As a part of the Murihiku Regeneration Collective, Mapihi’s focus is on connecting rangatahi Māori and their whānau to better employment and life opportunities as a part of the skills centre that is being developed. It will connect whānau to employers, educators, and industries that they may not have considered before.

Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation is supporting Mapihi to help create a space where youth can come and talk about the skills and experiences they have and their futures. Tokona te Raki, the Māori Futures Collective is also supporting this work.

“Our young people can feel very disconnected and find it hard to understand their place in the community. Pastoral support is a really big thing for our people down here,” says Mapihi.

Most school leavers in Mapihi’s community traditionally work in the fishing, food, and processing industries. Whilst Mapihi celebrates the high employment rate of her region, she is working to help the area’s young people open their eyes to other areas of employment and different opportunities.

Mapihi says, “Sometimes it’s difficult for our rangatahi to imagine beyond next week. We want to focus on the youth in our community because they are our future. How can we help make their future whatever they want it to be?”

As a region, Southland is bursting with potential and Mapihi wants Māori youth to be an integral part of its promising future. She wants them to feel that they can be a part of the positive change and know that they do not have to leave the region to have the kind of lives they want.

“Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation is giving us the opportunity to help our young people develop and follow their dreams. I’m so excited to have this support in ensuring our young people have successful and happy futures,” Mapihi adds.