Youth’07 – The Second National Health and Wellbeing Survey of New Zealand Secondary School Students

Youth’07 was the second Youth2000 national survey of the health and wellbeing of secondary school students in New Zealand. The aim was to update and extend the original survey conducted in 2001 by tracking trends and investigating new issues for young people. Many of the questions relating to mental and physical wellbeing, connectedness to school and family, and risk-taking behaviours remained the same. However, new questions on issues, such as rapidly changing technology with the use of the internet, mobile phones and text bullying, were also included. With increasing concern about the apparent rise in the number of students who are overweight or obese, student measurements were also taken to provide some much needed New Zealand data on this issue.

Funders: The Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Department of Labour, Families Commission, Accident Corporation of New Zealand, Sport and Recreation New Zealand, The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, Ministries of Youth Development, Justice and Health. Support for the electronic communication of the Youth'07 project was provided by Vodafone New Zealand.

Collecting the data for the Youth'07 survey took place between March and October 2007 in 96 randomly selected secondary schools throughout New Zealand. The students completed the web-based survey on a voluntary basis using state-of-the-art hand-held computers. In addition to the student survey a school climate study was conducted with school staff to ascertain what influence the school climate has on student and staff health and wellbeing. The results from the Youth'07 survey were released in initial reports at the end of 2008 and more reports have become available during 2009.

If you are interested in how this survey was actually conducted follow this link: Survey Demonstration and Resources.

The Wharekura Survey was conducted with Maori-language secondary schools throughout the country. The entire questionnaire was translated into Te Reo Maori and Maori voiceovers were recorded for the computerised survey. All the information resources and publications were also translated and printed in Te Reo. Te Reo Maori speakers were recruited to work in the general and Wharekura field research teams. 


The Youth'07 Auckland Field Research Team

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