Want to share a story
If you are interested in sharing your story and being part of Hear Me See Me, read the guidelines below to decide if it is right for you.
Whether your story becomes a podcast or is featured in Hear Me See Me another way, you can expect the process to look like this:
Getting involved
After you’ve read this page and decided you want to have your story in the campaign, click on the button below and send us a message. Make sure you include your name, contact info, location, age, gender and a brief bit about yourself and your story. There's no need to go into lots of details about your experiences or your story - just provide a short summary that explains what it's about.
When we receive your information, someone in the Hear Me See Me team will be in touch to talk about next steps, such as how your story may fit and the process for making your story part of Hear Me See Me.
Please note they may need to talk with you a few times to make a decision about the best place for your story before we move to the next step.
The role of a Hear Me See Me guide
Once we agree on how your story fits with Hear Me See Me, a Hear Me See Me guide (one of our team members) will message you. They will act as a kaitiaki or guardian for you during your Hear Me See Me journey.
They will look after you and honour your trust and expectations during the process of sharing your story. This will take around eight weeks and your guide will be there with you at every step.
The first meeting
Before you meet, please think about whether you would like a support person you trust to be part of your Hear Me See Me journey. They can be with you for as much of your journey as you want or need.
Hopefully, this meeting will be in person at a time and place that’s good for you. Sometimes it may happen via your preferred app (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc). If it’s in person, your guide will arrange travel for you and your support person.
Whakawhanaungatanga is an important part of the first meeting. Your guide will share some of their personal journey with you.
During the meeting, your guide will tell you about Hear Me See Me and how your story will be supported by us. They will take you through the engagement flowchart [PNG, 874 KB] so you know all about the process.
![engagement flowchart [PNG, 874 KB]](/assets/Uploads/guidelines.png){kind=link}
After the first meeting
The first meeting starts your journey. You may need more meetings with your guide to feel comfortable about the recording session and that’s ok.
During this time, your guide will talk with other people you want involved in the process, such as your friends, whānau, caregivers, transitions worker, youth justice champion, or anyone else you want included.
Once you have agreed to a recording session, your guide will plan a session for a date, time and location that works well for you and the sound engineer.
If you have any cultural considerations, please bring them up with your guide before the session.
Recording Session
This day is a big deal in your Hear Me See Me journey. Your guide will show you the highest care, respect and sensitivity, as they know it’s an honour and privilege to hear your story.
They will contact you in the morning to check in about the session and make sure you’re ready to go.
They will organise travel to get you to and from the session.
They will provide food and refreshments.
Talking can bring up unexpected things. You can stop for a break when you need one.
Feel free to ask any questions before, during and after the recording session. We're here to listen.
After the recording session
- Your guide will offer you support - this is an opportunity to talk about what you need going forward.
- You will be thanked for the taonga that you have shared.
- Your guide will stay in touch and provide regular updates on the story.
Because this is your story, we will need your permission before it’s released in any form. You can decide whether you would like to use your real name or another name in your podcast and other related content. This is a personal decision and is up to you.
Guiding principles, value and framework
The Oranga Tamariki Code of Conduct guides us to act with high standards of integrity and with a spirit of service to you and your community. We will say what we will do and we will do what we say.
The Oranga Tamariki values, mana tamaiti principles and Oranga Tamariki Māori Cultural Framework guide us to do the right thing by you and your whānau, and ensure your safety and wellbeing is the heart of our work.
Hear Me See Me is carried out in a supportive, positive, respectful and inclusive environment where we focus on improving, growing and learning.
We show integrity and follow the law for collecting, storing, using and sharing Hear Me See Me information to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of information is maintained and used only for intended purposes. For more info, please read our privacy policy.
This means we will act in the best interests of you, the young person sharing your story.
Ready to share your story?
Would you like to share your story with us? Send us an email and someone from the Hear Me See Me team will be in touch.
Please remember that while we will work with you to represent your voice in the Hear Me See Me Campaign, not every story will become a podcast.