Partnership Projects
Partnerships are the backbone of Partners Porirua and help to create pathways for young people
Working Together
Our partnerships are all about kotahitanga; developing and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships between schools and businesses. We partner together to get the most from partnership activities.
Each of us learns about the other; the kaupapa, goals, business, organisation, culture, challenges and needs.
Our rangatahi have benefited hugely from the many projects that local businesses and organisations have undertaken with us. In the past, these have covered everything from emergency planning to careers days, legal advice and upskilling, and ‘Bikes in Schools’ experiences.
One of our long-standing partnerships is with Mitre 10 MEGA and Mana College, where students participate in a 10-week work experience programme. This helps them learn about how to get a job, being interviewed, CV writing, working in the store and customer service.
Another successful multi-layered partnership is with New Zealand Police. This partnership includes supporting Porirua rangatahi into careers with Police as well as being involved in the hugely successful CACTUS programme with Porirua College. This is designed to build positive relationships between Police, rangatahi, their whānau, and community partners.
We are also partnering with Police, Porirua City Council, Piri’anga Alofa Pacific and Community Services on the Mau Te Rongo navigator programme aimed at enhancing city safety at the Porirua railway station and within the CBD.
Plimmerton Rotary helps out at Aotea College with interview preparation.
City Partnership Programme
One of our ongoing collaborations is with Porirua City Council in support of its strategic priority to ‘keep tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of our city’.
We have coordinated many hui to help bring the youth voice into city direction and decision-making processes. These have included young future leaders advising the Mayor and councillors on what is missing from Porirua and what they would like to see changed.
Our ‘Rangatahi Voice’ initiative has been established in partnership with the Council, The 502 and Police. It aims to help improve communication with rangatahi and put their ideas into place, while also providing leadership opportunities for group members. Rangatahi have opportunities to work with Council to deliver city activations and youth events in the CBD.
The development of solid citizenship values including taking part and educating youth on the importance of enrolling to vote, voting and civic engagement is a significant area of focus for us.
“I have learnt a lot more about what Council does and I am definitely interested in being involved in more discussion with the Council.”
“It’s so encouraging to see students actively involved and using their voice, it’s important that young people are given the opportunity to do so.”