What guides our programme?

Just as a compass has guiding points, and as our ancestors were led by certain stars and landmarks, our programme is led by the core values of leadership, generosity, influence and connection. These values are where our journey begins:

Leadership – At the heart of Kaiwhakatere is the belief that all young people have the potential to be incredible leaders to their peers and communities. Whether taking charge on organizing a climate change protest or mentoring a new group of campers, Kaiwhakatere participants are empowered and equipped to take on leadership roles.

Generosity – Through volunteering and being generous with their time, ideas, and skills, young people are encouraged to give back to their communities in a range of ways including volunteering at community events, participating in tree planting and beach clean up days, or volunteering their skills to other community organisations.

Connection – Making new friends. Finding new employment and work experience pathways. Collaborating with other organisations. Connection means understanding that we never do things alone and ensuring that our programme contributes and enhances the community and work being done around us.

So… what have we been up to in 2024 so far?

We had an awesome pilot term of Kaiwhakatere and got to connect with heaps of new young people, organisations and schools. Some key highlights for us were:

  • Partnering with Climate Action Campus for some very hands-on and educational volunteering experience. It felt like we learnt something new every week and often got to leave the campus with some freshly harvested goodies.
  • Our first Youth Mākete of the year was a success with over 30 young business owners holding stalls at our new venue in town. We always love seeing the diversity of people’s creative talents and entreprenurial skills!
  • Delivering a whole bunch of creative workshops at the 4C Technology Centre next door for/ with our rangatahi. We developed skills in lino cutting and printing, DIY beeswax food wraps, sewing, vinyl printing, and even had a Procreate 101 session.
  • We have been working with a group of awesome students from Te Puna Wai o Waipapa (Hagley College) on a special Career Pathways and Leadership programme. This term we got to hear from some awesome Kind Foundation staff about their roles, start talking about our own dream jobs and goals, and we even found time for an epic climbing session at the Adventure Centre!

 

What’s coming up for Kaiwhakatere?

The rest of our year is already looking pretty memorable with a bunch of events and activities planned along with our weekly programmes. The best way to stay up to date with us is definitely our Instagram accounts but if you’re really really curious we can share that the rest of our year will include…

  • More opportunities for young business owners in Christchurch with regular māketes, the delivery of some market-ready workshops, a very exciting conference offering, and other collaborative projects with the 4C Centre
  • More events that celebrate the creative talents of rangatahi in Christchurch (think fashion and film)
  • Heaps of hands-on volunteering out in the community, with our annual tree plantings coming up in Winter and then our beach clean up in Spring
  • Our annual leadership camp
  • Plus any other events, activities and workshops that our awesome taiohi dream up!