Young leaders celebrated at 11th Te Taitimu Trust Big Camp
Te Taitimu Trust Founder, Zack Makoare and Unison Relationship Manager, Danny Gough with youth involved in the camp.
Around 70 rangatahi, 30 mentors and 50 helpers gathered for a prizegiving today to celebrate emerging leaders at the eleventh Te Taitimu Trust Big Camp with Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust.
The prizegiving followed a successful five-day camp at Waipapa-a-Iwi Marae on the East Coast, between Wairoa and Napier.
The annual camp was developed by Hastings-based non-profit organisation Te Taitimu Trust in 2007 to help youth realise their potential and support positive change in Hawke’s Bay communities.
Trust Founder, Zack Makoare said, “The annual camp provides an opportunity for us and our partners to engage whānau, and assist tamariki and rangatahi to learn leadership skills that will help them become contributing citizens to their communities.
“This year’s camp was about supporting Ngāti Pāhauwera mokapuna from various backgrounds and their aspirations for a better future.”
The young people learned skills such as water safety, rafting, swimming, kapa haka, art and sports. The camp also gave local organisations and businesses, including Unison, the chance to be involved with the programme.
Unison Relationship Manager, Danny Gough said Unison staff always enjoy getting involved with the camp and doing what it can to help make a difference.
“This is the second year we have been involved. We think the work the Trust is doing to support our youth across Hawke’s Bay is fantastic. These camps are helping to develop confidence, independence and leadership through teaching new skills and encouraging rangatahi out of their comfort zone. This kaupapa aligns with our own as an organisation.”
For this year’s camp, Unison partnered with Napier Port and Specialised Container Services to provide the Trust with a shipping container for transporting the camp equipment. Unison also provided mentor support to the rangatahi at the camp.