Katikati, Maketu and Whangamata are three of nine New Zealand communities to receive $10,000 in funding to deliver the Youth in Emergency Services programme in 2017.

Acting Youth Minister Anne Tolley says the programme aims to foster an ongoing, sustainable relationship between young people and the volunteer emergency services.

'Young people involved get to build their knowledge and skills, and it's also a boost for communities which can sometimes find it difficult to attract emergency services volunteers.

Up to 15 young people for each community will take part in the programme which involves participants familiarising themselves with the work of local participating emergency services, before undertaking a two-month volunteering opportunity with their chosen service.

Currently 25 communities from Kaikohe to Alexandra, including the Thames-Coromandel district, have received funding to deliver the YES programme, which was piloted back in 2013.

'This is about growing the capabilities and confidence of young people, and at the same time reinforcing the preparedness and resilience of our communities.”

The other six communities to deliver the programme in 2017 are Dargaville, Blenheim, Nelson, Murchison, Waimakariri and Hokitika.