Minister hears from rangatahi at Waipuna

On Friday 26 June 2026, Waipuna Youth Services welcomed the Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health and MP for Waimakariri, to our centre at 349 Woodham Road, Wainoni.

Ngā mihi nui to the Minister, who visited to learn more about our team and the work they do in the community. We were privileged also to be joined by people who were supported by Waipuna’s services and have continued on in their journey of growth and development. Hearing directly from rangatahi was at the heart of the visit.

Wraparound support that works

Waipuna’s wraparound services include youth mental health counselling, parenting support and education, and Adventure Therapy programmes. Each service is designed to meet young people where they are, walking alongside them through some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Our 2025 Social Impact Report demonstrates the return on this investment: our reintegration services for young people engaged in the justice system return $15.44 for every dollar invested. That figure reflects not just reduced reoffending, but young people reconnecting with their whanau, completing education, entering employment, and building lives of meaning and connection.

You can read the full report at The Value of Hope for Community.

The voices that matter most

The most powerful moments of the visit came when rangatahi who have experienced Waipuna’s support spoke directly to the Minister. Their courage in sharing their journeys, and the immense growth they have committed to, far exceeds what many of us are called on to encounter. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.

A formal whakatau welcome was led by kaumatua Henare Te Karu, and the visit was attended by Kath Prins (General Manager Waipuna), Danielle Marra (Manager Young Parents), Dan Eastwood (Manager Community Development), Mohammad Zareei (Manager Health and Wellbeing), and Paul McMahon (Senior Project Worker, CAYAD).

We thank Minister Doocey for his time and genuine engagement with our people and the young people we serve.