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Community Services

Ratonga Hapori

Community Services

Ratonga Hapori

Supporting Whānau, Strengthening Futures:

Supporting Whānau, Strengthening Futures:

FASD Guidance and Care

FASD Guidance and Care

At Tuhiata, we understand the unique challenges that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can bring to whānau. Our specialist support helps families navigate daily life, build understanding, and access practical strategies that empower both tamariki and whānau.



Through personalised guidance, workshops, one-to-one support, and whānau hui, we work alongside families to strengthen routines, communication, and emotional wellbeing. Our approach is grounded in Mana Motuhake, honouring the strengths and aspirations of each whānau while providing culturally responsive, practical tools to thrive.



We’re here to guide whānau every step of the way, fostering resilience, connection, and hope for the future.

Rangatahi

Youth Services

We see the potential and energy that our Rangatahi bring to the table, and we're committed to nurturing and empowering them to become tomorrow's leaders. By providing mentorship, guidance and growth opportunities, we aim to inspire and equip young minds to reach their full potential, driving positive change in both their lives and communities.

Youth Mentoring

Our programme involves matching young people aged 12 - 24 years of age with mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement as they navigate various aspects of their lives, including education, career development, personal growth, and community engagement.

Youth Mentoring

Our programme involves matching young people aged 12 - 24 years of age with mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement as they navigate various aspects of their lives, including education, career development, personal growth, and community engagement.

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu Counselling in Schools

Our role is to provide counselling support to tamariki to support their social, emotional, and behavioural needs. We create a safe and confidential space where tamariki can express themselves freely and work through any challenges they may be facing. Whether it's offering individual counselling sessions, facilitating group discussions, or collaborating with teachers and parents, we strive to empower tamariki to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu Counselling in Schools

Our role is to provide counselling support to tamariki to support their social, emotional, and behavioural needs. We create a safe and confidential space where tamariki can express themselves freely and work through any challenges they may be facing. Whether it's offering individual counselling sessions, facilitating group discussions, or collaborating with teachers and parents, we strive to empower tamariki to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Our Facilitators

Stuart Mathews

Youth Worker

Pierce Penewiripo

Youth Worker

Azalea Pont

Youth Worker

Anahera Penewi

Youth Mentor

We’re thrilled to celebrate over a year of Taihono!


Taihono, which means “to connect,” is our online Kaupapa dedicated to supporting Rangatahi in Te Hiku to navigate the digital world safely and positively. Our goal is simple: help young people put down their devices and reconnect with the world around them.

Through Taihono, Rangatahi can discover new interests, strengthen relationships, and engage in meaningful experiences beyond the screen. Our Kaupapa provides practical resources, guidance, and ideas that inspire connection, creativity, and personal growth.

Taihono actively tackles online harm—cyberbullying, misinformation, and harmful digital habits—by equipping Rangatahi with the tools to recognise, respond to, and prevent these issues. Together, we’re creating a safer, more supportive, and empowering online environment for all.


Te tika whakaora

restorative justice

Restorative justice in New Zealand courts is a process that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime or conflict by involving those affected, including victims, offenders, and the community. Instead of solely focusing on punishment, restorative justice seeks to address the underlying causes of the harm and promote healing and reconciliation.



1. Referral

Court-referred restorative justice begins when a guilty plea is entered and there are people or organisations identified as being harmed.

Once we receive a referral from the court our process begins. Prior to us making contact, sometimes your lawyer, police, or a victim's advisor may ask you about your thoughts on the possibility of Restorative Justice.

You can expect that our facilitators will; be responsive to your needs and concerns, make sure that you are entering into this voluntarily, give you the space to talk and will prioritise safety.

2. Initial Contact

Our process will usually start with an initial phone call from one of our Kaimahi. Our Kaimahi will briefly explain the next steps of the process and ask you if this is something you want to do. The RJ process is completely voluntary, and you may decline at any stage.

If both the person charged and the person harmed and our Kaimahi agrees it is appropriate to proceed further then the Restorative Justice process begins.

3. Pre-Conference

In the next stage of the process, our facilitator working with you will arrange a time to meet with you to prepare you for a meeting with the other party. We encourage you to bring a support person with you to this meeting.

The meeting will take place at a time and location that suits you. At this meeting, our facilitator will ask you about what happened and go over what might happen at a meeting with the other party. They will be preparing you for the meeting with the other party and assessing if it is safe and appropriate for a meeting to take place.

This is an opportunity to tell your story privately with our facilitators, information from this meeting is NOT shared with the other party or the court.

4. Conference

If you decide to continue to the next step and our facilitators assess it as safe and appropriate to do so, they will arrange for a conference meeting to take place. This is a supported conversation between the parties. Our facilitators will be there to guide you, and keep the conversation safe and on track. You can ask for the meeting to stop at any point. It will take place at a neutral location.

