Building Confidence, Breaking Barriers

Transformation happens every day through the Whakapakari Mahi Programme—a holistic initiative designed to empower whānau to overcome barriers and build brighter futures by upskilling individuals for work. For Community Ministries Manager Teneille,  the heart of the programme is simple: ‘We talk about this as an opportunity to invest in yourself. It’s about doing better for you.’

The people who walk through the doors come from all walks of life. ‘We see a really diverse range of people,’ says Teneille. ‘Some have been struggling with mental health challenges, cognitive disabilities, trauma, and addictions. We’ve even had clients with serious health conditions, which can be tricky to navigate. Our team often focuses on connecting them with doctors, counselling, and other essential services. We remind whānau that they’re not alone. There’s strength in community, and that’s what we aim to build,’ continues Teneille.

The team works hard to create an environment where people feel respected and supported. Lead Facilitator Kath highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for learning. ‘Seeing whānau take the tools they’ve learned and share them with others—that’s huge. We know what works because we’ve applied it in our own lives.’ Teneille adds, ‘we’ve realised we can’t just give food. We need to provide spaces for education and support. That’s what wraparound care looks like.’

The programme is about more than job readiness; it’s about life readiness. Alongside practical skills like CV writing and interview preparation, the programme includes the Positive Lifestyle Programme (PLP), which Teneille calls foundational. ‘PLP gives whānau the opportunity to look inwards. Without that, you can’t deal with barriers to work.’

Participants also take part in Oranga Kai (cooking classes), Safe Men Safe Family (breaking cycles of violence), Money Moves (budgeting and financial mentoring), and physical fitness activities, including a shared goal of completing a 5km loop track. After the course, six months of pastoral care ensures ongoing support.

Facilitator Shane sees identity as a key focus. ‘A lot of the men we work with have lost confidence. They’ve been through tough stuff—violence, addiction, broken relationships—and they’re carrying shame. So, we create a space where they can open up. For many Māori men, identity is huge. Being faith-based, we can bring God into the conversation and say, “You might think this is who you are, but here’s who we believe you are.” That different perspective is powerful,’ he says.

One participant shares how the Whakapakari Mahi Programme changed her life. ‘It gave me a valuable taste of what it’s like to attend a course with a larger group of people, which really helped build my confidence to get into tertiary education. I came away with practical skills, like understanding how to cope with challenges and build resilience. I now feel much stronger.’

The programme has grown significantly, with capacity now increasing to 20 participants per intake. The team remains committed to holistic care—addressing housing, food security, and wellbeing alongside employment readiness. As Kath puts it, ‘Your past doesn’t define your future—you get to choose where you want to be.’