About the project

The Our Voices project aims to better understand the diverse and complex journey our young people experience growing up in Aotearoa to inform policy and services targeted to supporting their wellbeing. Tō Mātou Rerenga -Our Journey is an app co-designed with young people to share their lived experiences and resulted in the collection of rich qualitative multi-modal information from almost 1,000 13-year-olds participating in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study. The collaborative research programme uses innovative research methods and policy partnerships to help shape the future for generations to come. The project was funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and involves a multidisciplinary team of national and international experts. For more information visit https://ourvoices.auckland.ac.nz/.

Within The Our Voices project, the Social Connections: In-person and Online study aimed at exploring experiences of belonging, friendship and social media use with youth voice data collected via Tō Mātou Rerenga - Our Journey app.

‍

Suggested citation

Fan, J., Ogden S. E., Rudd, G., Marks E., Peterson, E. R., Walker, C. G. & Meissel, K a. (2025). Social Connections: In-person and Online (Our Voices Summer Snapshot Series). Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland.

‍