Tayla Taylor

Ko Tayla Taylor tōku ingoa.
I have been a youth worker for over a decade and am a passionate champion for youth voice in all spaces, empowering rangatahi to step into their strengths and leadership. I am social-work trained and currently mahi within VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai as the National Youth Leadership Development Lead.
I am deeply committed to the professionalisation, capacity, and credibility of our youth sector, and see upskilling, training and being connected as essential to strengthening our collective practice. Alongside my youth voice mahi, I am energised by systems-change kaupapa, amplifying marginalised voices, and ensuring that our systems are equitable, accessible, and grounded in the lived realities of our communities.
Rerenga Awa has been a meaningful part of my journey for many years. I previously worked with the organisation twice - first from 2014–2016, and again from 2018–2019 — in both administration and as the Youth Voice Canterbury Coordinator.
Now, with over ten years of experience across youth work, social services, frontline advocacy, management, and governance, I’m excited to return as a committee member. It’s a privilege to come back in a new capacity and support the kaupapa that helped shape my early practice.