Waha Game sets
This grant supports the professional production of classroom game sets that form part of WAHA, an innovative civics education programme developed by YouthLaw Aotearoa. WAHA builds on the Foundation’s earlier grant in the development and pilot of the programme, which was originally funded as Civics in Schools: Empowering Young People – Creating Change.
About the project
WAHA empowers high school students to see themselves as capable of making positive change in their communities. Through engaging and accessible legal and civics education, the programme equips young people with the knowledge and confidence to understand their rights and responsibilities, navigate legal issues, and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Developed in collaboration with young people, teachers and legal experts, WAHA responds to YouthLaw’s longstanding experience of supporting children and young people who are often excluded from legal and policy processes that affect them. The programme is designed to elevate young people’s voices while strengthening their understanding of how laws are made, how democratic institutions function, and how they can contribute to positive change in their communities.
WAHA comprises modular lessons and multimedia resources, giving teachers the flexibility to integrate civics and citizenship education into their classrooms. A key component of the programme is a series of interactive classroom games that enable students to explore legal concepts, democratic processes and civic participation through collaborative and experiential learning. Initial funding from The Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation supported the development and piloting of WAHA. This additional grant supports the professional production of 100 classroom game sets (as part of a larger print run) for distribution to schools, helping to ensure that the programme’s legal education resources can reach more young people across Aotearoa.
Grant amount
$20,000 in 2026
About YouthLaw Aotearoa
YouthLaw Aotearoa is a Community Law Centre providing free legal services to people under 25 across Aotearoa. We are lawyers, educators, advocates and young people working towards a shared vision of a “fair and just Aotearoa where children and young people’s rights are respected, and their voices heard” by providing legal advice, education sessions, law reform initiatives and community engagement projects.www.youthlaw.co.nz Waha is a civics education programme that YouthLaw created alongside youth, teachers, and legal experts and launched in 2026 www.waha.org.nz
Contact
Darryn Aitchison, General Manager, YouthLaw
Tel: 09 250 2662