Tongan university students give back to the community through MATES

Samantha and Ane-Grace, who are both Tongan and studying at the University of Auckland, share their experiences as MATES mentors 2022. Read more
From Cameron: I wish MATES was available when I was at school

A MATES Senior mentor of 2022, Cameron, says she wouldn’t have made the mistakes she did at school if she had a mentor to show her different paths... Read more
Congratulations! MATES Senior 2022

Congratulations to all MATES Senior Mentees 2022, and a massive thank you to the MATES Mentors, teachers and whānau. Read more
MATES Corporate Sponsorship: Deuce’s Young Hearts Project

In September, Hester and Jess, two of our MATES Coordinators, joined the latest campaign of Merchant 1948 as the Deuce’s Young Hearts Project heroes. On the day, Hester and Jess had the chance to try on different Deuce shoes... Read more

MATES Stories

MATES journey for EDUC 200

Great Potentials Foundation has been working in partnership with the University of Auckland’s EDUC 200 course since 2012 on the MATES programme. This year, 33 students from the University of Auckland’s EDUC 200 paper will participate in the MATES programme as MATES Mentors... Read more

Introducing the MATES team for 2023

The MATES 2023 team is passionate about helping release the potential in young people. This year we will work with approximately 150 students from 11 schools across Auckland... Read more

Tongan university students give back to the community through MATES

Samantha and Ane-Grace, who are both Tongan and studying at the University of Auckland, share their experiences as MATES mentors 2022. Read more

From Cameron: I wish MATES was available when I was at school

A MATES Senior mentor of 2022, Cameron, says she wouldn’t have made the mistakes she did at school if she had a mentor to show her different paths... Read more

Congratulations! MATES Senior 2022

Congratulations to all MATES Senior Mentees 2022, and a massive thank you to the MATES Mentors, teachers and whānau. Read more

From Icao: Mentoring is about meaningful listening

MATES believes in the ecology of growth and positions itself in a very community-centric way. It is a familiar system that a lot of our Pasifika people have grown up with. Read more

MATES Corporate Sponsorship: Deuce’s Young Hearts Project

In September, Hester and Jess, two of our MATES Coordinators, joined the latest campaign of Merchant 1948 as the Deuce’s Young Hearts Project heroes. On the day, Hester and Jess had the chance to try on different Deuce shoes... Read more

MATES Junior Mentees explore their futures at “University for a Day”

The purpose of the event is to give our MATES Junior mentees an overview of what life is like as a university student and explore the vision they have for their future... Read more

MATES Mentees exploring the world of architecture and design

Sixteen MATES Senior Mentees from Southern Cross Campus, Waitakere College and Auckland Girls Grammar School had a wonderful time visiting Jasmax... Read more

Youth mentoring online workshop inspires young people

Recently, our two MATES coordinators attended an online workshop “Sharing the Kaupapa 3 Whai Wāhitanga: Active Youth Participation... Read more

MATES Mentor Induction 2022

Nearly 65 university students have started as our MATES Mentors 2022... Read more

MATES and Merchant Shoes – a Perfect Match

Merchant 1948’s Young Hearts Project has been partnering with MATES Junior since it was launched in 2014. This project was established to assist young people in our community, especially those who are struggling in life. Read more

Latest

From Emily: My role as a Team Leader at Papakura Early Learning Centre

When Emily was looking for an opportunity to live and work overseas, she thought teaching English was her only key – but she was wrong! It was ECE teaching that opened the doors for her to move to New Zealand.
Building confidence in English unlocks opportunities

For many immigrants arriving in New Zealand whose English is limited or non-existent, life can be confusing, overwhelming – and lonely. Takanini Family Service Centre partners with Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) to host a FREE English course that MIT facilitates. Classes are held on Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Takanini Family Service Centre.
Come into the Garden Hou Mai ki te Māra

Storybooks are an important element of HIPPY. In the last few months, HIPPY NZ team has developed and published four new storybooks for two-year-olds as part of the Ministry of Education contract to deliver the “Whanau In-Home Learning programme”.
From Maddy: My role as a MATES Coordinator

Maddy began with MATES as an mentor through University of Auckland’s EDUC200 paper. Three years’ on, she is one of our Junior and Senior Coordinators for the programme and loves the energy, creativity and positive impact mentors can have on students.

HIPPY Locations

Locations and contact details for HIPPY sites around New Zealand
Become a mentor

If you are a tertiary student in Auckland and are interested in becoming a MATES mentor, please complete the online application form...
HIPPY Programme

Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based early education programme working in communities throughout New Zealand. It empowers parents to prepare their 2 - 5 year old children for success at early childhood education (ECE) and school by fostering parents' skills and confidence as educators.
Community Funding

We are immensely grateful to all of our supporters who contribute in various ways to Great Potentials Foundation. Your generosity truly impacts the lives of children, young people and families propelling them towards brighter futures.
MATES Programme

MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) through its guided programme supports children and young people at year 8, year 13 and tertiary. Intervening at key transition points, it helps create pathways for success academically, emotionally and socially.
Contact Details

Address and contact information for Great Potentials Office and programmes
Our Mission

Working for and with children, young people and families to promote family function, relieve suffering, release potential, reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage...
Papakura Family Service Centre

Papakura Family Service Centre & Early Learning Centre has been providing valuable services to the families in Papakura since 1992. We provide an early learning centre, the HIPPY programme, social work and advocacy, counselling and Social Workers in Schools.
Takanini Family Service Centre

Family Service Centre Takanini opened its doors in January 2014. Our warm, colourful new Centre was established in partnership with the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, whose superb early learning centre provides a beautiful environment for the local children.
Family Service Centres

Our Family Service Centres assist the community with housing, food, health care, employment support and wellbeing services as well as offering early learning services, parenting programmes, playgroups, social workers in schools, counselling and more...