Published January 20th 2026

Pre‑Trades Construction & Civil Works – Cohort Three Is Underway!

Our third Pre‑Trades cohort has officially begun their 10‑week learning journey with Rukuhia Te Mahi, marking another exciting step in whānau development toward independence, financial sustainability, and supporting our future workforce.

As we welcomed our new tauira with a warm whakatau, we reaffirmed our commitment to Te Pou Mataaho – Optimum health and wellbeing as a collective movement toward sustaining clarity, confidence, and the realisation of inner potential.

Our tauira are now settling into the theory component of the course, which includes Construction training delivered by Vertical Horizonz, along with modules designed to strengthen confidence, self‑awareness, and core employability skills.

Over the coming weeks, they will transition into their practical work placements with our trusted industry partners: Beulah, SABRE, Waiotahi Contractors, WSP Engineering, Glenn Glass, and Kiwi Span.
These placements play a vital role in professional career growth, offering hands‑on learning, real‑world experience to obtain BCITO Unit Standard credits. These credits are delivered by our qualified builder, through practical projects that contribute directly to our housing initiatives. The placements also provide opportunities to build strong industry connections that can lead to potential employment and future career pathways.

Published November 10th 2025

Rukuhia Tū Te Puehu Pre-Trades – Construction & Civil Works Cohort Two Has Officially Kicked Off!

We’re excited to announce that our second Pre-Trades cohort has begun their 10-week journey with Rukuhia Te Mahi. The programme launched with a whakatau to welcome our new tauira, who are now working through the theory phase-including Construction training with Vertical Horizonz and modules focused on employability skills.

Tauira: Tukirunga Perenara, Nesbit Maxwell, Kawharau Cullinan, Tyson Pira, Kahn Simonsen, James Withers, John Santo, Cypress-Maharaia Wiremu, Devon Struder-Mark

As the programme progresses, tauira will transition into work placements with our valued industry partners: Beulah, SABRE, Waiotahi Contractors, Glenn Glass.

These placements are a key part of their development, offering on-job training, practical experience to support their BCITO Unit Standards and the chance to build strong industry connections for future career pathways.

If you see them around the site, don’t hesitate to say kia ora and show your support as they take this next step in their journey.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved in supporting this kaupapa!

Published August 1st 2025

Honouring a Partnership for Generational Wellbeing
“In order to change, we must be the change”

These powerful words shared by a past tauira reflect the heart of a new initiative that marks a significant step forward for whānau, hapū, and future generations

Last week 7 tauira commenced their 1st week of the 4-week work placement and celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, establishing a shared commitment to deliver the Tū Te Puehu “Work Ready” Hauora and Social Kaiāwhina program, accredited with the Level 2 Health and Wellbeing certificate

Our tauira are in-placement within our iwi alliance providers, gaining hands-on experience that strengthens their skills, confidence, and connection to community

This development is not just about training – it’s about uplifting the wellbeing of our people. By working together, we ensure bespoke training that empowers tauira with the tools and confidence to serve their communities, and in turn, inspire change across generations

We acknowledge Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa for creating the space for this kaupapa to thrive, and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi for walking alongside this vision

Rukuhia ngā mātauranga, ka puta ki te ao.
Together, we move forward with purpose, connection, and a shared belief in the strength of our people

Published August 6th 2025

Tūkokeke Papakāinga – Trident High School Visit

This week, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa and our Rukuhia Industry Trades Coordinator hosted Future Academy Trades students from Trident High School at Tūkokeke Papakāinga. Our graduate pre-trades boys proudly manaaki the group, guiding them through their workplace and the He Tohu Kāinga housing development

As part of the visit, the rangatahi heard kōrero about the whenua, its history and significance, and how it shapes the vision for papakāinga housing—connecting whānau aspirations, tikanga, and pathways to home ownership

The students explored the completed homes, learned about the many trade fields available to them, and saw how careers in the trades can contribute directly to their community. A highlight of the day was hearing from former tauira, now employed as part of the He Tohu Kāinga building maintenance crew, who shared how their pre-trades journey and hands-on contributions to this very papakāinga led to real career opportunities

Ka mau te wehi – awesome mahi boys!