Rakau Rangatira

Where does your journey lead? Do you have a plan of how to get there? You CAN achieve your goals with the right tools and support.

What is the Rakau Rangatira Programme?

The Rakau Rangatira programme is an Otangarei based initiative. This is an ongoing, long term programme designed specifically to help participants achieve their goals and aspirations.

Who is the programme for?

Rākau Rangatira is for participants currently residing in Otangarei and its wider communities who are currently receiving a benefit, have experienced difficulties with alcohol and drugs and/or Mental Health and are entering the workforce.

Rākau Rangatira was created to provide participants with the right support and resources to ultimately achieve gainful, paid employment.

This may include and is not limited to addressing alcohol and drug related issues, supporting Mental Health awareness and development and supporting participants to achieve health and social wellness.

We know that not everyone is ready for work right away. We work closely with work and income to support you in the best way possible.

What are the gains?

The gains are tools and strategies to help you be as ready as possible to achieve goals.

Build your self confidence
Improve your organisational skills
Improve your appearance/presentation
Review and further develop your CV/Resume
To begin a pathway for drivers licences
Ensure you have relevant documentation to participate in your development
Support and pastoral wrap arounds for your return to work journey
Advocacy and support as required

Who Will Be Teaching You

You will be supported by Kairaranga Rākau Rangatira (Programme Co-ordinator) and your Kairaranga Whānau Whaiora (Peer Support Worker).

You will be supported through one-on-one and group engagement with your Kairaranga.

The Rākau Rangatira team are able to customise the best programme for each individual. This might be regular one on one catch ups with one of the team or regular participation in group activities like our weekly scheduled wananga.

Where You Will Learn

All wānanga and activities are based at Te Hau Awhiowhio o Otangarei Trust unless otherwise arranged. Occasionally there will be activities that require us to travel away from our usual base but there will always be plenty of warning beforehand.

All members are asked to complete a PATH plan (planning alternative tomorrows with hope) which are facilitated by our awesome and creative kaiarahi team. Your unique PATH plan will help you and your support team achieve the goals that you identified in your PATH.

When The Programme Takes Place

Wānanga run Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2pm (except public holidays). Wānanga schedules will be posted online and a hard copy given to you when you sign up for Rākau Rangatira. The schedule will let you know what is happening each week and the topics we will be talking about.

Some members may also need to attend one on one sessions with one of the team and/or invited to participate in other activities additional to Thursday wānanga.

How To Sign Up

If you are receiving a benefit, live in or around the Otangarei community and have had difficulties with alcohol, drugs or mental health then you are eligible to sign up as a member with the Rākau Rangatira programme.

Get in touch by filling out your details on our contact page.