Living in a region like South Taranaki, where public transport is limited to one bus a day between Hawera and New Plymouth, can be tough on young people.
South Taranaki District Council Youth Development Officer Peter Heard said for young people living outside Hawera in Waverley, Patea. Manaia, Eltham, Kaponga and Opunake, life was sometimes difficult trying to sort ways to get into Hawera for important appointments.
"When it's formal appointments like Winz, job interviews or wanting to do a study course all the link ups are generally in the hub town of Hawera."
It had been of concern to authorities that many young people who couldn't get a ride into Hawera usually hitchhiked or drove illegally.
"Most appointments like Winz or study courses are in Hawera, and if they miss a Winz appointment for example their benefit will be cut off and that happens very, very quickly."
It's just one of the issues facing young people that Mr Heard is working to solve.
Mr Heard was a youth development officer in Auckland and joined the South Taranaki District three years ago. Earlier he had worked as an adviser in enviro schools.
Working with young people whether it be secondary school students or young adults trying to get work and study opportunities, was rewarding and always interesting, he said.
Last year as part of South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop's Taskforce, Mr Heard headed up the inaugural Youth to Work Awards. They are on again in 2014, with the nomination forms out now. The categories are Employers Award, Young Achiever Award and Education and Training.
Last year's young achiever winner Katherine Bosworth was a cadet at the Hawera Library. Though thrilled with her award she's not exactly sure whether she will enjoy her Outward Bound Scholarship prize when she goes next month.
"I just don't really know. I'm a bit scared ... but I've been told it will be great for me and that I'll love it."
When Katherine won the award she was described as a person always filled with enthusiasm and energy with a huge desire to learn.
Even though she is still working towards her librarian degree, she said she doesn't actually get time to read for fun because she's always studying.
"But I'll get back to reading when all this studying is over."
Mr Heard said a major factor in working with youth was the Mayor's Taskforce, focussing on jobs for young people and bringing together youth, employers, trainers and educators.
"We want to see young people under 25 years in education, study, training, work or other activities that will help them to long-term economic independence and well-being."
Mr Heard talks to young people in the outlying smaller towns by frequently visiting and telling them about education, training and work opportunities.
"We just hope we can help them stay on track and transition them successfully from school to training and work."
There were usual problems in the area of drugs and truancy.
At the end of June 2011, 695 young people were receiving unemployment-related benefits in the Taranaki, King Country, and Whanganui region. Of these, 324 (46.7 per cent) were young Maori.
In South Taranaki the Youth Development Council, supported by the South Taranaki District Council, found driving licences was an issue for young people in the area.
But the Ministry of Youth Development has now provided funding to assist young people get their licence and the Police, Road Safe Taranaki, local AA services, Fire Service and families were supporting training sessions, information evenings, study sessions, driving lessons and mock tests.
Twenty-six young people have passed a stage of their licence, while 10 have been set up with a cheaper re-sit fee and test experience for free.
It has meant the council were able successfully to apply to the Ministry of Youth Development for further funding to run another driving course to assist more young people, he said.
And Regional Youth Council forums are run twice a year for young people from Stratford, New Plymouth, South Taranaki, Whanganui and Palmerston North and have been invaluable, he said.
"It's that chance to compare notes and talk about ways of working, like minds and all that."
Recently a Glow Party for Youth held at the hub in Hawera was a huge success, he said.
"No alcohol, no drugs and everyone had a great night. It was packed."