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Book launch

Over the years I have written heart-warming stories about people dusting off dreams that they once had and making them a reality.  Well, this next story has been two years in the making and I am excited to finally be able to share it. Since I was a teenager, I have loved writing stories and I had a dream to one day publish a piece of my work.  Life got in the way and the idea kept getting pushed to the side as a ‘one day’ statement.  Well, that day has arrived, and I neve...

Long haul . . .

For one of the Transform staff obtaining a Defensive Driving qualification has been an arduous twelve-month uphill battle.  Amber has found the study extremely intensive and the criteria to qualify like jumping through moving fire hoops. She has now successfully completely all the necessary requirements to qualify. The last hurdle being to present all eight hours of the material to a mock class, on video call to her instructor in Wellington.  Enduring poor phone connections that d...

Positive Changes ...

For the Transform staff it is always exciting to hear when our clients share their stories of how they activated the tools they have been taught.  Especially once they go about their lives outside our four walls.  One gentleman shared how he was following someone on the highway who was going 70 km in a 100 km zone.  Desperately wanting to pass he decided to wait, remembering that the passing lane was coming up.  At the passing lane he was preparing to pass, and the person spe...

Learner's theory ...

There are many adults who need help to obtain a learner’s licence.  Driver theory is something that Transform offers free of charge.  We try to make the experience a joyful one as many people are already nervous before they come in the door.  We have found that there is a steady mix of internationals needing to qualify before their international licences expire or those who were never brave enough to try until now.  We like to spend about six hours with each client going th...

Community Gardens

Lending a helping hand is what some of the WOW ladies did recently.  The Community Gardens needed some attention and our ladies finally got a chance between rainy days to get their hands in the soil.  The gardens coordinator Lola was very grateful for the extra help whipping the gardens into shape.  Our ladies spent about two hours pulling weeds and raking garden beds.  It made a big difference and the women were happy they could help.  A value we have at Transform is gi...

Transform offers Forklift Programme

Good things come to those who wait is an old saying and one we saw come true recently.  Since before Christmas, Kim Jepsen Transform Aotearoa’s manager has been communicating with Driver Training NZ about adding a Forklift license to their repertoire of programmes to help individuals gain or maintain employment.  Once funding was sourced and secured, they set the date and with nine robust men and delivered their first Forklift programme in Tauranga.   The group got split in...

Whakahonohono Mai

The women’s Whakahonohono Mai empowerment programme begun with a blast.  There were ten ladies in attendance with five more expected to join next week.  From the introductions the one thing I noted they all had in common was to simply invest in themselves.  Something they have neglected to do with family taking a priority or toxic relationships tearing down their self-confidence.   It is saddening to see our beautiful women reduced to this point that they need to be ta...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the team at Transform Aotearoa. 2024 has begun and the staff are eager and ready to advance with those who seek life change and the chance to have a brighter future.  For Transform Aotearoa we are believing for ‘open doors in ‘24.’  We know there will be many doors of opportunity and we want to be ready to advance through them as soon as they swing open.  Our enthusiasm and curiosity are growing for what will be revealed.Our hope for you this year is that...

Merry Christmas from the Transform team

Transform has had a fabulous year.  Our greatest memories are all the people who have come into our space and allowed transformation to happen.  I know I have said it plenty of times before, but this is one of the greatest privileges we have in the life of this organisation.  Standing with and watching people at major crossroads in their lives, including us in the process and then celebrating their success is priceless.   Being available to be a listening ear, a shoulder...

Heavy Transport Class 4

Once a year we hold a dedicated Heavy Transport Class 4 course to help our Class 2 students move up the ranks in the trucking industry.   One of the gentlemen had an interview with Higgins one of New Zealand’ road engineering companies before coming to class in the hope of securing a position.  This opportunity has opened a door for him to invest in himself and better provide for his family, something he would not have been able to afford on his own.   He was very grat...

