A marae-based initiative in Manurewa named "Taiohi Whai Oranga" is a finalist in two award ceremonies focusing on youth leadership and community impact.
Taiohi Whai Oranga is a finalist in both the organisation and individual categories.
The acknowledgment received by from the Ministry of Youth Development and the Auckland Council is recognition of the vision Taiohi Whai Oranga are striving to achieve for youth and families in the Manurewa and wider Counties-Manukau community.
Their work has previously gained recognition when the Project Development Manager of Manurewa Marae, Deidre Otene, was made recipient of the Vodafone Foundation's World of Difference Award last year.
The programme has now been running for three years and was nominated for the National Youth Awards run by the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Youth Development and the "I Am Auckland" Awards run by the Auckland Council and the Ministry of Youth Development.
The National Youth Week Awards will be announced today at a ceremony in the Parliament Banquet Hall in Wellington, and the "I Am Auckland" Youth Award winners will be announced on Friday 29 May at Eden Park in Auckland.
Also, Manurewa Marae and Te Wharekura o Manurewa recently celebrated National Anti-Bullying Day, or #PinkShirtDay, where a haka was composed to support the cause.
Marae staff, teachers and students were split into groups to do workshops on prevention of bullying, with some sharing their personal experiences to raise awareness.
The collective also raised funds through koha from the marae, and the wharekura holding a mufti day with everyone wearing their pink t-shirts.
The co-ordinator of the day, Kapi Peita says, "It was a kaupapa supported by all the tari at Manurewa Marae and also Te Wharekura o Manurewa."