After the conference, our facilitators will write a report, which is a summary of what was discussed. The report may include quotes but is not a full transcript. At times we may audio record the conference but this is only to recall the key points of the conference in order to write the report. This is not available to either party and is deleted immediately after the completion of the report. You will receive a copy of the final report and a copy will also be sent to the Judge and legal counsel.

The Judge will read this report before sentencing and may refer to the conference report content during sentencing.

Our facilitators will also check in with the parties after the conference. This will usually be a phone call to see how you are doing, check on the progress of any agreements made in the conference and assist you with accessing further support if required.

Alcohol & Drug Support

Corrections Services

Our dedicated Clinical Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) team delivers specialist support for people engaged with Corrections, providing safe, professional, and culturally responsive care.

We understand the complex challenges that come with substance use and the justice pathway. Our approach combines clinical expertise with a Te Ao Māori lens, ensuring every person is seen for their unique potential, not just their circumstances.


Our AOD team provides:


  • Specialist assessments and treatment planning tailored to individual needs.

  • Clinical interventions that address substance use while strengthening wellbeing.

  • Group and one-to-one therapeutic support, guided by evidence-based practice and mātauranga Māori.

  • Collaboration with Corrections staff and wider support networks to create pathways for lasting change.


By focusing on both accountability and healing, our clinicians walk alongside participants as they address the impacts of addiction, rebuild resilience, and reconnect with whānau and community.

At the heart of this mahi is a belief that change is always possible, and with the right support, every person has the ability to restore balance and reclaim their future.

Te tika whakaora

restorative justice

Restorative justice in New Zealand courts is a process that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime or conflict by involving those affected, including victims, offenders, and the community. Instead of solely focusing on punishment, restorative justice seeks to address the underlying causes of the harm and promote healing and reconciliation.



1. Referral

Court-referred restorative justice begins when a guilty plea is entered and there are people or organisations identified as being harmed.

Once we receive a referral from the court our process begins. Prior to us making contact, sometimes your lawyer, police, or a victim's advisor may ask you about your thoughts on the possibility of Restorative Justice.

You can expect that our facilitators will; be responsive to your needs and concerns, make sure that you are entering into this voluntarily, give you the space to talk and will prioritise safety.

2. Initial Contact

Our process will usually start with an initial phone call from one of our Kaimahi. Our Kaimahi will briefly explain the next steps of the process and ask you if this is something you want to do. The RJ process is completely voluntary, and you may decline at any stage.

If both the person charged and the person harmed and our Kaimahi agrees it is appropriate to proceed further then the Restorative Justice process begins.

3. Pre-Conference

In the next stage of the process, our facilitator working with you will arrange a time to meet with you to prepare you for a meeting with the other party. We encourage you to bring a support person with you to this meeting.

The meeting will take place at a time and location that suits you. At this meeting, our facilitator will ask you about what happened and go over what might happen at a meeting with the other party. They will be preparing you for the meeting with the other party and assessing if it is safe and appropriate for a meeting to take place.

This is an opportunity to tell your story privately with our facilitators, information from this meeting is NOT shared with the other party or the court.

4. Conference

If you decide to continue to the next step and our facilitators assess it as safe and appropriate to do so, they will arrange for a conference meeting to take place. This is a supported conversation between the parties. Our facilitators will be there to guide you, and keep the conversation safe and on track. You can ask for the meeting to stop at any point. It will take place at a neutral location.

After the conference, our facilitators will write a report, which is a summary of what was discussed. The report may include quotes but is not a full transcript. At times we may audio record the conference but this is only to recall the key points of the conference in order to write the report. This is not available to either party and is deleted immediately after the completion of the report. You will receive a copy of the final report and a copy will also be sent to the Judge and legal counsel.

The Judge will read this report before sentencing and may refer to the conference report content during sentencing.

Our facilitators will also check in with the parties after the conference. This will usually be a phone call to see how you are doing, check on the progress of any agreements made in the conference and assist you with accessing further support if required.

Alcohol & Drug Support

Corrections Services

Our dedicated Clinical Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) team delivers specialist support for people engaged with Corrections, providing safe, professional, and culturally responsive care.

We understand the complex challenges that come with substance use and the justice pathway. Our approach combines clinical expertise with a Te Ao Māori lens, ensuring every person is seen for their unique potential, not just their circumstances.


Our AOD team provides:


  • Specialist assessments and treatment planning tailored to individual needs.

  • Clinical interventions that address substance use while strengthening wellbeing.

  • Group and one-to-one therapeutic support, guided by evidence-based practice and mātauranga Māori.

  • Collaboration with Corrections staff and wider support networks to create pathways for lasting change.


By focusing on both accountability and healing, our clinicians walk alongside participants as they address the impacts of addiction, rebuild resilience, and reconnect with whānau and community.

At the heart of this mahi is a belief that change is always possible, and with the right support, every person has the ability to restore balance and reclaim their future.

Our Facilitators

Crystal Harris

Restorative Justice Facilitator

Sasha Saies

AOD Practitioner / Restorative Justice Facilitator

Trey Henry

AOD Practitioner / Restorative Justice Facilitator