WHO WE ARE
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi is a Māori-faith based organisation located in Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand. The organisation is deeply committed to uplifting and empowering rangatahi (youth) and their whānau (families) through a combination of cultural, educational, and spiritual support. Guided by Kaupapa Māori principles, Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi integrates Māori cultural identity with faith-based values, creating a holistic approach to community development.
WHAT WE DO
At Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, we offer a wide range of programs and services designed to foster growth, resilience, and connection within our communities. Our initiatives include:
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Alternative Education: Providing tailored educational opportunities for rangatahi who may not thrive in mainstream settings.
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Youth Leadership Initiatives: Developing the next generation of leaders through culturally grounded and faith-based leadership programs.
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Whānau Support Services: Offering comprehensive support to families, helping them navigate challenges and build stronger, healthier relationships.
About Us
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi is a community-driven organization rooted in Kaupapa Māori principles, where culture, faith, and education intersect to foster positive change. Our mission is to empower rangatahi (youth), their whānau (families), and communities through a holistic approach that nurtures personal growth, cultural identity, and spiritual well-being.
Our origins trace back to the early 1970s as part of YFC international’s 'Youth Guidance' initiative, addressing the challenges faced by urban and rural Māori and Polynesian youth. In 1983, Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi began in Christchurch, initially offering mentoring programs that quickly expanded to include Boys and Girls clubs in several communities. By 1997, in response to the need for Māori leadership and culturally appropriate practices, Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi became an Incorporated Society, strengthening its connections with local whānau, community groups, and government entities.
Today, Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi remains committed to its vision of building resilient, connected communities. We employ a strengths-based approach, focusing on the inherent strengths of young people, rather than solely on challenges. As part of Te Ora Hou Aotearoa, a national network of like-minded organizations, we continue to evolve, forming new relationships and collaborations that uphold our commitment to Māori leadership and best practices in youth and community development.
For more on our history, click here. To read our vision, mission statement, and values, click here. To learn more about TOHATOHA click here.
Te Mauri
Our organisational value are at the heart of absolutely everything we do.
TANGATA WHENUA Indigenous Peoples Te Ora Hou is an indigenous movement it is primarily led by and for indigenous peoples. In Aotearoa this means Māori lead the organisation and are the priority group to be considered in all activities of Te Ora Hou.
KARAITI Jesus Centered We look at the way Jesus lived and how he related to those around him as the example of true humanity. We find healing, truth and commonsense in the ways of Jesus and our relationship to Him – a relationship we are open to sharing with others. We recognise that every person is created in the image of God and that the Spirit is at work in our lives, whanau and communities. We journey with others to realise both our individual and collective God-given potential.
MAHI TIKA Social Justice We are committed to doing what is just. We let the other aspects of our Mauri influence the things that we take action on. We work hard to promote non-violence and justice within all areas of our lives, and communities.
WHĀNAUNGATANGA Sustained Quality Relationships Good quality relationships provide safety, belonging and a sense of being valued and appreciated. Te Ora Hou aims to strengthen positive connections between rangatahi and their whanau, peers, school and/or work, and cultural and geographic communities. We encourage Te Ora Hou workers and rangatahi to be positively involved in each other’s lives outside of structured Te Ora Hou services and programmes. We encourage one another to live a consistent life by maintaining healthy relationships within our own whānau, neighborhoods and work.
ĀKONGA Learning Te Ora Hou values learning opportunities both structured and unplanned. We value learning for its contribution to the holistic development of self, whanau and community. We recognise that challenge is where growth comes from – and we invite others to constructively and honestly critique what we do. We want to learn from the experiences we share and make the learning available to others to learn from as well.
OHAOHA Generosity & Volunteerism Being generous with our time, open to interruption and inconvenience – Te Ora Hou supports people who volunteer their time and energy in the service of others without expectation of personal gain. We encourage the rangatahi we work with to develop similar values of giving and generosity with their time, talents and resources.
RANGATAHI, WHĀNAU & HAPU Young People, Families & Communities Young people are where our expertise is – the group we engage with most are rangatahi aged 10-18 years. We recognise that every rangatahi should be part of a whānau that cares about what happens to them – and we acknowledge the importance of strengthening healthy connections between rangatahi and their whānau, marae, hapu, iwi and communities. Rangatahi usually reflect the priorities and values of the communities in which they develop – We recognise that each rangatahi and the communities they are part of have unique strengths and needs. Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of rangatahi and the other significant people in their lives is an important process that we continue to support.
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