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He Puna Marama Trust has launched a new initiative to help young people throughout Taitokerau make the transition from school to work or further education.
The trust unveiled Rangatahi Inc at an event on Saturday night that was also a fundraiser to send 20 students from its Te Kapehu Whetu charter school in Whangarei on an exchange visit to Chicago during the next school holidays.
Principal Nathan Matthew welcomed the presence of Labour MP's Kelvin Davis and Peeni Henare at the function, despite their party's opposition to charter schools.
He says they can see the trust's commitment to Maori education.
"Rangatahi Inc is an initiative to try to create a hub where we can look at best ways to create pathways for Maori youth across Te Taitokerau, not just from our school, into the next step in their life whether it be trade training, university, an apprenticeship, whatever it may be," Dr Matthew says.
He says an aim of Rangatahi Inc is to encourage young people to find reasons to stay in the region.
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