ADVERTORIAL
Joe James-Matthews is a Kaiārahi (navigator) for Te Mana Whai Pūkenga: a kaupapa Māori navigation service that supports whānau to become work ready, delivered by Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki.
Joe is part of a team that supports anybody aged 18 and above, living in the Hauraki rohe, to do training, look for full-time employment or upskill themselves.
Joe’s dedication to this kaupapa shines through in 21-year-old Carlaus, a self-confessed ‘trouble-maker’ hailing from South Auckland, who struggled with finding his place and his purpose upon moving to Hauraki.
“Growing up wasn’t easy…I was hanging around with the wrong crowd and was a bit lost really.”
He heard there was somebody who could help him, and was introduced to ‘Uncle Joe’. What started off as ‘a bit itchy’ in the beginning developed into a very strong relationship and it blossomed from there.
Carlaus has blitzed his way through the work-readiness programme: progressing through to his full driver licence with endorsements, completing wheels track and rollers, and taking part in the Poutama Mahi programme, which involves being introduced to employment and education opportunities available in his local community and further afield.
Joe has been there every step of the way, motivating Carlaus to get out of bed every morning, providing transport when needed, and showing unwavering belief in his young mate.
“We’ve become quite close, and I would consider him a friend now, not just a whānau.”
Through his engagement with the Te Mana Whai Pūkenga service, Carlaus has been encouraged to become a strong person, to forge new bonds with people in his community, and found the self-belief that he could turn things around for a brighter future.
With a refreshed CV, he landed himself a job as a security guard, helping him to support his young whānau.
“I’ve never looked back to the old me, never looked back to that past.”
For Joe, the most rewarding part of his mahi is his relationships with whānau.
“I just loving helping our whānau… that’s my only aspiration.”
To find out more about Te Mana Whai Pūkenga, contact our team: mahi@korowai.co.nz, call 0508 835 676 – option 4, or visit www.korowai.co.nz.
– Supplied by Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki
