Tuakana and Teina (TNT)

Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai has provided a range of programmes over the past five years, leading up to an annual leadership academy camp in 2014.  The annual leadership camp which serves 45 children and youth each camp between the ages of 4 and 16, is based on cultural values, skills and leadership activities.  The purpose of the Academy camp, is to create opportunities for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) to develop leadership skills to support their personal goals and growth. 

Participants have come from a wide geographical reach of the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty areas as well as Waikato and includes Māori, Pacific peoples and non-Māori.

The long-term goal is that an annual leadership Academy Camp will continue to develop and inspire youth to become leaders and take their rightful place in their communities and society. Overarching the Leadership Academy Goals and Objectives are the cultural values of Whanaungatanga (Relationships), Manaakitanga (Self-care and Care for others), Tikanga and Kawa (Protocols, processes and the right way of doing things) and Tino Rangatiratanga (Empowerment).

The aim is for each young person to grow in appreciation, respect, and knowledge of oneself, their identity, learning, dance, education, supporting others and leadership skills.

Prior to the Annual Leadership Academy Camp, TNT started first as an Advisory group to services in 2008. From there, the group moved to helping other rangatahi advisory groups start up, and in 2014 the Leadership Academy Camp was birthed.

In 2018, a tamariki and rangatahi Council of 15 members was formed at the camp,  and their role is to give input into future camps and programmes run by Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai.