Supporting tamariki and rangatahi back into engagement.
Helping young people reconnect.
We work alongside tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and schools to understand what’s getting in the way of regular attendance and find practical pathways to help them re-engage
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Looking beyond attendance.
Behind prolonged absence are often challenges that extend well beyond the school gate. Family pressures, mental health, housing instability, financial hardship, bullying, learning needs, or caring responsibilities can all affect a young person's ability to engage in education. For many tamariki and rangatahi, getting to school isn't simply a matter of choice, it's a reflection of the circumstances they and their whānau are navigating.
As part of the East and Central Christchurch Attendance Service (ECAS), Te Tahi Youth works alongside Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, ACTIS (Aranui Community Trust), and Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka to support tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau back into education through a strengths-based, relationship-led approach.
Rather than focusing solely on attendance, our Attendance Navigators work alongside young people, whānau, schools, and community organisations to understand what's getting in the way and develop practical, sustainable pathways back into learning. Every young person is different, which means every journey looks different too.
For many families, attendance support also becomes the first step towards wider wellbeing. Through Te Tahi Youth's integrated model, rangatahi can be connected with healthcare, counselling, youth development, Career & Training Support, and social work, ensuring the barriers affecting education are addressed alongside the broader challenges a young person may be facing.
By working collaboratively with schools, whānau, and community partners, we're helping young people reconnect with learning, strengthen their sense of belonging, and build confidence for the future. Because improving attendance isn't just about getting back into the classroom it's about helping young people overcome the barriers that stand in the way of learning and creating opportunities for them to succeed.
Impact numbers:
92
Tamariki and rangatahi supported in our first six months.
2,700+
Students absent across the Christchurch East catchment in a single school term.
9
Schools supported directly by Te Tahi Youth through the Attendance Service.
Outcomes:
Building connection
through culture
As part of our Attendance Service, our Navigators organised a pounamu carving workshop for young people and their whānau. While the activity itself focused on creating a taonga, its wider purpose was to strengthen connections to culture, whānau and community, protective factors that play an important role in supporting engagement with education.
The workshop brought together several families who were all being supported by the Attendance Service. Two mothers, whose children were both on our attendance caseload, met for the first time during the event. Throughout the day they formed a connection and were seen talking together on several occasions. One mother later shared how meaningful the experience had been, explaining that she would never have been able to afford an opportunity like this. Being able to spend quality time creating a taonga alongside her son was something they would both treasure, and they left with a shared experience and a lasting reminder of the day.
The impact on one young person was particularly noticeable. At the beginning of the workshop he was quiet, withdrawn and unwilling to introduce himself to the group. As the day progressed, his confidence steadily grew. He began interacting with the other young people, participated more openly in the activities, and by the end of the workshop independently thanked the facilitators, something that would have seemed unlikely at the start of the day.
The workshop also created opportunities for new peer relationships. On the journey home, two young people asked if they could stay in touch and spend time together outside of the event, demonstrating the value of creating safe spaces where positive social connections can develop.
This experience reinforced that improving school attendance is about much more than simply getting a young person through the school gate. Building confidence, strengthening cultural identity, fostering positive relationships and creating a sense of belonging all contribute to improved wellbeing and engagement.
Providing culturally meaningful experiences such as the pounamu carving workshop helps young people and their whānau connect with themselves, each other and their wider community. These stronger connections build resilience, increase a young person's sense of identity and belonging, and create the foundations that support sustained engagement with education.