Marist Youth Leader was first presented in December 2002 at St. Bede’s College, Christchurch. From the first programme of fifty-one students from five all-boys schools, it has grown in size and scope to now include all nine schools in the National Network of Marist Schools. One hundred and forty Year 13 students and twenty-five staff attend the programme each year in January.
The programme centres on ten ‘keys’ of leadership, namely:
Making a Start.
Principle-Centred Living.
Being Proactive.
Courage.
Teamwork.
A Passion for Excellence.
The Ability to Fail.
Perseverance.
Servant leadership.
The Call to Greatness.
Each day includes input, reflection, discussion and interaction based around these keys. Participants spend most of their time in course groups with other students from around the Network. The course groups participate, create, and actively engage in daily Eucharist and liturgies, outdoor activities, social activities, drama presentations and seminars that allow them to put theory into practice.
The programme is presented by a specially trained group of young leaders, most being university students. They are part of the wide network of volunteer leaders that have become vital part to the Young Marists organisation.
Marist Youth Leader is usually held at Hato Pāora College, Feilding – the only Catholic, Māori Boys’ boarding school in New Zealand. Hato Pāora, its students, staff and extended whānau (respectfully known as the ‘Whāea Brigade’) provide the MYL participants with a clear and tangible model of servant leadership, focussed on care and manaakitanga.
In 2022 we saw the third venue of Marist Youth Leader Aotearoa - St Patrick’s College, Silverstream - due to renovations at Hato Pāora. Utilising the boarding hostel, the programme has been able to endure through the challenges of COVID-19 as of yet.
Over the years, Marist Youth Leader has taken place for a range of communities in New Zealand, Australia, United States, and the Pacific Islands.
