The kaupapa and mandate for Te Ngākau Kahukura was developed through a collaborative process with rainbow organisations and youth groups across the country.
In 2018, we brought together a hui of rainbow community experts to think about how to address systemic issues that hurt rainbow people. In 2019 we started working with organisations and groups across Aotearoa to grow this work into a national initiative. Our organisation’s name was given to us by Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, along with a whakataukī that speaks to our work: kia puāwai, me puāwai.
Our work with the youth sector was initially informed by previous work that Ara Taiohi had undertaken with rainbow youth organisations and community leaders across the country. Te Ngākau Kahukura is held within the organisational structure of Ara Taiohi, in a partnership with rainbow communities.
Te Ngākau Kahukura would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the following funding bodies: Clare, Tindall Foundation, JR McKenzie Trust, and Foundation North. We also had establishment support from Ministry of Youth Development.
We would also like to acknowledge the many different community leaders and workers who have contributed to the emergence of Te Ngākau Kahukura, and the rainbow organisations who have been crucial to the development of Te Ngākau Kahukura and who are part of keeping us accountable to the wider collective vision.