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Purpose Trust Pōneke
The Vā and whenua collective
Purpose Trust Pōneke is a Mental health charitable trust that creates purpose, belonging, and wellbeing for tangata whaiora through mana-enhancing therapeutic work experience opportunities.
Purpose through mahi.
Purpose through connection.
Purpose through whenua.
OUR KAUPAPA
Purpose Trust Pōneke is a newly established Pacifica and kaupapa Māori support-work-led organisation. We offer theraputic,whenua-based 'work experience' opportunities for tangata whaiora in mental health respite and acute inpatient wards.
Our initiative provides real-world, healing mahi that:
• Restores mana
• Builds routine
• Fosters belonging, value, and purpose
Our therapeutic work experience projects are executed through a Te whare tapa wha and fonofale approach
, ensuring they are holistically therapeutic, low-stress, and culturally grounded. Each project has been carefully designed under the guidance of trained professionals and cultural advisors within the mental health sector to ensure we are culturally aligned with our kaupapa.
Our Projects Include:
• Grave / urupa restoration & cleaning projects
• Community gardening projects
• Marae work projects
• Cultural reconnection activities projects
• Animal care & socialisation projects
• Community upkeep projects
Referral
We work closely with Te Whatu Ora clinical teams and act as a direct project referral pathway from acute inpatient mental health units:
• Te Whare o Matairangi
• Te Whare Ahuru
We attend clinical handovers and, at the discretion of tangata whaiora and clinical staff, can sit in on discharge meetings. This ensures participants engage in meaningful mahi at the right stage of their recovery journey and are discharged with the right tools to succeed.
Supporting Transition to Employment
All projects have a therapeutic and cultural aspect with unique engagement methods. Purpose Trust Pōneke can legally provide work or character references for tangata whaiora who actively participate in our projects — its our recognised way of supporting their transition into employment post-discharge.