Careers

Great Potentials Foundation is a dynamic environment where, together with your colleagues, you will become part of one of New Zealand's longest standing charities and deliver impact across a number of communities.

We offer:

Vacancies

MATES Mentor (2023)

We are looking for reliable, committed mentors who genuinely want to see young people succeed and develop. Mentoring is a rewarding experience helping to guide young futures. It is also valuable work experience.

MATES has around 106 mentor positions to fill. Mentors need to be in tertiary study in Auckland, at least 2nd Year, with transcripts, references, and a clean Police record. We accept students from any tertiary institution. Mentors need to be available 2-3 hours per week for each young person they mentor. (Mentors can mentor students at more than one school; mentors are paid per student, per week).

For more information, please click here.

Meet our people

Click here to read more about Ada's story.

Click here to read more about Maddy's story.

Click here to read more about Ruzan's story.

Click here to read more about Ilaisaane's story.

Click here to read more about John's story.

Click here to read more about Glenda's story.

Click here to read more about Sophie's story.

Click here to read more about Smita's story.

Click here to read more about Emily's story.

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...