Building sustainable career pathways for rangatahi across Tāmaki Makaurau and the Waikato.
Our impact in numbers.
Explore how we are shaping a better future for our communities.
>150K
native plants grown annually.
100+
participants in our programmes
since 2023.
74%
of rangatahi scholarship participants entered into education, employment, or training.
1
new programme launched to
support people with corrections
system involvement.
One model. Four kinds of value.
For many years, Te Whāngai has understood its work through Social, Environmental, Economic and Cultural outcomes.
These are not separate workstreams. They are created together through the same nurseries, crews and restoration projects.
Social
Meaningful work, practical skills, mentoring, qualifications, whānau support and individual pathways into education, training and employment.
Environmental
Eco-sourced native plants, restored waterways and landscapes, stronger biodiversity and the ongoing maintenance needed for planting to become established.
Economic
Productive work, local capability, connections with employers and earned income from plant production and environmental services that is reinvested into the kaupapa.
Cultural
Connection to whenua, place and community; the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga; and respectful work alongside mana whenua and community partners.
Environmental contracts and plant sales deliver genuine outcomes for clients and communities. They also help sustain the mentoring, transport, kai, qualifications and transition support around the work. Funding and partnerships add depth where earned income cannot meet the full cost of that support.
Our NEET youth programme.
Te Whāngai Trust supports more than 20 NEET youth and their whānau through our rangatahi scholarships every year to build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive.
Our programme, Ngā Tipu a te Uru Roa, is delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and supported by the Department of Corrections.
The programme strengthens cultural diversity, social connection and a greater sense of belonging and inclusion.
Since 2023:
more than 90% of participants have successfully completed the programme
we have successfully placed 72% of participants into employment, education, or training.
outcomes for Māori and Pacific Islander participants led all other demographics.
Building confidence.
Participants enter the Ngā Tipu a te Uru Roa programme at a range of ages, typically between 15 and 24. Many have experienced early disengagement from education. Our programme provides structured pathways back into employment and training.
“Everybody is somebody’s child.”
Participant profile.
15-24
Age range of participants in
Ngā Tipu a te Uru Roa.
12
new participants
so far in 2026.
16
Median age at which participants
last attended school.
79%
of Māori or Pasifika participants achieving education, employment, or training at completion.