About Us

The Porirua Youth 2 Work Movement is a collective of like-minded people banding together to invest in our young people.

 

We are working together to help ensure businesses have the skilled staff needed for growth and to secure good employment opportunities for our young people.

Partners Porirua leads the Youth 2 Work Movement with the support of Porirua City Council and guided by the Porirua Youth 2 Work Advisory Group.

Partnering with businesses, educators and the community

We’re giving businesses, educators and the community the opportunity to get on board and make a real difference to our young people – and ultimately to Porirua City.

We’re entering into partnerships with those who put up their hands and make a commitment to our youth.

For businesses

It’s about making sure you have the skilled staff needed for the growth of your companies. Training young people now will avoid skill gaps in the future and help to futureproof your businesses.

For educators

It’s about working together to help ensure better outcomes for students that include good employment and a successful future.

For the community

It’s about young people participating in our city. We know that if they are earning or learning they will be helping to form a healthy community.

The team behind Youth 2 Work

The Porirua Youth 2 Work Movement is really gathering momentum.  We’ve assisted upwards of 80 employers with their recruitment needs and have helped more than 200 young people into employment. It’s time for you to get on board, make a difference and help shape the future of Porirua.

The Porirua Youth 2 Work advisory group provides guidance and support to the movement. Ranei Wineera-Parai, is the chair of the advisory group which includes representatives from:

 

  • Graeme Dingle Foundation
  • Ngati Toa Rangatira
  • Partners Porirua
  • Porirua Chamber of Commerce
  • Porirua City Council – elected members and officers
  • Porirua secondary schools
  • Tu Ora Compass Health
  • Whitireia New Zealand
  • Work and Income

Ranei Wineera-Parai

Chair, Porirua Youth 2 Work Advisory Group

Ranei has a passion for supporting the young people of Porirua to reach their potential.  She is a founding member of the Youth 2 Work Movement in Porirua and finds that supporting employers to connect with young people adds value to the workplace while growing potential.

Ranei is Ngāti Toa and was born in Porirua, so you can’t get more local than that. This is her home and she finds joy being surrounded by whānau, our beautiful environment and our vibrant community.

Michelle Robinson

Executive Director, Partners Porirua

Michelle has been active in supporting youth in Porirua since the formation of Partners Porirua in January 2000. Partners Porirua’s mission is ‘developing youth for the working world’ and as executive director, she was the driving force behind setting up the Porirua Youth 2 Work Movement in 2015. Her key role is building strong relationships with stakeholders to help the Movement grow.

Michelle lives by the beautiful Pauatahanui inlet and in her spare time likes being outdoors, walking and gardening.

e: michelle@partnersporirua.org.nz
m:  027 286 1919

Jacqui Edwards

Workforce Development Manager

Jacqui loves engaging with businesses and youth to ensure both can benefit from being involved with the Porirua Youth 2 Work Movement.

She enjoys matching up employers with work-ready young people and talking about work opportunities and expectations. Jacqui spent many years helping local people enter the workforce through her previous work broker role at Work and Income.

Taranaki born, Jacqui has lived in Porirua for 17 years and says she loves being part of this awesome city. Jacqui spends her time outside of work attending the Hosanna Baptist Church in Cannons Creek and encouraging her kids’ academic achievements, sport and other activities.

e: jacqui@partnersporirua.org.nz
m: 021 0260 8404

Arlyta Huriwai

Operations and Service Support Manager

Prior to joining Partners Porirua, Arlyta gained a wealth of experience in both the corporate and community sectors. As a previous Manager of the Porirua Employment Hub, she has supported many young job seekers into work and her efficient manner along with a sense of humour helps keep the busy team on track.

Arlyta enjoys keeping up with her four children and eight grandchildren, often travelling weekends to visit. Her other favourite pastimes are flax weaving (raranga) and photography.

e: arlyta@partnersporirua.org.nz
t: 04 237 1099

Salā Henry Samia

Project Lead – Youth Services

Henry is Project Lead at Partners Porirua and has been with the organisation since 2008.    Henry adds value to the team with wide-ranging experience working in both the education and government sector. 

Born and bred in Porirua, Henry is an active member of the community through church and networking groups.

Henry is passionate about being part of the journey of helping Porirua youth realise their potential.

 

e: henry@partnersporirua.org.nz
m:  027 229 9208

Youth Ambassadors

An enthusiastic group of youth ambassadors have joined the Porirua Youth 2 Work Movement to make sure young people in the community know what’s available to them and how to access this.

“It’s great to have young people out walking the talk in the community and demonstrating how they’ve personally benefitted from the Youth 2 Work Movement,” says Michelle Robinson, Executive Director for Partners Porirua.