OUR HISTORY

For 19 years we have worked to help children, young people and families to flourish. We are now recognized as one of New Zealand’s leading agencies of social enterprise and innovation. Since 1991, Great Potentials has created the Family Service Centre model; introduced HIPPY- Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters – and established it in 27 communities; it has introduced MATES – Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme; and it has successfully advocated for the introduction of Family Start, now in 32 communities.

OUR VISION

Our vision is well-nurtured children within well functioning families, contributing to safe communities and a prosperous nation.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Our principles are to be solution focussed, working for positive change and acting early and cost-effectively to prevent later high cost negative spending resulting from educational failure, violence and crime.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to work for and with children, young people and families to:

• Relieve suffering
• Release potential
• Reduce disparities in NZ society
• Reduce crime and violence
• Break the cycle of disadvantage
• Promote family functioning.

 

Great Potentials works at critical points of transition:

• transition into parenthood
• transition into primary school (HIPPY)
• transition from intermediate to secondary school (MATES Junior)
• transition from secondary school to tertiary education (MATES Senior).

Dame Lesley on Q+A’s panel

CEO of Great Potentials, Dame Lesley Max, joined Paul Holmes and the Q+A’s panel on Sunday, 15^th August 2010.  Watch the full programme here from TVNZ On Demand.

One-stop shop to help families struggling to raise themselves up

Crystal Woollen, found her life changed forever after she became involved at the whanau centre in Papakura.  Read the New Zealand Herald article by Simon Collins here