Partnership with ASB Community Trust to support Manurewa youth

A five year commitment by ASB Community Trust into a Manurewa-based youth programme, Taiohi Whai Oranga, will help address youth education, health and employment issues in the area.

"Manurewa has the fastest growing youth population nationally, but 39 per cent are unemployed and a further 43 per cent have no qualifications," Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Gill says.

"That has long-term implications for the young people themselves, and the wider community. Taiohi Whai Oranga are doing excellent work to get better outcomes by building youth leadership, capabilities and aspirations.

"The Trust's support will help Taiohi Whai Oranga develop their programmes, support more young people, and achieve greater social impact."

The primary focus of Taiohi Whai Oranga's work is the 28 per cent of Manurewa youth who are Māori. “In Manurewa, the disconnection from Te Ao Māori is arguably the precursor for Māori youth to a disconnection from wider society, school, employment and whānau,” says Project Development Manager Deidre Otene.

“If Māori youth do not successfully participate in both Te Ao Māori (Māori society) and Te Ao Hurihuri (modern world) they are less likely to fully develop the personal identity, peer and whānau relationships and other societal connections.”

Taiohi Whai Oranga's approach considers the whole person. Through a mix of one-to-one support, involvement in education, hauora, and youth leadership programmes, Taiohi Whai Oranga helps young people develop values, rangatiratanga (self-determination), identity and self-awareness.

"We want them to have the competencies they need to achieve balanced wellbeing and success," Ms Otene says.

Taiohi Whai Oranga operates from Manurewa Marae where they provide a one stop shop for services.

Funding for Taiohi Whai Oranga comes from ASB Community Trust's Catalysts for Change programme which provides multi-year funding to support new approaches to solve complex social issues. Catalysts for Change partners are also provided with organisational support through the Trust's new Centre for Social Impact.

The Trust will invest about $400,000 a year to support the programme through to 2019.

The launch began with a powhiri at Manurewa Marae, 81 Finlayson Road, Manurewa, followed by presentations by Taiohi Whai Oranga.

For further information: 
Susana Guttenbeil
Communications Manager
DDI 09 360 3527
M 021 669 648