Sometimes, contracts come to an end, but the impact of the mahi lives on.
Sadly, the Ministry of Youth Development has made the decision not to continue funding the Ākonga contract that our three amazing Youth Coaches, BJ, Elise, and Michelle, have been delivering.
This programme has been truly life-changing for many rangatahi. With the guidance and support of our Youth Coaches, young people have grown in confidence, developed new skills, and re-engaged with school and training in ways that previously felt out of reach. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, not only from rangatahi themselves, but from teachers and whānau who have seen the difference firsthand.
By the time the contract finishes at the end of this year, 360 rangatahi will have been supported by BJ, Elise, and Michelle. That’s an incredible achievement, and a legacy that will continue to ripple through the lives of those young people.
We’re not giving up though. A proposal was submitted last month to MSD for a new contract, and if successful, this would create redeployment opportunities for our Youth Coaches, and allow us to keep building on the great work already done.
For now, we want to say a massive thank you to BJ, Elise, and Michelle. Your mahi has been outstanding, and you can be so proud of everything you have achieved alongside rangatahi.
Connect with us