Wanganui East and Aramoho communities will be asked to get aboard with programmes aimed at steering the young people in their suburb on a better pathway.
The programmes are being driven by the Community Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing, a taskforce jointly led by the Wanganui District Council and local iwi.
The taskforce was set up in 2007 to co-ordinate and create initiatives that will assist young people to make more positive and worthwhile choices and support the work of other agencies working in this area.
District councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan, who co-chairs the taskforce, said police and some members of the taskforce who live in both areas recognised there was a rising issue with young people being attracted to gangs.
"But while there is concern about this, we see an opportunity to do something positive," Councillor Baker-Hogan said.
She said the agencies and groups represented by the taskforce agreed action was needed to offer activities for the youngsters and which were supported the whole community.
"It was clear from our discussions that issues exist but what was not clear was the extent of the problems and most importantly, what kinds of solutions the community in Wanganui East would like to see."
She said community ownership would be vital if any ideas were to be promoted positively.
"We could say let's get a touch rugby model started up over there but it will take more than that. And while the community needs support, this process needs to be driven by them," she said.
There will be an initial survey of residents and young people to get a clear picture of the issues and then Wanganui's Mayor Annette Main will chair a public meeting in Wanganui East early next month where people could have a say about their community.
Councillor Baker-Hogan said there were very few activities and facilities young people would like to access based in Wanganui East and this was contributing to a lack of engagement with their immediate local community.
"There are no youth services based in the area at present either.
"Wanganui East does have a great facility in terms of the swimming pool, but this is seasonal even though it's really well used by local young people. This shows us they are keen to do things and take part in activities if they are close to home, affordable and accessible."
She said the taskforce was about getting initiatives under way and working with young people and their families.