Te Kete Whanau Ako

This programme is aimed at assisting whānau to thrive in the tertiary space. It is a specialised and tailored programme to uplift and uphold mana matauranga.

The key outcomes of this programme is to place tauira into their passions through tertiary means to help them achieve lifelong careers.

We believe that our people have the DNA to do anything they want and be anything they want, no matter what the barrier. Through our leadership and mentoring programme we provide the support and guidance to keep our people on track and to help them achieve their aspirations.

Whanau Ako is an innovative programme that offers multifaceted services in career planning, start to finish tertiary assistance, taster courses, mentoring and coaching. Throughout our 12 week wānanga, we will be with tauira every step of the way to walk beside them on their journey of knowledge.

Our programme consists of:

Week1/3 : Te Arero o Te Taniwhā (Taniwhas Tongue)

Intensive development of soft skills- goal setting, team building mechanisms, health and wellbeing facilitations. This is done with the overarching principal of Tikanga Maori entwined with the values and principles of our Pacific cousins. We will have guest speakers/ industry specific speakers/Whanau Ora/kaihautu/employer representatives/trust stakeholders to present. The week will finish off with preparation towards the following weeks taster courses and preparation for study options finalised by a cultural close off of our first week’s engagement.

  • Noho Marae/Cultural training
  • Team building
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Whakawhanaungatanga
  • Goal setting
  • Iwi Recognition
  • Guest Speakers/Site
  • Specific visits
  • Preparation for study
  • Qualifications – drivers licensing, bridging courses
Weeks 4/5 : Mahia Te Mahi (Keep Moving Forward )
Mahia Te Mahi will consist of preparing the prospective students for the ‘real world’. Our aim is to assist them in selecting their courses, finding appropriate resourcing for their study and teach them financial literacy to survive as students. We will have a ‘hands-on’ approach to aid them on their path to matauranga.
Weeks 5/8 : Tō Timatanga hou (Your New Beginning)
  • Sector specific placement/employment transition
  • Employment secured
  • Work experience secured (if needed)
  • External partner Sector specific delivery programmes.
Weeks 9/11 : Ko Koe Ano Te Kaiwhakaura i tō Āpōpo (You are the creator of your tomorrow)

These weeks consist of follow-up individual kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) hui with tauira for ongoing support through the transitional phase to finalise their study plans. Within weeks 9/10/11, a support mechanism will be activated in the form of multiple engagements and Kaitiakitanga of whanau. These 3 weeks are in place for ongoing training, further micro qualifications including drivers licensing, first aid and health and wellbeing support in and outside of study. Within this mechanism we will activate a 24/7 0800 support line to our whanau that is directed at our Senior Kaitiaki/Mahi Ora (on job mentor) to offer all facets of support around the clock.
We will also work alongside institutions to induct and acclimate the tauira into their new environment.

  • Kaitiaki & Whanau Ora approach support service
  • Personal journey overview
  • 24/7 Kaitiaki phone line service for Tauira
  • Digital kaitiaki service activated
Week 12 : Te Wiki Hautupua (Celebration Week)

Te wiki Hautupua is our celebration week. Celebrating the successes of our tauira through hakari, putting down hangi , team building exercises and a final reconnection through cultural training. The final celebration day will be solely in place to celebrate the collective progression of our cohort and their whanau who will attend. To give them a day to remember their achievements and attribute the positive outlook of their individual future pathways.

  • Marae day- Individual whakapapa stories
  • Activity day
  • Haircuts/styled, personal hygiene workshop and interview dress wear acquired, Make up tutorials for our wahine cohort.
  • Celebration hakari based at the marae with invitation of ministers, employers, and whanau of tauira, stakeholders, media and funders. Certificate presentation and celebration.
  • Whanau story’s and achievements celebrated