Ngā Rangatahi Toa is a Māori-led, wahine-led organisation that stands with rangatahi who sit at the edges of mainstream education. Our work is grounded in social justice, Creative Youth Development, and a belief that every young person deserves to feel seen, valued, and heard.
We create environments where rangatahi can stabilise, reconnect, and imagine a future that feels possible. Our programmes blend creative arts, wellbeing practices, and kaupapa Māori approaches to help rangatahi build identity, confidence, and purpose.
Most of the young people who join us are close to leaving school, or are transitioning into Alternative Education. They come to us carrying trauma, cultural disconnect, or years of being unseen in the system due to learning difficulties. We journey with them over time, meeting them where they’re at. Our youth development team works closely with each rangatahi and their whānau, offering consistent support and a wrap-around approach that holds their whole wellbeing.
Our wānanga series, in school sessions, and our annual Manawa Ora theatre kaupapa give rangatahi space to grow real skills, strengthen relationships, and feel safe. These experiences help shape a sense of purpose that sticks because it is built through trust, creativity, and relational practice over time.
Ngā Rangatahi Toa is a place where rangatahi can breathe, feel safe, and step into who they want to be.
Our Journey
Ngā Rangatahi Toa was created by educator Sarah Longbottom, who believed every young person in Aotearoa should have the chance to explore their potential through education. While teaching in mainstream schools, residential settings, and Alternative Education, she saw too many rangatahi pushed to the margins. The loss of their potential was impossible to ignore, so she built a space designed to hold them, not lose them.
Leadership now sits with Executive Director Huia O’Sullivan. She brings deep experience in Te Ao Māori, youth development, and wellbeing. Her focus is simple. Create real opportunities for rangatahi to participate, create, connect, and see themselves as lifelong learners. Under her guidance, Ngā Rangatahi Toa continues to grow as a place where young people who are often overlooked can find value, direction, and a sense of their own future.
At Ngā Rangatahi Toa, we create safe spaces where rangatahi can breathe, settle, and reconnect with who they are. Our kaupapa is grounded in the belief that every person is creative and that Toi Māori holds a powerful pathway back to identity and belonging. Moana Jackson reminds us that every person has the right to dignity and safety, and our creative spaces give rangatahi room to experience both.
We use creativity and kaupapa Māori practices to rebuild confidence and trust. These spaces help rangatahi re-engage with the world around them and build confidence in contributing to their communities.
We work with schools and rangatahi to stabilise them and keep them connected to education. We also walk alongside rangatahi and their whānau to grow a genuine love of learning, shaped through culture, creativity, and long-term relationships. Our focus is on safe environments, strong identity, and opportunities that continue to grow them.
The journey our rangatahi make is made possible by the support of our incredible partners. Our extensive network of funding bodies, patrons, community organisations and business sponsors all share our vision of young people transforming their own lives through creative youth development, and have committed themselves to enabling the work of Ngā Rangatahi Toa. To join this group of innovative change-makers please contact huia@ngarangatahitoa.co.nz
