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Te Puna Oranga o Otaki

Manaaki AO Mentoring Program

Otaki Rangatahi
Manaaki Ao Otaki

Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki 

The purpose of Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki is to influence total wellbeing and positive change through:

  • Connectivity
  • Communication
  • Education
  • Community leadership
  • Enabling community-led aspirations
  • A Commitment to Rangatahi

Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki walks alongside our Hunga Rangatahi Program, a 12-week programme for young people aged 15 – 24 years focused on building confidence and gaining employment related skills.

The aim of the Manaaki Ao programme is to connect rangatahi with inspiring mentors who can offer consistent and relevant support to them during their search for and the start of their employment journey.

WHAT IS A MANAAKI AO MENTOR?

Our mentors are caring individuals who walk alongside our rangatahi to encourage them to reach their unique potential.

BENEFITS OF MENTORING TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

Mentoring can have a powerful and positive influence on the lives of young people as they grow and transition into adulthood.

EXPECTATIONS OF OUR MENTORS

Fosters a one-to-one relationship with their mentee, over a period of 12 months. The pair may work on several goals over this time frame.

  • Between sessions – agenda setting, tasks
  • Follow up email summary per session.
  • Listens actively and with interest.
  • Takes an interest in the mentee’s progress.
  • Co-manages the framework of the mentoring sessions with the mentee, while encouraging the mentee to take responsibility for the content.
Te Puna Oranga o Otaki

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MENTOR?

Effective mentors come from all backgrounds and levels of experience they can be of any age.

Some will have specific professional knowledge; others will have important life and world experience that is valuable for mentees.

Te Whare Tapa Whā

Holistic Mentorship using Te whare tapa whā model and Te wheke which encompass a holistic approach to wellbeing, taha tinana, (body), taha hinengaro (mind), taha wairua (spiritual) and taha whānau (relationships to family, community, and the environment). We see our rangatahi as unique individuals, who are in an incredible formative part of their development, and that they are part of a wider collective, taha whānaua, te hapori, te ao.

Kawa and Tikanaga 

Purpose – the purpose of our kawa and tikanga is to outline our commitment to our rangatahi, to mentors and Te Puna O Oranga Ōtaki.

Our kawa and tikanaga apply across all aspects of our Manaaki Ao mentorship program. 

Kawa 

We achieve this is through: 

  • Kotahitanga – Holistic Mentorship 
  • Utilising Te whare tapa whā model and Te wheke that encompasses a holistic approach to wellbeing.
  • Whakamana – Empowerment
  • We facilitate whakamana (empowerment) by Ngā Hononga – Connection.

“One good relationship can transform a life” Rhodes 2002

Tikanaga 

The mentor and mentee relationship is at the core of our Manaaki Ao program. All successful relationships adhere to a set of guidelines, to ensure reciprocal flow and have a kete of resources available to help navigate through those bumps that may surface on the journey together.

Mentorship is a two-way process. 

We expect our Mentors to: 

  • Volunteer to mentor a rangatahi for a 12-month or six-month period
  • Commit to a minimum of contacting rangatahi at least once a fortnight 
  • Provide weekly updates and catch-up log to Manaaki Ao Kaiarahi 
  • Attend monthly mentoring supervision and/ or hui with Kaiarahi
  • Ensure the mentee remains at the center of the relationship
  • Establish and maintain good rapport with the mentee 
  • Respect the rangatahi privacy, personal belief systems and culture
  • Follow the process of communication through the Kaiarahi
  • Abide by – Code of conduct 
  • Facilitate in a way that brings the mentorship to a graceful close at the end of the term

The Manaaki Ao mentorship program is completely voluntary. Fostering the commitment from our mentors and ensuring the relationship with rangatahi is moving from strength to strength. 

We expect our Mentees to:

  • Volunteer and commit to the 12-month period.
  • Commit to minimum of once a week, and an average /a total of four or more hours per month.
  • Abide by – Code of conduct.
  • Volunteer post mentoring feedback form
  • Feel supported in raising any concerns in the relationship with their Kaiarahi. 

Does this sound like something you want to be part of?  
Ka rawe! We’d love to hear from you.

Our application process:

  • Application – complete an application form
  • Interview – kanohi o kanohi, face to face, an opportunity to chat about who you are, who we are, answer any questions, 
  • Matching – Once your vetting form has come back clear, we can start matching you with a rangatahi. When we have a good match for you, we will arrange a meet and greet between possible mentee and mentor. If the match is aligned, then you are away. 

Nau mai, haere mai – welcome to our Manaakio Ao program as a Manaaki Ao mentor.