A new Social Return on Investment (SROI) report has found
that grassroots youth organisation Rānui 135 is
delivering significant, long-term impact for taiohi in West
Tāmaki Makaurau, generating $4.86 in social value
for every $1 invested.
The independent
analysis, conducted by Hands for Impact in partnership with
Ara Taiohi, estimates a total social value of $13.56
million over five years (2025–2030).
Early
engagement and long-term youth work delivering real
outcomes
Founded in 2002, Rānui 135 has evolved from
a grassroots initiative into a trusted hub for early
engagement with taiohi aged 13–18. Grounded in Māori and
Pasifika values, the organisation provides culturally-led,
relationship-based support to its community.
The
report identifies six key outcomes for
taiohi:
Greater network of
support
Improved mental wellbeing
Increased sense of
belonging to a community
Stronger sense of
self
Greater ability to advance in education, work, or
training
Developed leadership skills
These outcomes
show how Rānui 135’s mahi builds real social value: a
$4.86 return on investment is only a fraction of the value
Rānui 135 creates.
Relationships and
community
Rānui is a young and diverse community,
with significantly higher proportions of Māori and Pacific
peoples than the national average. The report highlights
that place-based, culturally grounded youth
work is essential to meeting the needs of local
taiohi.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
At the core of Rānui 135’s impact are youth
workers, often from the same communities. They create safe,
whānau-like environments where young people feel seen,
supported, and empowered.
As one former participant
puts it:
“Knowing they are still here and
showing up for the community truly is a testament to how
much they are needed.”
Investing in
long-term outputs and local leadership
The findings
point to a broader challenge: funding systems that
prioritise crisis response over positive change. Rānui 135
demonstrates that long-term investment in community,
culture, and relationships delivers measurable, lasting
change.
A defining strength of the organisation is its
ability to develop taiohi into leaders from within. Many go
on to become mentors, youth workers, and community leaders,
creating a cycle of contribution that strengthens the wider
community.
Co-founder Zee notes:
“We
need to invest in our local leaders… if your organisation
is set up with a strong foundation… they invest back into
the community.”
Measuring what
matters
SROI is an internationally recognised
methodology that assigns financial value to social outcomes,
helping funders and decision-makers to understand the real
impact of youth work.
This analysis drew on Treasury
CBAx data, comparable programme costs, and extensive
engagement with taiohi, staff, and community stakeholders.
Conservative assumptions and independent assurance ensure
the findings are robust and credible. This SROI
report has been internationally assured, so the
Rānui 135 report is a significant achievement. It has been
delivered only a few months after a Hands For Impact / Ara
Taiohi SROI report on Tararua Community Youth Services also
found investment creates significant social value.
A
case for long-term investment
Organisations like
Rānui 135 are critical community infrastructure. When
supported with sustained funding, they not only transform
individual lives but also build stronger, more connected
communities for generations.
The full SROI report is
available here: https://www.handsforimpact.com/sroi-reports
Ara
Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in
Aotearoa. They are a national membership based organisation
connected to over 4,000 organisations and individuals
representing a diverse range of groups and practitioners
that work with young people:https://arataiohi.org.nz/
Hands
For Impact is a social impact organisation that
works with charities to maximise their social impact through
the provision of both evaluative and forecasting SROI
analysis. They are on a mission to improve access to social
impact measurement for non-profit organisations in Aotearoa
by offering a cost-effective, collaborative and sector-wide
approach: https://www.handsforimpact.com/