next week and it'll be Halloween! Any appropriate movie suggestions are appreciated 👀 flick us a DM! Have a great week everyone!! 💟
Another throwback from the past year! In July we spent a couple hours at @ymcataranaki using their awesome climbing gym and bouldering wall 🧗‍♂️ Our rangatahi and our kaimahi had the best time! Some people being experienced and some being new,
Throwback to this time last year when we were planning out our first Queer Ball in Taranaki, held at the beautiful Inglewood Town Hall 😍 - This was such an amazing experience, and having our rangatahi share their visions of the theme, snacks and ove
This week at RainbowYOUTH Taranaki!! This Thursday, Benson is in the Rainbow Room at @witt_taranaki! Come by and check out their mini community wardrobe, to chat about RY events/services or just to hang out! Thursday afternoon we have our weekly dr
This week at RY Taranaki! Tonight, we have a pool party at the Aquatic Center from 7:30pm - 9:30pm only for those who have registered. And this Thurs/Fri, drop in is open like normal. Come along for the usual games, kai and community. Were at Leve
Here's what's happening this wiki at RY Taranaki! The drop in centre is only open on Friday, we'll have games, kai and good vibes! We're located at 2/7 King Street, just above Poppies the book shop in Ngāmotu.
We're going back to the pools! We're booking out the aquatic centre after hours, with the hydroslide on for an hour too! You're welcome to come along for a splash with the waves on, or a soak in spa pool. It's free to attend but you've got to regis
This wiki the drop in centre is only open on Friday, we have a super special guest - RALPH (he/him)! Come by between 2pm - 5pm to hangout, have some kai, play game and kōrero with our team! We're located at 2/7 King Street, Ngāmotu CBD (just above
Kia ora team! We're closed this week at RY Taranaki whilst our kaimahi are on leave. Stay tuned for updates for next wiki!
Calling all creatives 13-27 who identify as transgender, takatāpui, MVPFAFF+, non-binary, transgender, and gender diverse! We've been offered an AMAZING opportunity by @art_104.4fm during the month of November to display some amazing pieces from loc

@Taranaki.ry