Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation is today celebrating another step towards an equitable future for rangatahi by supporting a new fund designed by and for Māori youth in Murihiku.

Te Ōhanga Tīwhera, a collaborative fund established to support the aspirations of Māori youth throughout Southland, was led by eight rangatahi (aged 14-18 years) responsible for distributing the funds. The group has chosen the recipients for individual grants and funding for projects that support rangatahi connecting with Te Āo Māori.

Two individual grants of $2,000 have been allocated to financially support recipients to visit their pepeha. Funds can be used towards travel, accommodation, food, koha, and taking a support person for the journey.

The rangatahi have also allocated Te Ōhanga Tīwhera, Contestable Fund for creative and innovative projects or initiatives that support rangatahi to connect with Te Āo Māori. The group allocated the following:

• Tuurama Trust – Rangatahi Zone, $25,000;
• Menzies College Whare Wananga Steering Group – Whare concept plans, $5,000;
• Active Southland – Rangatahi Leadership Group $18,200;
• Te Oriori Trust – Mau Rākau community programme $25,000; and
• Active Southland – Mau Rākau in schools, $19,800.

They have also allocated $10,000 to developing a trust to uplift Māori Sports.

Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation, supported this process with the understanding that rangatahi have a unique perspective on their community, understand the challenges they face and are deeply invested in creating a positive future. This was exhibited in the panel’s decision-making process and reflected in the recipients chosen. The rangatahi were given the power to decide the direction of the fund to help elevate the youth voice in the community.

“It’s awesome to see that rangatahi are now given the opportunity to participate in decision making because society is realising that we are the future,” says 17-year-old Mya Kairau, one of the decision makers.

“Being part of Te Ōhanga Tīwhera has confirmed that youth are more than capable of having a voice in large decisions. This kaupapa has instilled in me the ability to make decisions and speak up with confidence."

Head of Foundation Kirsty Buggins congratulates the recipients and recognises the mahi of the decision makers, saying Te Rourou is proud to help rangatahi make a difference in the future of their community.

“The rangatahi have been working hard, and we are so pleased to help them make this fund a reality.”

The name of the fund, Te Ōhanga Tīwhera, is a taonga gifted to the fund by the rōpū. Ōhanga is a nest where ideas are developed in a safe, nurturing space, and Tīwhera means to expand those ideas and opportunities. The eggs within the nest symbolise different streams of funding developed by the rōpū. Each funding stream prioritises opportunities for rangatahi within the takiwā to expand and grow their connections in Te Āo Māori.

Mya Kairau continues, “Te Ōhanga Tīwhera has widened our lenses as to what the problems faced in Murihiku are and how we have the ability to make a change".

The fund is proudly supported by Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation in partnership with Community Trust South, the Invercargill Licensing Trust Foundation, and Clare Foundation, who collectively believe rangatahi Māori are best placed to understand their own needs for support and cultural connection.