"Many question why they need to sit in a classroom when they can do online learning at home. But after the second lockdown, I was getting reports from principals saying that many 16 to 18-year-olds weren't even engaging in the online mahi that they had been given.
"Some of that is being fed from their whānau as well – adults are going out to work so want older students to stay home and look after the little kids. Or they can't afford to buy kai or rent so they're forcing these kids to go find some full-time mahi."
Faced with adult pressures, Rewi said many students grew up too fast and then felt too mature to sit comfortably alongside their peers in a classroom, prompting them to stay away.
To combat the problem, the charitable trust now offers three different programmes.
"Transition To School" physically collects students from home each day to ensure they attend English and maths, and a facilitator sits with them in class to offer extra support.
"Programmes In School" sees a facilitator run a hands-on class once a week on either sporting/fitness, culture, outdoor recreation or environment to help hold students' attention and encourage them to stay in school.
And the "Youth Disengaged Programme" is for those who refuse to attend. Home-schooling help is provided instead to help them earn NZQA credits or prepare them for employment or tertiary study.
BayTrust's $30,000 grant will be used to buy a new 12-seater van to transport students to schools in Murupara, Waiohau, Minginui, Ruatahuna and Kaingaroa, and to Te Ika Whenua Hauora's own learning whare.
Any surplus funds will be put towards hiring new facilitators.
"In terms of our outcomes so far, we've had 12 students fully re-engage back to school, which is awesome.
"We've had two go into fulltime employment, two into part-time employment, and we've identified two rangatahi as champion leaders, meaning they could maybe one day help facilitate our programmes if I can find some funding for them," Rewi said.
"These programmes are a success and are addressing a big need in our area. Nobody knows what this Delta variant and Covid will do, so we're anticipating we'll get more kids in our area who will disengage from school as a result."
BayTrust chief executive Alastair Rhodes acknowledged the extra challenge people faced living in isolated rural communities.
Access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities were often harder.
"It's inspiring to see organisations like Te Ika Whenua Hauora working hard on the ground and doing their best to help people in this way.
"Covid lockdowns have mentally challenged us all and the last thing our society needs is for rangatahi to walk away from their education.
"We're pleased to financially support this group and hope it will make a meaningful difference to the number of students who Te Ika Whenua Hauora can help."
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