MokoBoys

Purpose

This initiative is around connecting our rangatahi and kaumātua in a purposeful and practical way. We currently have a team of rangatahi working and making a positive difference in their communities by helping local kaumātua with household jobs.

“Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati.”

“When a reed stands alone it can easily break, but when bound together it is unbreakable.”

- Nā Kīngi Tāwhiao

Background

MokoBoys is a rangatahi-led service offered by Toi Matarua. The initiative was created in response to research around COVID-19 and it’s negative mental health impacts on our rangatahi and kaumātua. Spaces where different generations usually came together, such as marae, were being used as testing stations etc. and this was only exacerbated by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023.

All profits from this mahi goes towards leadership and development opportunities for local rangatahi. MokoBoys is evolving & now available for the mahi listed below.

All workers are trained, mentored and supervised by local experienced tradesmen and kaumātua.

What we offer:

  • Lawn mowing

  • Gardening (planting, weeding, pruning etc.)

  • Māra kai

  • Window cleaning

  • Rubbish removal labour

  • Light household cleaning

  • Technology assistance

  • Kōrero

More info

Stories on MokoBoys and the massive impact their mahi is having on their community.

Meet our MokoBoys Kaimahi

  • Julia, Rangatahi Employee

    Tainui

    Julia, 16yrs, attends Napier Girls High School. Her interests are rongoā, fashion, beauty, photography and mahi toi.

  • Nikora-Curtis, Rangatahi Employee

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    Nikora, 18yrs, attended Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Hou. His interests are mātauranga Māori, waka ama, rugby, haka, and debating.

  • Materita, Rangatahi Employee

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    Materita, 17yrs, attends William Colenso College. Her interests are cooking, kapahaka and learning more about her Māoritanga.

  • Hikurangi, Rangatahi Employee

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    Hikurangi, 14yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interests are cooking and he aspires to become a chef.

  • Gracyn, Rangatahi Employee

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    Gracyn, 15yrs, is the captain at Shamrock Boxing. His interests are boxing and helping out the kaumātua.

  • Peter, Rangatahi Employee

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    Peter, 17yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interests are basketball and te ao Māori.

  • Precious, Rangatahi Employee

    Rongomaiwahine

    Precious, 16yrs, attends Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa. Her interests are kapahaka.

  • Te Whetu, Rangatahi Employee

    Tūhoe

    Te Whetu, 17 yrs, is a rap artist from Wellington. He wants to be a better rangatahi for the people in need because there is no one that is beyond the reach of change.

  • Te Mana Wairua (Neon), Rangatahi Intern

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    Neon, 13 yrs, attends Mangateretere School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys sports and gaming.

  • Te Kaea (Jarli), Rangatahi Intern

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    Jarli, 11 yrs, attends Marewa School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys spending time with whānau and gaming.