Seventy young people from seven west Auckland high schools recently graduated from the Tula’i Pacific youth leadership programme.
Funded by the Whau, Henderson-Massey and Waitākere Ranges local boards, the programme has been running since 2012 and aims to provide leadership skills to Pasifika young people in Years 12 and 13.
Over three months to end of July, participants were involved in a range of activities and group sessions, including a community day in Avondale where they helped the homeless, painting the community centre and spent time with the elderly in the retirement village. In Glen Eden, they ran a sausage sizzle and provided entertainment for the community. They also had several other sessions including an open mic event.
Michelle Buchan, Tula’i coordinator, says the class of 2019 was one of the best.
“It was clear from the number of young people who wanted to be part of the programme that it is really valued.
“The feedback we have had has been really positive and has helped many of the young people to embrace the value in the community around them as well as developing life-long skills that will be utilised for many years to come,” she says.
