PCYC Haka Warriors, a values-driven program launched in 2019, has positively impacted the community, promoting cultural pride, leadership, and positive decision-making among Pasifika youth.

This year, the Haka Warriors finale will take place on 15 November at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Olympic Park at 9 am, where 480 students from 14 high schools in Sydney will perform the Haka alongside a cultural dance.

The Haka, traditionally an expression of strength and unity, is described by organisers as "not only a show of physical prowess but also an expression of cultural pride, strength, and unity."

The 20-week Haka Warriors program was developed by PCYC Blacktown in collaboration with NSW Police to foster cultural pride and leadership among young people of Pasifika heritage.

It aims to connect youth with their heritage, instilling pride in their cultural identity and empowering them to make positive choices.

PCYC NSW chief executive Ben Hobby said the program demonstrates how cultural identity can shape and strengthen young lives.

"Haka Warriors is a reminder of how cultural identity can positively shape young lives," Mr Hobby said.

"Witnessing these young people find pride, purpose, and leadership in their culture is incredible.

"Each young person that participates in the program carries forward a piece of their heritage, ready to lead with strength and unity, and that impact resonates far beyond the program."

The Haka Warriors initiative is a collaborative effort, involving PCYC staff, NSW Police, community leaders, dedicated Pasifika volunteers, school staff, and young participants.

The team regularly visits high schools to lead mentoring and leadership sessions, where students not only learn the Haka but also engage with core values that it symbolises, such as resilience, identity, decision-making, and respect.

This approach has cultivated an environment where youth feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow holistically and embrace their cultural identity.

The program's "authentic" leadership has built strong trust with participating students and schools.

By consistently delivering a platform where young people can celebrate their culture with confidence, Haka Warriors has become a benchmark program for instilling pride and strength among Pasifika youth and their peers.