Tamaiti Whangai - Wellington: Update (9 March, 2010)

Maintaining Community Links

Finding productive ways to maintain meaningful engagement and links into identified communities continue to be a major focus of Tamaiti Whangai programming and activity.

The children and families (including their interests and passions) in Pomare, Taita, Naenae and Wainuiomata make up a significant portion of our focus and delivery. 

Partnerships with schools, colleges and other organisations in the community allow the access into key families that are targeted and included as participants on a variety of our programmes.

 

Whanau HEHA Touch Programme:

Working Group: Sergeant James Patea and Senior Sergeant Darren Russell (Police), Sisi Leafa (Whai Oranga), Bill Weepu (Epuni Boys Home), Simon Itula (Ministry of Health/Wainuiomata RL Club), Heston Patea and Johnny Lomax (Tamaiti Whangai Advocates).

Volunteers: Kura Weepu, Donna Laban, Leilani Va'a, Alannah Laban, Chrissy Te Reo, Jaydeen Karawana and Cathy.

Sponsors: HEHA (Nicholette Pomana Hutt Valley DHB), Hutt City Council (Aaron Marsh).

Venue: Wise Park, Wainuiomata

Duration: 30 October 2009 to 24 February 2010 (A total of 14 Wednesday evenings 5pm to 8pm)

Whanau Rule: Teams include 1 player over 40yrs, 1 child under 12 and 1 female on park all times.

Participants: 20 Teams (included targeted families) of 12 players or more (7 on park any one time).

Attendance: No rain outs and no defaults approximately 220 players plus supporters every week.

Format: This was a fun whanau comp which saw 50 year olds and 5 year olds playing on same team!!

Comment: We estimate that we fed around 300 people a week over the course of the 14 weeks (4200 in total) with fresh fruit and sausages cooked by the kitchen crew. A very successful programme which enjoyed consistent attendance every week. We anticipate the programme will run again in October 2010 through to end of February 2011.

 

TOONZ HEHA Clinics

Working Group: Bill Weepu Senior (Epuni Boys Home), Michael Sharpe, Billy Weepu, Simon Itula and Quentin Kepa (Wainuiomata RL) and Johnny Lomax (Tamaiti Whangai Advocate).

Sponsor: HEHA

Venue: Wise Park, Wainuiomata

Duration: 31 October 2009 to 7 March 2010 (A total of 6 Sunday mornings 0800 to 12pm)

Participants: 50 children (including targeted whanau) mainly Maori/Pacific (aged 6yrs to 12 yrs)

Attendance: The prgramme averaged 42 children at each of the sessions. (Some photos attached)

Format: Using the participants passion for Rugby League was the key to our engagement with whanau.

Comment: With whanau support we provided fresh fruit and a filled role for approximately 75 people every week (a total of 450) over the course of the programme. 

 

Mid Valley Athletics

Working Group: Julie Black (Te Hua Rangatahi Trust), Nigel and Hiko Davies (Tamaiti Whangai Advocate)

Venue: Naenae Park Naenae

Duration: 2 November 2009 to 15 March 2010 (A total of 17 Mondays 5pm to 8pm)

Participants: 72 children (including targeted whanau) mostly Maori/Pacific attended each week.

Format: Quality Athletics coaching and mentoring.

Comment: Julie Black and Hiko Davies have been driving force around the establishment of this programme for the childen and families in the Naenae area.  Hutt City Council very supportive.  Many of the children have been identified from previous programmes run in Naenae and the Pomare areas.

 

Futures HEHA Programme

Working Group: Bill Sharpe (Wainuiomata High School), Dave O'Sullivan (SB Maintenance), Temora Smith (Wainuiomata RL), Heston Patea and Johnny Lomax (Tamaiti Whangai Advocates).

Sponsor: HEHA (Breakfast) and SB Maintenance (Tee shirts).

Venue: Wainuiomata High School Gymnasium

Duration: Twice a week during school terms.  Approximately 50 sessions Tues/Thurs 0600 - 0800.

Participants: Are or at risk of truancy. 75% students from Wainui HS and 25% other schools.

Attendance: 20 students per week are attending.  Most identified by the High School.

Format: College students who trains under supervision, shower and have breakfast then go to class.

Comment: 90% of Wainuiomata truants traced back to a family known at the local League club. 2nd year of partnership with Wainuiomata HS to work with the students. 

 

Junior Rugby Leadership Clinic

Working Group: Norm Hewitt (former All Black), Piri Weepu (All Back), Murray Sullivan and Gus McMillan (Wgtn Junior Rugby), Darren Larsen (Hurricanes Secondary School Coach), Hiko Davies and Errol Weston (Tamaiti Whangai Advocates).

Volunteers: Dave Meaclem, Jim Miller, Yogi Rogers, Aaron Marsh, Ellis Meachen, Nigel, Johnno McMillan, Wi Kapua, Star Olsen, Scott, Michael Kainga, Darrell Clifton and John Studd.

Sponsor: HEHA and Turners and Growers

Venue: Te Whiti Park, Lower Hutt

Duration: 14 February 2010 to 7 March 2010  4 x Sunday morning session 0830 - 1130

Participants: 151 children aged 10yrs to 13 yrs nominated by Junior Rugby clubs and schools.

Attendance: 120 attended every week (see photos attached).

Format; A series of skills, fitness and public speaking/leadership activity.  Rugby focus programmed.

Comment: Turners and Growers (Martin Pupuke) again provided fresh fruit every Sunday for the participants (and a few adults!!). 8th year and one of our longest Tamaiti Whangai programmes.  We estimate over 1000 children have been through this programme now.

 

Summary:

Details of Pomare and Taita programmes to follow in the coming weeks especially in the Youth mentoring area. A busy period maintaining critical links in key communities.

 

Ken Laban

Tamaiti Whangai