What we do
Our programmes & initiatives
We bring our mahi to life through two main strands. MADE to Lead is our community leadership pathway that supports and empowers people to grow, serve and make a difference in their communities. Alongside this, the Manaaki Collective is our wider network that connects and supports our graduates, volunteers and community partners — backing each other, sharing resources and taking action together to meet the needs of our community.
MADE to Lead
Community Leadership Programme
MADE to Lead is our community leadership pathway for people who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges but want to turn their story into hope and action for their whānau and wider community. Many of our participants have been on the receiving end of help and are now stepping up to lead change in their own communities.
This programme backs emerging leaders with training, connection and support, helping them build the skills, confidence and networks they need to turn their story into hope and action for their whānau and wider community.
MADE
“Make a
Difference
Everyday”
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We start each year with a new intake of people into Phase One, beginning with an intensive 4-session emotional healing programme (Flourishing People). Training happens fortnightly on Tuesday nights, between February to November with a graduation celebration in December. Every session begins with a shared meal - connecting over good kai is very important!
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The programme is designed for whānau who have experienced challenges in their lives but want to heal and grow as a person and make a difference in the lives of others.
You need to be:
aged 18+
committed to attending regularly
open to spiritual & emotional growth
recommended by one of our graduates or community partners
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Phase One (six months) is all about personal healing, growth and laying the groundwork for strong, community-led leadership. Participants get mentoring, pastoral care and training that supports mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Our programme is accessible for all learning styles – including people who haven’t finished school or who are neurodiverse – so everyone can build confidence, skills and strong relationships in their own way. There are also opportunities for practical group outreach projects and volunteering, so participants can put what they’re learning into action and make a real difference in their communities.
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Phase Two (12 months) is about growing confident, practical leadership and communication skills. Building on the personal growth of Phase One, participants deepen their spiritual maturity, strengthen their emotional resilience and step up into real-world leadership opportunities.
In this phase, they explore their unique gifts, develop public speaking and relational skills, learn different leadership styles, and build healthy habits to sustain their mahi for the long haul.
Alongside this, participants keep building strong connections with each other and the wider community, and take part in hands-on outreach and volunteering to grow their confidence and make a real impact where it’s needed most.
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Our graduates are people who are “Making A Difference Everyday”. They lead groups, mentor others, share their stories, and step into roles of leadership and service in their workplaces, iwi and communities. Many continue their studies, sit on Trust Boards, and become role models and people of influence for their whānau and wider community.
They are able to stay connected and supported through the Manaaki Collective, so they’re never walking the journey alone.
Click the [V] for details
Manaaki Collective
Community Support Network
The Manaaki Collective is our growing network of MADE to Lead graduates, volunteers, and grassroots community groups. It’s all about collaboration – working together to meet real community needs, sharing resources, and looking after the people doing the mahi so they’re not doing it alone.
The Collective offers care, connection and practical support for leaders and volunteers – helping prevent isolation and burnout so community leadership stays strong for the long haul. We share our tools and expertise to support the work of our graduates and partners through our Flourishing workshops and Caring for the Carers. We also provide a platform for people to share their Stories of Hope online, shining a light on everyday people who are making change happen every day.
Manaaki:
care
support
uplift
respect
Click the [V] for details
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Trauma-informed emotional healing and relationship workshops to help whānau get unstuck from their past.
Flourishing People – Building resilience and wellbeing after trauma
Flourishing Relationships – Strengthening relationship skills to reduce conflict and break cycles of harm
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Quarterly gatherings for community leaders doing high-trust, high-stress mahi in the community, helping “refill their cup”, prevent burnout and reduce isolation
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Mobilising volunteers and networks for community outreach events, crisis response, and practical awhi for whānau in hardship.
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Recording and sharing the real-life journeys of everyday people who have faced adversity and now lead change in their communities. When someone feels ready to tell their story, we help them record and share it on our platforms – inspiring hope and showing what’s possible for others walking a similar path.
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All kinds of manaaki groups are led by our graduates in homes and community venues all across Auckland. Whānau come together to share kai, find belonging, support, accountability and purpose.
Feedback from our community
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Healing from trauma
“It has helped me grow as an individual. Growing to know that trauma can be healed. That it doesn't matter what kind of trauma it is it can be healed in so many ways. Learning the different ways to heal trauma was the best knowledge i conceived.”
