Young people generally don’t talk about how they’re feeling, and expressed they often feel alone in their experiences. However, when given the space and provocation, they appreciated the opportunity to share safely.

‘DMs’ references ‘direct messaging’ and ‘deep and meaningful conversation’. The project sought to understand the experiences and needs of Māori and Pasifika young people transitioning out of school amidst the global complexity of COVID-19.

DMs used design research, listening, making and testing to arrive at a clear sense of how the wellbeing of Māori and Pasifika young people can be supported.