He aitua! Waipuke kau ana te puna roimata ki te uri o Ngati Te Maunu, Tongariro, me Hikurangi.

Haere atu rā ki te huinga kahurangi, 
ki te tītoko o te rangi, 
ki te ānewa o te rangi
Haere hei taonga mō te pō
Waihōtia mai ngā kupu akiaki, ngā wero, ngā hua hei taonga mō te ao

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Luke Crawford. Luke has supported Challenge 2000 as our kaumātua for over 25 years. Luke and Steph’s children, have been involved in various ways with the Challenge whānau as leaders and volunteers Our deepest condolences go out to Steph, Hutana, Abi and the extended Crawford whānau. We feel some of your loss and grief.

Luke will be remembered by us for his strong but gentle leadership and guidance. Challenge 2000, and the young people and whānau we serve, benefitted greatly from Luke’s compassionate and loving spirit. His generosity in sharing his guidance, knowledge, mātauranga Māori, life and encouraging us to strive to build an Aotearoa grounded in Te Tiriti has been extremely significant over a sustained period of time. He was there whenever we needed him. He was our go to, our compass, our encourager, our friend, our mentor. Luke helped lay the foundations of who we continue to become.

There are no words to adequately acknowledge the goodness of this man and the contribution he has made to the Wero Rua Mano whānau.

E Luke, hoki atu ki te Kaihanga
Ki te karanga a Hinenuitepō
Ki te pō nui 
Ki te pō roa
Ki te pō kāore he otinga
Ko te tatau o te pō i mua i a koe
Nō reira, haere, haere, haere.
E te rangatira, moe mai, okioki ai.

If you are interested in personal work and social work development, youth ministry and service, and developing your leadership attributes and skills, then we have a place for you!!

• Grow personally and professionally
• Attain a range of life skills
• Get a wider experience of Aotearoa-New Zealand, its peoples and cultures
• Gain a qualification in Youth Work

If you are under 20 years of age and want more life experience, an opportunity to serve and to be part of a positive active community, then contact us and apply for our Gap Year!

Applications for next year’s programme are now open!
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY!

Click the link above, or contact us at info@challenge2000.org.nz for more information

You are warmly invited to our September Movie Night Fundraiser at the Penthouse Cinema, Brooklyn Wellington.

A wonderful night out and all proceeds go directly toward funding programmes!

See the attached poster for more details.

Are you Year 12 or 13 and want to make a difference?

Join our Inspire Action evening this Wednesday 10th July!

See poster for details and contact info…

Saturday, 25th May | Event MC’d by Li’i Alaimoana
Performers include:  Tofi O Tama Tane, DJ Harpz, Mitchell Cheu, Jamie Macaskill, Harlan Antonio, Aaron Moe, Taita College Poly Club and many more.

Come along and support Youth Week and Challenge 2000!

For more info see poster

ANZAC Day is an important day in the life of Challenge 2000. Since we began in 1988 we have organised and attended events to acknowledge the ANZACS who have served since WWI and to commit to bring about a community, country and world of peace, hope and justice.

This year we have had a poetry competition from 5-12 year olds, an ANZAC Holiday programme and are offering two Remembrance events of April 25th.  At these events We will honour and remember those who served in war, conflict and peace and acknowledge the loss, trauma and sacrifices of all who left our shores and who stayed at home. We will also pray for peace today.

We will remember them: Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

See details on the posters

On the 6th of February, 3pm @ St Francis of Assisi Parish, Johnsonville, Challenge 2000 is running our annual Waitangi Day Event!

Come and learn about the history of Waitangi Day through our guest speakers and workshops, enjoy some kai, and learn about our history together!

See you there!

Christmas Service Day – Help others, paint cards, make decorations and more!

Advent Christmas Time out – Join us for carols, stories, decorations, plays and more!

This week four members of the Challenge whānau were privileged to be invited to the Cullen Breakfast, to listen to Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu speak about Te Ao Mārama and the journey of enlightenment in the justice system, as a response to repeated calls for transformative change.

I found Judge Heemi inspirational and much of what he described was what we try to do at Challenge 2000, in all the different ways we journey with our young people and whānau. It’s so important that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and understand what is happening, so they can fully participate in our sometimes complicated systems.  

It was great to hear from Judge Heemi the importance of loving what you do and having a dream and passion for what we study or do in our work and personal lives. Hard work and commitment makes any change possible. 

Although it’s the end of a really busy year I walked away with my tank topped up and ready to go. Kia ora Judge Heemi.

Petrina Foaese. Youth Worker