Whakapakari Makes a Real Difference
Whāngarei Community Ministries has run two six-week ‘work ready’ programmes so far this year. Funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), feedback from participants has been so positive that MSD has requested the course be extended. Jules Badger spoke with Community Ministries Manager Teneille Johnson about the Whakapakari progamme, and also Tenielle’s own lived experience navigating the return to work.
Teneille Johnson knows from personal experience that Whakapakari programme works, and she wants others to have the same support that she did.
‘I was a single mum who was able to get her degree because I had really supportive people encouraging me along that journey. I know this works because it worked for me! Now I can give back by helping provide a supportive space for others to learn and gather the tools needed to navigate next steps. We’ve tried to infuse both education and empowerment into the course which is why we renamed it Whakapakari—work strengthening—because the course is not solely about getting people straight into work, it’s about supporting whānau (families) to address some of the possible barriers to working or studying.’
‘I was a single mum who was able to get her degree because I had really supportive people encouraging me along that journey.’
A supportive, therapeutic environment
On Wednesday 11 June, 12 people graduated from the Whakapakari programme—the second cohort for 2025, and the only course of its kind within The Salvation Army to date. One participant explains the difference it made in her life.
‘It gave me a valuable taste of what it’s like to attend a course with a larger group of people, which really helped build my confidence to get into tertiary education. I came away with practical skills like understanding how to cope with challenges and build resilience and the difference between being assertive versus being passive-aggressive or reactive. I now feel much stronger. I recommend it, not just for the skills like preparing a CV, interview prep, budgeting/financial awareness, communication and teamwork, but also for the supportive, therapeutic environment and the genuinely encouraging facilitators.’
The Whakapakari programme has been running for three days every week for six weeks, from 10am to 2pm.
‘We secured the MSD contract in December 2024, because we were able to leverage courses we are already running,’ explains Teneille.
The Whakapakari programme is comprised of several courses Whangārei Community Ministries offers such as the Positive Lifestyle Programme (PLP). Teneille explains that PLP is foundational to everything else they offer.
‘PLP gives whānau the opportunity to look inwards. And without looking inwards you can’t actually deal with those barriers to work.’
As well as PLP, participants take part in Oranga Kai (cooking class) and can choose to attend the Safe Me, Safe Family programme which is about supporting men (and some women) to break the cycle of violence. Money Moves covers budgeting and financial mentoring. Physical fitness is also supported with participants working toward the goal of comfortably completing a 5km loop track together. And, following the course, six months of pastoral care is offered.
Graduates of the Whakapakari programme in Whangarei
Participants buy-in is crucial
Course participants come from a variety of spaces, including MSD work seminars, but Teneille is passionate about Salvation Army referrals being the main bread and butter of the Whakapakari programme.
‘Supporting what’s happening in the lives of whānau already accessing our wider services is important to us. We take a lot of whānau from our Transitional Housing service, and we’ve had some really cool successes there. We also have 80 whānau connected to our foodbank and social supermarket space, so we filter that group for participants too. From the get-go we wanted some control over the referrals because the likelihood of the programme being successful is increased when trust already exists with whānau.’
Teneille knows that having buy-in from participants is crucial.
‘The thing is, there’s nothing worse than if people don’t want to be there. Without buy-in, it’s just not going to work. We are straight up with whānau about that. We’ve had some people say, “But I have to do it”. And I go, “Yep, that’s the reality, but if you don’t want to do it, it’s up to you. You still have choices.” But we really want people to choose to participate.’
‘Supporting what’s happening in the lives of whānau already accessing our wider services is important to us.’
Course facilitator Kath More loves seeing participants grow in confidence and self-belief. ‘Many started the programme feeling unsure and at first didn’t really join in, but with steady support and hands-on activities, they slowly began to open up. By the end of the course, people who were once shy were speaking up and taking part in group discussions. They became more aware of their strengths and challenges, and many had a positive shift in how they saw themselves and their future. The group built strong connections and supported each other, especially as many didn’t have support outside of the programme. That bond has continued even after the course ended. They left with new tools, skills and a stronger belief in themselves and what they can achieve.’
‘I believe everyone has potential, and it’s a privilege to create a safe, supportive space where they feel seen, heard and empowered.’
Facilitators who are overcomers
A total of 23 people have graduated from the two programmes completed this year. Teneille reports that two from the first group went into higher education and two into employment, while someone from the second group is already in employment.
‘I’m just so immensely proud of the team,’ says Teneille, who unequivocally credits the success of the programme to the facilitators.
‘You really do need to have specialised people in that space—both male and female. That’s crucial and I’m thrilled that we had so many tane (men) on the course. It’s also important to me that we have facilitators who also have the lived experience of overcoming similar challenges.’
Kath says, ‘I’m passionate about seeing people grow, thrive and walk in freedom. I believe everyone has potential, and it’s a privilege to create a safe, supportive space where they feel seen, heard and empowered. I do this work because I care about people learning skills and adding tools to their kete (basket), bringing out what is already within. I love when they leave with a belief in themselves and understand they deserve the best life they can have and that includes walking in freedom from their past.’
The results of the Whakapakari programme speak for themselves, and Teneille reports that MSD is seeing the value in the programme.
‘MSD has come back to us saying they’ve heard how amazing the programme is from participants and they’d like us to extend it. So now we are going to eight weeks which is really really cool.’
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