Tomairangi the dew drops ...

Tu Tangata, Issue 32, 1 October 1986, Page 17

Tomairangi the dew drops ...

na TRACEY DAVID

TOMAIRANGI was formed in Rotorua in February of this year by a group of adults who were concerned about young peoples’ needs.

Ra and Sarge Te Ahuahu and Noeleen Matenga of Rotorua were the backbone of getting the group on its feet and overseeing that it was going to work.

They took in six teenagers between the ages 16-17, who live with Ra and Sarge in their 3 bedroomed home at Rotorua. Ra and Sarge undertook training the young teenagers in adolescent living skills so that they would be able to go into their own flats in the near future. Noeleen supervised the tourism side, seeing that all of the teenagers were trained in all aspects of tourism, from working in different positions at hotels and hosting tour guided trips around Rotorua.

Financial assistance was given to the Tomairangi by the Social Welfare Department, and the group was helped by other people in Rotorua who were also concerned about young peoples needs.

Ra said they had become tired of watching young people go down the ‘plug-hole’ due to lack of understanding from the bureaucrats and public who couldn’t see people for their true worth.

“The inflexibility of the Labour Department, the insensitivity of some of our top politicians and lack of understanding from some local councillors made us determined to show our young people they were worth something and that any dreams they had could become an achievement,” she said.

The teenagers from Tomairangi will be leaving the group soon to undertake their own flatting positions and pursue the careers they want.

PANIA Pohipi, 16, of Rotorua joined the Tomairangi group on an invitation by Ra. She had met Ra the year before while doing a STEPS programme, before the government had closed them down to be taken over by the TAP scheme. Pania found the STEPS programme wasn’t very good because everything was pushed into 6 weeks.

The programme consisted of three different sections: Tourism, Horticulture and Living Skills. She has found the Tomairangi group has given her confidence. She plans to find a job in which she will be able to travel.

“I don’t like being stuck in one place,” she said.

JACKIE Te Ahuahu, 16, of Rotorua had been at school achieving nothing, before her mother told her about forming the Tomairangi group. She left school to become one of the Tomairangi members. “I’ve found it really good, meeting new people from different countries. I get a lot out of it, confidence, how to run

a house and being independent,” she said. Jackie wants to be an airhostess in the near future, and is hopeful of experiencing some air hostessing while with the Tomairangi group. JACQUII Hessell, 17,0 f Kaingaroa said she’d probably be working in the bush if she wasn’t in the Tomairangi group. She had met Ra the year before while on a STEPS programme. Ra had promised to get another programme going but a better one, and told Jacquii to come back when the scheme started. “Being with Tomairangi you know you can support yourself and just keep on bettering yourself. We all talk and understand each other. We have group sessions at home and when you’re in trouble you sit on the ‘seat’ and take it all,” she said. Jacquii intends being a personnel

guide escort for tourists, and when she feels she is old and mature enough, she will go into social work. The other group members are: Vanessa Popeha, 17 of Auckland; Koona Timoti, 17 of Kaingaroa; Tania Miles, 16 of Okere Falls; Tania Hall (observer, recently joined the group), 16 of Rotorua. Some of the support group for Tomairangi are: Logan Hall - Riverholm/Management, Mita Mohi Maori Affairs, Maureen Marsh - Labour Department, Barbara McLennan Social Welfare, Don Bennet Te Arawa Trust and Bob Lowe. Due to Tomairangi’s achievements more groups will be starting in and out of the Rotorua district. Ra’s motto is: “Every mistake made is allowed because, after all we are all human ... as long as a mistake is not made time after time.”

A former street kid, Koona Timoti has a new hair cut and a new job. He’s exchanged a shock of auburn and burgundy dread-locks for a more conservative short back and sides, thanks to the Tomairangi Tourist Group. Of his new hair style Koona said: “I like it because it’s hoha when it grows, no moisture in it.” Something else new to Koona was his first taste of tour guiding at Rainbow Springs in April. “I was shakey and nervous,” he said. “I felt great,” Koona said, but he was glad when the tour was over. Seven months ago, the 17-year-old wouldn’t say boo to anyone. Koona was only five when he first went into the Kaingaroa bush with his pig hunter father. He loved birds, different trees and liked watching animals feed. However his love for nature was disturbed by a move to Rotorua. The change made him feel “stink.” When anyone introduced people to him he just gave them a look that “could kill.” “Some people don’t know how hard it is to talk when you come from the bush into the city,” he said. However he did talk to fellow PEP

and STEPS workers he became involved with. “We grew like chewing gum stuck to a tree,” he said. Koona met Ra and Sarge Te Ahuahu and Noeline Matenga who introduced him to the Tomairangi Tourist Group. The programme was set up to develop “living skills” and give young people an introduction to tourism. The four month course runs from Ra and Sarge’s three bedroomed home on Bellingham Avenue. There are five other teenagers on the scheme. “It’s hard at times,” Koona said. Household cleaning, if not kept up to standard can result in the offender being in the “hot seat.” He said the person is placed in the seat and “everybody has a say” about his or her behaviour. “I haven’t been in it and I hope I don’t end up in it,” Koona said. “You get hell.” He said the teenagers get told off but “most do what they’re told.” Koona said, “it’s cool after that.” “It takes the pain off your chest. “I used to have a lot of hate and noone to help bring it out.” He said Ra and Sarge had helped get rid of his anger and start a new life.