The problem
In one Christchurch community, dozens of young people aged 15–24 had slipped through the cracks — not in school, not in training, not in work. Without support, that gap tends to widen with every year that passes, taking confidence and opportunity with it. A kaupapa Māori community organisation wanted to change that story, but needed the right funding behind them to make it happen.
What we did
We worked closely with the organisation to shape a comprehensive funding proposal to central government, refining the document through multiple rounds to get the tone, evidence, and structure right — all while keeping kaupapa Māori values and voice at the heart of every page.
The outcome
Outcome details to be confirmed.
What it means for the community: a dedicated pathway back to employment, education, and training for rangatahi who might otherwise have been left behind — built on a foundation of cultural belonging, not just compliance.
ESNZ