Te Oranga Pūmanawa – giving rangatahi hope for the future

Lockdown presented extra challenges for Te Oranga Pūmanawa, a Maraenui based personal development programme for 16 to 25-year-olds.

Technology came to the rescue for the first cohort of 15, who had just started their course and had to stay engaged online, says Caine Tawhai, kaiārahi (supporter/tutor).

The kaupapa Māori programme includes participating in daily traditional Māori meditation, looking at changes they can make to their lifestyles for the better, leadership, and working through their aspirations and goals, whether that be going on to work or further education.

Just prior to lockdown they also participated in a Te Whare A-Io wananga, with Beez (Ngarino) Te Waati, founder of Māori Movement.

The first group has recently finished their course, and Caine is pleased that even before it finished two kairapuhia had found work, and another started studying. “It’s all about personal development. It’s giving them hope for the future, and their future direction. And when the course finishes we will continue to support them as long as they need us.”

To find out more about the course, run by Angel Promotions Ltd, in partnership with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), go to facebook.com/teorangapumanawa/

15 June 2020

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