Iwi education manager Ngahina Transom is excited by the success of her rangatahi (teenage students) in a school mentoring programme.
Mokai Patea Services, in collaboration with Taihape Area School and led by Ngahina, provides a programme that supports, motivates and inspires students to achieve NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification.
"We want these students to have the opportunity to be empowered with confidence to achieve their desired aspirations. And I am very happy to say it is working," said Ngahina.
The programme runs at the school every week for two hours, from 4pm to 6pm, with a diverse range of workers and teachers talking to the students.
Each student is also allocated a "whanau champion", people in the community who have strengths with encouraging and enforcing positive values.