“I understand my past more.”
“It helped me to overcome my traumas and to forgive.”
(from some Flourishing People participants)
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Growing in confidence
“I am able to open up [my] home & use what I had learned to help others, I feel a lot more confident in who I am as a leader in a world filled with darkness. I feel a lot more confident to fellowship with other people as I was an extremely shy girl hiding away before, but I just love to be around like minded people to edify & learn from each other.”
(from a MADE to Lead participant)
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Help moving forward
“Doing the program has helped me in my ways moving forward in my journey and a better understanding of trauma and how it impacts my family.”
“I now feel much lighter in my spirit… Letting go of past hurt and trauma and the ability to forgive.”
“The entire programme has shifted something in my marriage.”
(from some Flourishing People participants)
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Grateful for community
“This course has given me community and family; there is so much more then words. I’m super grateful to have leaders that I can glean off and be inspired by.”
“I can say this program has really softened my heart. Being surrounded by so much kindness has made me want to grow, treat people better, and show more love.”
(from some MADE to Lead participants)
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Finding my purpose
“Flourishing People has truly given me a sense of direction. Through this journey, I’ve been able to recognise the depth of my past trauma and understand the areas in my life where I need healing. It has opened my eyes to my purpose; that’s why I’ve chosen to take part in the Made to Lead program—so I can better understand my purpose and where I am called to serve.”
(from a Flourishing People participant)
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Growing as a person
“This experience has brought clarity into my life, helping me reflect on what I need to work on and how I can continue growing spiritually and personally. I genuinely appreciate the people behind this initiative. Programs like this are so important, especially for those of us who feel lost but have a desire to grow...”
(from a Flourishing People participant)
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They are whānau
“The team that serves us and facilitate our sessions always deliver their very best and are people of honour, integrity, leadership, servanthood and most of all love. They foster a learning environment to bring out the very best in others and provide a great balance of teaching and a practical community lens to grow in leadership. I love them all, they are not only mentors and leaders in my life - they are Whānau!”
(from a MADE to Lead participant)
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Grateful for this space
“Sometimes, opportunities like this aren’t easily available, so I’m truly grateful for the space they’ve created for us to focus on our well-being, healing, and spiritual life. Being a free initiative makes it even more impactful. Hats off to everyone involved—you are doing an incredible job.”
“Absolutely perfect love it”
(from some Flourishing People participants)
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Warmth and kindness
“Great leadership and people who come together in aroha. The warmth and kindness is amazing! Having a whānau to pray with, to share together our struggles, our wins, our ups and downs, is amazing.”
“I appreciate the fellowship and community, ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’!”
(from some MADE to Lead participants)
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Learning and changing
“Its helped alot in my personal spiritual growth and who I am in my family as a mother, a wife, sister and daughter. Its been powerful.”
“My mindset feels way better. Now feel that I have a purpose, a mission.”
“Cutting through years of unhealthy thinking and making sense of a lot questions.”
(from MADE to Lead participants)
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I would have drowned
"I am so glad to be part of the Leadership Programme. I have faced so many different challenges over the recent months and feel stretched to meet so many needs and demands. The programme is consistent and that's what I like. It keeps me encouraged and focused. I honestly do not know what I would have done without the support, I think i would have drowned in my problems."
(from a MADE to Lead participant)
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A huge thank you
“Being in this community leadership programme has been awesome, so grateful. I am the quiet type – hard to open up to people, but this programme has made me feel safe, comfort, healing in myself and has driven me to push more to help our community. I am a carver and I’m planning to use my skills with the community. So thankful to be in this programme. Where I come from we say Atāwai wōlō.” (a huge thank you in Pukapukan)
(from a MADE to Lead participant)
Programmes & Upcoming Events
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Flourishing Relationships
FREE WORKSHOP for couples Saturday 9 May
Discover tools to better understand each other, reduce conflict and restore connection so your relationship can flourish.
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MADE to Lead 2026
FREE Community Leadership Programme
This programme backs you with training, connection and support, helping you turn your story into hope and action for your whānau and community.
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Flourishing People
Register your interest for our next workshop
A FREE emotional healing workshop for anyone ready to heal, get unstuck, and move forward. We will contact you when the next one is scheduled.
Let’s work together
Interested in connecting with us? Fill out some info and we’ll be in touch!