This christmas break we have enjoyed whānau holiday time rather than Holiday program and enjoyed the beautiful weather and activities together. Pic at old Arahura bridge.

Thank you to all who donated gifts… with your generous contributions we were able to provide over 60 tamariki with presents for under the tree this year. Ka rawe!

So privileged to be able to capture special whānau pics including generations of aroha, respect and mana. A big thank you to Invoke Me photography for their vision, compassion and professionalism.

WestREAP and Te Hono staff got together for a lovely Christmas lunch at Lazaar Park hall last Friday. A great opportunity to wind up the year and celebrate all we’ve achieved in 2022.

Our dedicated Youth Pathways Advisors took rangatahi on an excursion to the Westland Heritage Park. Here they are literally picking a pathway!

The Te Hono o Ngā Waka tīma enjoyed two days connecting with each other, te taiao and Te Ao Māori courtesy of Mikaira Waugh at Tā te Manawa retreat at Lake Kaniere Lodge. Activities included music, meditation, bush walks, team-building, amazing kai, a spontaneous dip in the lake and other fun and games.

Over 300 people showed up at the Whakarauora Tangata Whānau day at Westland High School on the weekend. Everyone enjoyed free kai, bouncy castles, a magic show, moko kauwae, kapa haka and free giveaways. Participants said it “was the best day out we’ve had in ages." and “we should do more of these.”

On Friday we had the official opening of the Youth Pathways Office at 51 Sewell Street, Hokitika. Jax Hamilton cooked up some curry, there were cupcakes and giveaways and we collected donations to pass onto the Gumboot Friday Foundation. Thanks to everyone who came along to support us!

The Te Hono team meet regularly to learn te reo with kaiako, Miriama Mason. Today we learnt about the real place names of Aotearoa.

Our Youth Pathways Service Lead, Jenny Keogan, is thrilled with the progress of one of our young rangatahi, Robert Hotter. With support from the Pathways team, Robert has made tremendous progress, passing his Learners Licence recently after four previous attempts and gaining full time employment. Robert is working full time with well known and reputable local business ‘Henry Adams Contracting’, where he has the opportunity to work on dump trucks and diggers within the goldmining industry. We have great confidence he will show a willingness to take any opportunities this new role may bring. Great work Robert👍

The Te Hono School Holiday programme tamariki were thrilled to have celebrity chef, Jaxx Hamilton, prepare some delicious kai for us. A big welcome to the Coast, Jaxx and ngā mihi for ka rawe kai

Some of the Te Hono team modelling our new jackets. Looking swish team!