A real trade
Twelve modules of practical barbering, from first scissor control to precision fades and client ready work.
Self Care & Hauora · Tauranga, Aotearoa
Growing knowledge,
taking root.
Tūranga Aiga empowers rangatahi through the barber's chair, pairing a real trade with hauora, identity and belonging. A pathway from the classroom to a career, grounded in Te Ao Māori.
Every young person carries potential. We help it take root through skill, wellbeing and whanaungatanga.
Ko wai mātou · Who we are
A trust built to lift up our rangatahi.
Tūranga Aiga is a charitable trust based at Merivale Community Centre in Tauranga. We deliver a hands on Self Care & Hauora programme through the barber's chair, teaching young people a genuine trade while nurturing their hauora, confidence and sense of belonging.
Our name means the standing place of the family. For many of the rangatahi we work with, whether Māori or Pasifika, the barber's chair becomes exactly that: a place of care, kōrero and mana. Rooted in Te Ao Māori and Pasifika values, we meet young people where they are and walk alongside them toward work, study or apprenticeship.
Hauora at the centre
Built on Te Whare Tapa Whā: tinana, hinengaro, whānau and wairua woven through every day.
Belonging first
Whakawhanaungatanga, tuakana teina and the Pasifika vā, the sacred space between us, create a safe place to grow.
A pathway forward
Career planning, financial literacy and tautua, service to family and community, that lead to work, study or apprenticeship.
Grounded in Māori and Pasifika values
- Aiga Family and belonging at the heart of everything.
- Vā Honouring the sacred space and respect between people.
- Tautua Serving others and giving back to community.
- Hauora Caring for the whole person: tinana, hinengaro, wairua and whānau.
Te hōtaka · The programme
Self Care & Hauora.
A structured 12 module journey delivered over the school year. Each day runs 9:30am to 3:00pm and blends practical cutting on the tools with wellbeing, reflection and real community service, closing with a public showcase and certificates.
12modules per course
3courses in 2026/27
18rangatahi supported
100%free to participants
A day in the programme
- Open Karakia, mihi & whanaungatanga
- Wellbeing Hauora, identity & reflection kōrero
- Cutting Hands on barbering & the cutting tracker
- Kai Shared kai, relationships build over food
- Close Journaling & karakia whakamutunga
Ngā reo · In their words
What it means to our rangatahi.
“Grateful for the vision Shanon provided.”
Kobe
“My strength is my confidence now.”
Carter
Ngā aratohu · The 12 modules
The full journey, module by module.
From building trust on day one to celebrating achievement with whānau at the showcase, every module weaves craft and care.
Te take · Why it matters
Meeting a real need for our young people.
of Bay of Plenty children and young people aged 0 to 20 are Māori, and our programme is designed to serve them.
Aroturuki Tamarikiof young Māori are not in employment, education or training, a gap our programme is built to close.
MSD researchrangatahi supported through earlier self care and hauora delivery in our community, the foundation we build on.
Community delivery, 2023of rangatahi who start with us complete the course, walking away with a real skill and their own barber kit.
Tūranga Aiga programme dataOpen to every rangatahi
We're grounded in Te Ao Māori, but our doors are open to all. Tūranga Aiga welcomes rangatahi of every culture and background, Māori, Pasifika, Pākehā and beyond. Diversity is our strength, and the chair is a place where every young person belongs.
“The chair is more than a cut. It's where a young person is seen, heard and reminded that they matter.”
Tūranga Aiga kaupapa
Ngā hoa mahi · Our partners
We do this together.
Tūranga Aiga works alongside trusted community organisations who share our commitment to rangatahi wellbeing.
Merivale Community Centre
Our home base and delivery venue in Tauranga.
Whai Basketball
Connecting rangatahi through sport, movement and mentoring.
Poutiri Charitable Trust
Māori health and wellbeing partner across the western Bay of Plenty.
Toi Ohomai
Supporting accreditation and vocational pathways.
Tautoko mai · Support the kaupapa
Fund a future through the barber's chair.
Every dollar goes directly into equipping and supporting rangatahi. Our programme is 100% free to participants, and funders and sponsors make that possible. Choose a level that suits you, or talk to us about a tailored partnership.
Gift a kit
$889
Fund a full professional barber kit for one rangatahi, theirs to keep and build a career with.
Sponsor a rangatahi
$3,900
Carry one young person through the full 12 module journey: kit, kai, materials and NZQA accreditation.
Sponsor a course
$23,180
Back an entire cohort of rangatahi through one complete course, from first cut to graduation showcase.
Any amount
Koha
Every contribution helps, going toward kai, materials, transport and the wellbeing support woven through each day.
Ready to give or sponsor?
Get in touch and we'll share our donation details, funding proposal and reporting, whatever your process needs.
Tūranga Aiga is a registered charitable trust based in Tauranga. A full programme budget and funding proposal are available on request.
Mō ngā rangatahi · For our young people
Keen to join? Here's how to enrol.
Our courses are free and open to rangatahi aged 15 to 24 in the Tauranga area. No experience needed, just a willingness to show up and give it a go. You can sign yourself up, or a parent, whānau member or support worker can reach out on your behalf.
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1
Get in touch
Email or call us, or send a DM on Instagram. Tell us a little about yourself.
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2
Have a kōrero
We'll meet you kanohi ki te kanohi, answer your questions and check the next start date.
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3
Come along
Turn up on day one. We'll sort your barber kit and welcome you into the crew.
Mō ngā whānau · For families
Questions whānau often ask.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The programme is 100% free, including the barber kit your rangatahi keeps.
Who can join?
Rangatahi aged 15 to 24 in the Tauranga area. No experience or NCEA credits needed, just a willingness to show up.
Where and when does it run?
At the Merivale Community Centre, weekdays from 9:30am to 3:00pm across a 12 module course. We'll confirm the next start date when you get in touch.
Is it just barbering?
No. Alongside the trade, we weave in hauora, identity and belonging, grounded in Māori and Pasifika values, so your rangatahi grows as a whole person.
Does it lead anywhere?
Yes. It's a pathway toward further training, apprenticeships and work. We connect rangatahi with our partners and support them into their next step.
How do I support my rangatahi to enrol?
Email us on their behalf, or encourage them to reach out themselves. We'll meet you kanohi ki te kanohi and answer any pātai you have.
Whakapā mai · Get involved
Help us grow the next generation.
Whether you're a funder, an employer offering apprenticeships, a community partner or a whānau wanting a place for your rangatahi, we'd love to kōrero.
- Email admin@turangaaigatrust.co.nz
- Phone 020 4071 4810
- Based at Merivale Community Centre, Tauranga
- For Rangatahi aged 15 to 24
