Mana Inc
The Lifecourse Science
For many rangatahi who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences it can be a challenge to develop lifecourse skills during childhood. Lifecourse science shows that what works for this group of young people is building trusting adult relationships, to model and grow their pro-social skills. It’s also important to work with whānau, community belonging and system involvement.
Mana Inc’s Te Rauora programme works intensively (every day over an average of 6+ months) with small groups of rangatahi in a culturally grounded and trauma-informed way. Te Rauora helps rangatahi build behaviours and beliefs that improve lifecourse outcomes, including cultural identity, self-control, pro-social skills and self-efficacy. Learn more about Mana Inc here.
In the words of Mana Inc founder, Kelly Peterson-Teariki (Ngāti Rangiwewehi): “If we treat them with the mana they are innately born with, they will start to see their own mana”.
Why We Invested
Mana Inc transforms the lives of rangatahi (age 14-20) through their Te Rauora programme. They have just completed their first two-year pilot with 100 rangatahi in the criminal justice and care systems, with early success in terms of reduced offending, and reengagement with education and training.
In the words of Iosefo Joseph Fa'afiu, MNZM: “As a grassroots organisation that has served the Papakura and South Auckland community for over 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside many initiatives, services, and community groups. While we’ve seen many come and go, Mana Inc stands out — providing a point of difference that is both needed and deeply valued. Mana Inc offers something other groups often lack: genuine connection with rangatahi and whānau, the courage to stand in the hard spaces, and the integrity to deliver what they promise. We’ve witnessed the way they walk with young people through complex challenges, reconnecting them with their identity, purpose, and future. Their work doesn’t just tick boxes — it transforms lives.”
Impact
There is a small cohort of rangatahi in New Zealand who missed out early lifecourse skills development, as a result of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, and are now involved in the criminal justice and/or care and protection system. Many social services and youth organisations find it hard to engage these young people, whereas Mana Inc has great engagement, is trusted by rangtahi, their whānau and social services. Mana Inc has the potential to increase its reach and influence to support other communities in Aotearoa.
Scale
How We Are Working Together
“The investment from the Aotearoa Lifecourse Fund is a powerful tohu of trust in our kaupapa. It strengthens our ability to empower rangatahi, grow our impact and contribute to a more equitable Aotearoa. We’re extremely grateful for this partnership and the shared vision it represents!”
Aotearoa Lifecourse Fund is providing grant funding plus capability building to support Mana Inc in two areas:
Impact: Support Mana Inc to conduct an external evaluation of the effect of Te Rauora on rangatahi’s lifecourse skills and outcomes
Scale: Support Mana Inc to secure funding to expand to a second site to test whether the impressive impact in Papakura can hold in other communities