ABOUT US

 

 

Our vision is a connected community where all young people know their worth and potential.

​

Our mission is to walk alongside young people facing adversity, providing spaces and resources for them to connect, create and grow.

​

Our Core Values:

Aroha — We show compassion and care through inclusive actions, time, and presence

Tika — We act with integrity, doing what is right, fair, and just for all.

Pono — We uphold honesty, sincerity, and transparency in all we do.

 

Te Karanga Charitable Trust is a multicultural community organisation in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand). We have been building and strengthening our communities through creative and social initiatives since 2004. We provide free, safe, accessible spaces, activities, and resources for young people facing adversity. Through strengths-based mentoring, alternative education, and social programs, we nurture our participants creative interests and develop their confidence, resilience, transferrable skills, and sense of belonging. Led by a culturally diverse team of youth workers, artists, and community leaders with lived experience, we champion youth voice, leadership, and meaningful participation in community life.

 

Our commitments:

Kaupapa Whakaputanga - we acknowledge He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as foundational to Aotearoa (New Zealand). We recognise the authority and status of Māori as the indigenous people of this land and are committed to reflecting indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

For us by us - Our staff and governance team reflect the community we serve, with strong representation from youth, Tangata Whenua (Māori), and Pacific peoples. Most of our team began their journey as participants — a testament to both the strength of our programme and the lasting relationships it fosters.

Youth and community led - We listen, respond, and co-create with our participants and their whanau, ensuring our programmes meet their needs and aspirations. Over 80% of our team started as participants, showing the lasting impact of our work and the strength of the relationships we build.

​

Our Charitable Purposes:

(As stated in our trust deed)

​

a. To facilitate the promotion of a multicultural and diverse artistic and educational community. This includes mentoring and support for members of the community by our volunteers from diverse cultures and backgrounds;

 

b. To promote inclusivity, connectedness, participation, and to create an environment where youth of diverse ethnic backgrounds can come together and share ideas in a safe and understanding place;

 

c. To focus on nurturing career pathways, education and the arts;

 

d. To administer the premises as a venue for youth development programs, discussion groups, visual arts and audio arts and to facilitate its function as a meeting place, and in particular administer, and facilitate the use of the premises as a working art gallery, community radio station, practicing work space, community theatre and venue for films and documentaries;

 

e. To assist individuals and Charitable Bodies and Community Organisations to further any Charitable Purpose;

 

f. To liaise and work with other charitable organisations and groups with a similar mission.

​

g. To acknowledge and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to embrace Hapu, Iwi and Whanau of the land in which we live.

​