Te Whangai Trust

Te Whangai Trust is an eco-preneurial social enterprise that was established for two main reasons: to help address the social issues facing our welfare people; and to address environmental issues facing New Zealanders through restoration and wetlands planting to meet compliance and regulatory requirements. Our activity-based learning platform is a native plant nursery. Te Whangai participants have created and work in this nursery. Te Whangai supports them through advocating for them with agencies, sharing basic life and work skills, aspirations and whanau experiences, training them in plant propagation and planting techniques, undertaking NZQA qualifications. With increased skills, training, self-esteem and experience of employer expectations, Te Whangai participants move more easily into commercial sector employment. Education is for life. This model is a pilot designed to be replicated through New Zealand.