Te Whangai Trust

Te Whangai Trust is Maori for "To Nurture" or "To Adopt".

We are a registered charity - A social and environmental enterprise that employs long term unemployed youth and people at risk. We are a pilot programme in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development our main goal in establishing the nursery was to assist at-risk people by employing them in a structured, safe work place.

Te Whangai Trust goal by utilising the talent of the at risk sector we grow and supply a variety of quality eco sourced native plants and trees. Our goal is to place each person back into the full time commercial market at the end of the program.

We work with each person on life & personal skills, job training and education which they can then utilise in the work place.

We are located overlooking the tranquil Seabird Coast in the rich, fertile lands of the Waikato. 

Mission Statement:

To create a sustainable, ecological, social and educational enterprise that supports and trains disadvantaged people who find it challenging to enter the labour market; By empowering people to break habits changing the intergeneration cycle and thus creating a better life for themselves and future generations.

Our Vision:

To have an environment where all members are treated with understanding, trust, transparency, and integrity are paramount. We address issues, not personalities our employees all participate in the social and economic life of the nursery – thus creating self-esteem, ownership, and a willingness to work with purpose and satisfaction.

The exchange of life skills is invaluable for all ages, regardless of ethnicity, religion and cultures. We instil common courteous towards one other creating tolerance and understanding.

To have all members participate with pride in the social and economic life of their communities.

Our Vision for New Zealand:

Te Whangai Trust vision:  New Zealand has built its last prison.

The Te Whangai concept has the potential to be duplicated throughout New Zealand, and evolve our preseTrust nt welfare system to do this we need to; 

• Reform the current welfare system. At present the system has enough resources to give struggling people money and housing, but it doesn’t address the behaviour or culture of our society.
• We need to address the intergenerational dependence on handouts and addictions to drugs, alcohol, often resulting in violence.
• Allow communities to take a bigger responsibility for their own - the struggling people in their midst. Everyone has input over the crime level in their communities through zero tolerance and addressing the needs of our people.
• To utilise wasted human resourceas and create a future for their children - for all New Zealanders thru social and environmental initiatives.
• By utilising our welfare system to work for the environment and honour the needs of the Kyoto protocol the monies spent have a double benefit.
• The economic value of employed people gives purpose, skills and benefits to the community. As well as serving our country by preserving the uniqueness of our native plant resources, reducing our carbon footprint and being true to our tourism catch cry of 100% pure.
• With increased broadband access, nonviolent offenders remain in the home and with strict supervision can live with their families and work at Te Whangai Trust.
• Technology allows required information of offenders where abouts so there is reduced need for incarceration at a cost of $90,000 per person. By utilising these monies Te Whangai Trust can employ 2 people and complete environmental objectives at no additional costs.

Developed by Te Whangai Trust enterprise trainees.