Māori mentoring and pathways to wellbeing : Te Huarahi o te Ora / Rachel Selby & Alex Barnes.

Includes bibliographical references.

Chapter 1. Background -- Chapter 2. Philanthropic relationships and social justice -- Chapter 3. Te huarahi o te Ora and whānau development -- Chapter 4. Realising potential through mentoring -- Chapter 5. Towards wellbeing.

"You have to set goals to achieve them! This has been the key message of a whānau focussed mentoring scheme that has connected Ngāti Pareraukawa youth back to their marae near Levin. On 15th March "Maori mentoring and pathways to wellbeing: Te Huarahi o te Ora", a book about the programme, will be launched at Ngatokowaru marae. Starting in 2007, this mentoring scheme, called "Te Huarahi o te Ora" (the pathway to/of wellbeing), sought to empower rangatahi (young people) to achieve their ambitions in life through mentors drawn from the hapu. Holding the mentoring workshops at Ngātokowaru marae gave everyone the opportunity to revitalise their connections with the marae and with each other. "We wanted to make coming to the marae more appealing for young people. Not to make them feel like they have to come every fourth Sunday for church because their parents come; not to feel that they had to come because there's a tangi or that they only come when there's a tangi. We wanted to create other environments for rangatahi to become involved in. We've got beautiful resources here and a beautiful environment and we wanted to bring the young people back here, and we needed a strategy about how to do that." Though young people were the focus initially, their aunties, cousins and parents all encouraged them to give it a go. Then they themselves participated in the workshops and became goal setters. The programme focus developed, expanding to cater for the practical needs of whanau. "I feel comfortable out there because I've got that sense of belonging. Like when we have marae working bees, I can stand there on my turangawaewae, I can get my hands dirty, I can contribute: take down an old roof, whack in a new roof - do whatever is required. I belong and I know the faces and they know my face. I'm not just a stranger. It's wicked." March 18th marks the 35th anniversary of the completion of the current meeting house, Ngātokowaru, and its opening in 1978. As part of the anniversary celebrations, "Maori mentoring and pathways to wellbeing: Te Huarahi o te Ora" will be launched. This book provides an account of the first six years of the marae-based mentoring programme and celebrates the contribution of all who have made it a success. It highlights key points for others who are developing similar programmes for rangatahi and whanau to connect with their marae. It also acknowledges the JR McKenzie Trust for their support of the programme over the past 5 years"--http://www.wheelers.co.nz