Rangatahi Strengthen Their Mana In Wai Pitomata At Te Whānau o Waipareira

Congratulations to the four graduates from our Wai Pitomata Programme that has smoothed the transition between leaving school and entering the workforce full time.

Students RJ, Cesear, Dennis and Fritz, alongside programme facilitators Brandi and Gino are pictured here with their taonga and certificates. The foursome completed the ten week programme that included job interview training, Shark Tank-like presentations and creating successful CV’s as well as gaining their drivers licenses and first aid certificates.

Programme facilitator Gino led the emotional occasion.

“This is bittersweet as we don’t want them to leave, but at the same time we know they have to move on and do their thing. This was enjoyable work for us, these boys made it that way and it makes us want to fight even more for this contract because, this is the reason why. We have seen it first-hand the way these kids come in here on day one and they’re low, but when they leave after ten weeks they walk with their heads held high and that’s how we know we’ve done our job”.

The Wai Pitomata Programme is an Employment and Training Pathway for rangatahi that began in August 2022 and in that short time has had over 100 graduates with more waiting to join the next cohort.

Outcome and Programme Specialist Rick Curtin spearheaded the initiative two years ago knowing it was a safe space for rangatahi.

“This work is crucial and if we’re not doing it, then who is looking after these kids in our community. That’s the dangerous part and so we will continue to fight for this contract to continue to support rangatahi towards positive futures with a high sense of achievement and their mana intact".

Te Whānau o Waipareira kaimahi Mark Hiini leads the pastoral care for the graduates to ensure they are supported through the next stage of securing suitable employment or training.