Investing in Our Rangatahi, Investing in Our Future

Our community is full of incredible tamariki and rangatahi.

They're creative, resilient, funny, thoughtful and full of potential. What they need isn't to be "fixed" or returned to a time long ago… They need opportunities. They need people who believe in them, welcoming places and spaces where they belong, and to engage in experiences that help them discover what they're capable of.

That's what Te Ariroa Evolutions Charitable Trust is all about.

We created the Trust because we could see the gaps. Too many amazing opportunities were happening outside of Ōpōtiki, while many of our young people faced barriers like transport, cost or simply not knowing where to start. We wanted to create pathways right here at home, where tamariki and rangatahi aged 8-18 could explore their passions, build confidence and develop skills that will stay with them for life.

Through our flagship initiative, Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā, we've already had the privilege of seeing young people step into opportunities they may never have imagined. They've explored podcasting, theatre, creative writing, publishing, environmental projects, holiday programmes, leadership activities, community volunteering and creative arts. Along the way, they've made friends, found confidence, discovered new strengths and started believing in themselves.

One of the things we're most passionate about is creating real-world experiences. We don't just talk about creativity, leadership or teamwork - we create opportunities for young people to live them.

This coming weekend is a perfect example.

Our micro-publishing company Ōpōtiki Horizons Press will be taking part in the 48Hour Film Festival, where they'll have just two days to write, act, direct, film and edit an original short film. Thanks to a scholarship from Film Bay of Plenty, we're able to take part in this year's competition. It's going to be a huge challenge, but it's also an incredible opportunity to build resilience, communication, problem-solving and teamwork while telling stories that matter. With more than 400 teams entering from across Aotearoa, we're under no illusion that the competition will be tough. But for us, the real prize is the experience. Every young person who crosses that finish line will have created something they can be proud of. 

We're still on the lookout for a space we can use as our production hub for the weekend. If you have a venue or workspace that could become home base for our team while they bring their film to life, we'd love to hear from you. 

And we're only just getting started. 

When Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā was just an idea finding its feet, the Māori Presbyterian Church welcomed us into theirs. They gave us a place where our tamariki and rangatahi could feel safe to explore who they are, discover what they're capable of and grow into the people they're becoming. A place where diversity is celebrated, differences are respected, and nobody has to earn their belonging. Everyone is welcomed exactly as they are. That's something we'll always be grateful for, and it's become part of the foundation of everything we do. 

Our vision has always been bigger than running programmes. We're working towards a future where Ōpōtiki has a permanent space for tamariki and rangatahi - a place where they can create, learn, connect, lead and simply know they belong. A place where opportunities aren't occasional; they're part of everyday life.

None of this happens because of one person or one organisation. It happens because of a community that believes our young people are worth investing in. Every volunteer, every funder, every local business, every whānau member and every supporter helps create opportunities that can change the direction of a young person's life.

Be part of the journey…

If you're wondering how you can support our kaupapa, we'd love to hear from you. Maybe you have a skill you'd like to share, a business that could sponsor a project, equipment you no longer use, or a few hours to volunteer. Perhaps you'd like to mentor a young person, provide a workplace visit, donate kai for a programme, or simply encourage tamariki and rangatahi to come along and give something new a go.

Building a thriving community isn't the responsibility of one organisation - it's something we must all do together. Every conversation, every act of generosity and every opportunity you help create tells a young person, "You matter, and we believe in you.”

When we invest in our tamariki and rangatahi, we're not just supporting the next generation. We're creating the kind of Ōpōtiki we all want to be part of - built on opportunity, connection, good wairua and the belief that every young person has something valuable to offer.

Ngā mihi,

Whaea Alex Le Long