Ngā Rangatahi Toa

Ngā Rangatahi Toa has been nationally and internationally recognised for its social justice -based education work and Creative Youth Development (CYD) work for young people. Their immersive and intensive programmes use creative arts and wellbeing initiatives to help connect “rangatahi” (Māori for “youth”) to their purpose, and to imagine a positive future for themselves.

Many of their rangatahi are on the verge of dropping out of school, or are already in alternative education. They are supported by Ngā Rangatahi Toa’s youth development team, which fosters long-term positive involvement in the lives of young people and helps implement their “whānau” (Māori for “family”) first approach.

The sense of purpose young people develop is strengthened through deep, meaningful relationships that happen over time through their intensive wānanga (Māori idea of holistic education/“forum”). Some examples of Ngā Rangatahi Toa’s wānanga initiatives include in-school programmes and an end-of-year theatre performance, titled Manawa Ora.