Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi

Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi has been walking alongside rangatahi and whānau for a really long time - more than four decades! Their mahi is grounded in kaupapa Māori, centres on lasting and healthy relationships, supporting young people to strengthen their identity, build connections and carve their own path forward.

The mahi reaches across schools and communities, from youth clubs and leadership opportunities to support with education and the transition into becoming an adult.

Moving from intermediate to high school can be a significant step for rangatahi and their whānau. Through Whakawhiti, Te Ora Hou brings together young people, whānau, schools and youth workers to support that transition and help rangatahi stay connected to learning.

That can mean building relationships before the move, helping whānau navigate enrolment, or making sure support continues once a young person reaches their new school. The approach recognises that belonging, cultural identity and trusted relationships all matter to
a young person’s experience of education.

Our five-year support backs Te Ora Hou as a provider
of kaupapa Māori youth development, including their Whakawhiti mahi. We value the experience, relationships and knowledge held within the organisation, and the opportunity to keep learning from and strengthening that practice.

This is about supporting both the people walking alongside rangatahi and the way that mahi happens.

It reflects our belief that better outcomes for young people depend on the strength of the relationships, communities and systems around them.