Tupuranga Attendance & Engagement Service
tupuranga – a place to grow
horoeka – native tree also known as lancewood or pseudopanax crassifolius
ākonga – student
kura – school
kaiako – teacher
tamariki – young people / children
rangatahi – young people / teenagers
whānau – family
kaimahi – staff / worker
Tupuranga means a place to grow.
The Tupuranga Attendance and Engagement Service supports tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau to:
- Feel good and have fun at kura
- Connect with friends and the school community, and represent their kura with pride
- Experience a sense of belonging and feel valued and validated in their identity, language, and culture
- Succeed in learning and acquire skills to thrive throughout life
The Tupuranga logo was inspired by the young horoeka tree, symbolising the growth of ākonga and whānau. The native tree is known for its iconic juvenile form, in which it remains for 15 to 20 years.
Tupuranga is for all tamariki and rangatahi aged between 6 and 16 years who:
- have not attended school or kura for a while, or
- are not enrolled in a school or kura.
Tupuranga supports the 145 state and state integrated schools and kura in Waitaha (Ōtautahi, Selwyn, and North Canterbury).
Please note: Access to services that Tupuranga provides is through school based referral only. Tupuranga doesn't work with students who are currently excluded.
Tupuranga kaimahi engage with and work alongside each ākonga, their whānau, and community to:
- explore and reduce any barriers to school attendance
- offer a range of learning options
- encourage whānau based solutions for ākonga to return and participate, to learn, develop, and achieve.
We understand that there are many reasons why tamariki and rangatahi may not attend school.
Our kaimahi build a trusting relationship with you and your whānau, to explore together:
- why ākonga have not been going to school
- what individual ākonga aspire to do in their lives
- the options and choices available for learning and education
- opportunities to develop quality learning relationships e.g. between ākonga and kaiako
- wrap around support that meets the unique needs of tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau
- how to celebrate success for ākonga and whānau
- the information, support, and resources available to help whānau engage with the education system at all levels
The Tupuranga Attendance and Engagement Service is a collaboration led by:
All three community organisations have extensive networks and experience working with whānau to deliver whānau-led services and support.
Email: tupuranga@pw.maori.nz
Phone: 03 379 8001 or 0800 4 WHETU
Address: Level 1, 166 St Asaph Street, Christchurch 8011
Our Kaimahi
Kia ora, ko Tania ahau. I am the Tupuranga team lead. I have held a varity of roles within the education sector for the last 20 years, including with the previous attendance contract. School attendance is a passion for me as I am excited to awhi tamariki/rangatahi back into the best form of education for them. It is a privilege to sit with whānau and listen to their kōrero around the barriers they may face and how we support them through. I have a diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Services in Mental Health. I am employed by Purapura Whetu Trust.
Tēnā koe. Ko Dani ahau. He Tupuranga kaimahi ahau. I am European/Latin American by ancestry and have a multicultural upbringing. As a “foreigner”, I commonly experienced a sense of “not fitting in” and underperformed in primary school due to language and cultural barriers. My personal experiences with school challenges have influenced the way I understand people and the world today. To inform my professional practice, I draw from my vast array of experiences and my education. I have a BA degree in Education, a Master’s in applied psychology, and certificates in counselling, coaching and social work. I am passionate about supporting tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to develop their personal leadership, empowering them to be their authentic selves, develop and grow.
Ko Ngati Tūwharetoa, ngā hapū Hineuru, Ngati Kahungunu. Ko Pania Sepulona ahau.
Through my active participation in different educational systems, I have developed a passion for supporting students on the learning journey.
As a mother of three children who experienced the challenges of regular attendance at kura, I am perceptive to the hauora of both students and whānau.
Working in social services, I have seen the positive results of families having the appropriate support they need.
I look forward to working alongside families to give emotional and practical support and help build beneficial, trusting relationships between students, their whānau and their schools.
Tena koutou, ko Gemma toku ingoa. Ko Ngati Porou me te Whanau-a-kai oku iwi. I am a Tupuranga Kaitiaki at Purapura Whetu. Alongside this mahi, I am a Dance Tutor at a few studios across Christchurch. I have been a part of the youth work world since I was child and been working in it for the past six years. I do this work because I enjoy the process of assisting youth in their personal growth and seeing their potential unfold.
Kia ora, my name is Lesley Whellans. I am originally from Edinburgh, Scotland. I have lived in New Zealand for 20 years, having moved here to follow my passion for event horses. I now live with my family in rural Canterbury at the foot of the Southern Alps.
I was an Attendance Advisor with Te Ora Hou for almost nine years and am now part of the Tupuranga team through Odyssey. I am grateful to be part of the wider team who follow the same agenda in ensuring that we support students and their whānau to ensure they have a chance at an education and a bright future. I look forward to the challenges ahead and feel very blessed to be involved in the future of Tupuranga.
My name is Holly McNabb, and my background is a Diploma in Counselling and Education and a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Psychology. I have a passion for helping youth achieve their goals and overall wellbeing by supporting them with their education, whatever that may look like. I live in the North Canterbury district and love serving my community.
I have previously work in the Attendance sector, and am excited to be back and connecting with schools, whānau and community.
