Partners Porirua was formed in 2000 as part of the Partners of New Zealand programme, a cluster of seven groups throughout New Zealand promoting the importance of relationships between the business sector and education.

The key visionary behind the programme was Elizabeth Deuchrass. She believed that businesses need and want to invest in the future of New Zealand – not in the form of dollars but in the sharing of time and expertise with young people with the education sector.

Jenny Brash, Mayor of Porirua at that time, oversaw the appointment of the first trustees and officially launched the Partners Porirua Trust. Michelle Robinson was the first (and only) staff member when Partners was set up – she went on to spend 20+ years at the helm only recently retiring.

Partners Porirua – connecting schools with businesses since 2000.

The focus during the early years was improving IT literacy. Among the first projects was a very nontraditional relationship where students from Mana College were asked to coach employees from New Zealand Post’s mail sorting division during the introduction of new computer technology.

A Mana College student at the time said:

“It was a great experience being the teacher, rather than the student. It was a real confidence booster, and it made me want to learn more. It took a while to get used to being around people older than me.”

New Zealand Post also provided work experience opportunities for Mana College students, which resulted in several students gaining permanent employment.

25 years on Partners Porirua is the only one of those organisations, set up by the Partners of New Zealand programme, that’s still operating.

By the numbers

Over the past 25 years Partners Porirua has:

• Supported 7,500+ rangatahi into jobs, education, or training
• Helped 6,000+ young people get their driver licences
• Delivered $5.90 in social value for every $1 invested in Drive 4 Life
• Coordinated 20+ partnership projects each year
• Recognised hundreds of outstanding rangatahi through annual awards