Love Bomb Putaruru

A lovely group of ladies gathered Thursday morning to prepare our yearly appreciation baskets of goodies for Fire, Police, Ambulance, Overdale Community Centre, the Library, and the neighbouring accountants office.  Multiple bunches of flowers were carefully wrapped in cellophane to deliver to the business community up and down Tirau Street.  Attached gift cards expressed genuine gratitude for the service they provide.  This is a way we can give back to the businesses for all they...

Gold Nuggets

This week in class there was a new lady who came to join the ladies program.  Like most individuals when they come through the door their body language tells us a lot and this gal was no different.  She was very closed and reserved until she was able to read the room.  I sat across the room from her and over the two-hour session I watched her face and manner change.  By the end of the session, she looked like she was going to burst with excitement from all the gold nuggets sh...

Ray of Sunshine

Danny shared with me about his trip back to the Hawkes Bay recently.  He was in a department store and the owner of the winery where our guys spent a couple of days digging him out of silt and mud recognised Danny from the other side of the store.  He made a bee line for Danny shaking his hand and then introduced his family.  He was still full of thanks and praise for the efforts that Transform made to them in their time of greatest need.  He commented about the time our guys...

Local program delivering HT Class 2

Recently Transform Aotearoa Charitable Trust held another two heavy transport programs helping several locals to get the necessary qualifications to enter the trucking industry.  This is an industry that desperately needs qualified drivers, and we are doing our bit to help the situation as best we can. We have noted that many who attend already drive HT vehicles without the appropriate documentation and want to obtain a license so they can continue up the heavy transport license scale....

Howard's Heart for a Transformed Aotearoa

https://authenticmagazine.co.nz/howards-heart-for-a-transformed-aotearoa/...

Hard to describe the devastation . . .

Five of our men from the life group went down to the Hawkes Bay to be muscle power shifting loads of silt at a winery.  Danny said it was hard to describe the devastation that met them when they arrived.  Logging trucks that were fully loaded tipped on their sides.  Cars on their roofs.  A house that had lifted off its foundations and went on an adventure 2 km up the road.  Water-soaked furniture piled into heaps beside the roads.  Homes destroyed, lives in tatters ...

Barista Course

Recently the Barista program took place.  There were 14 students that attended.  Everyone was very nervous about the class but as usual the amazing tutors had them laughing and enjoying the experience.  We had a couple of young teenagers in the group.  Both not wanting to stay at school, and this was one way to give them a little qualification to fall back on if they decide to follow through with their pans to exit high school early.  There was a mother daughter tea...

Class 2

We had ten eager students ready to launch into the heavy transport program. For many this is the first time they have had to study in years. I could see the strain in their faces as they prepared to go to the AA to sit the HT learners. Eight of ten passed while the others need more time before they go. One guy failed three time his confidence hit rock bottom and he was very hard on himself as we talked on the phone. I gave him heaps of encouragement and suggested he go back on Thursday afte...

Class 4 Truck Licence

Recently we ran our yearly class 4 program for four gentlemen.  They were all so appreciative of Transform offering this program to help them get ahead. We had a young guy who told his boss he was doing a free course to get his class 4 and needed time off to do it.  The boss got nervous knowing that he could get a better offer and leave his current employment.  He said having the class 4 will open all kinds of opportunities for him.  He is only 21 and said that over the ...

Merry Christmas!

Transform has had an amazing year and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support of the work we do here in this rural community.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We look forward to returning in the New Year ready and eager to continue to make a positive difference in our town....

Official handover

This week we had the official handover of the Transform van from Trinity Lands to us. A simple intimate occasion to honour our funders and the hard-working individuals who had a hand in making it a reality. About fifteen of us met down on the section beside the St John’s Hall, which is a far nicer place to gather than in the carpark behind our building. Thankfully the weather was good to us, and the proceedings happened without the need to dash undercover to escape the rain. Afterwards eve...

Many Hands

Our men’s life group was out and about recently helping to stack firewood rings for one of our locals who really appreciated the manpower to clear the felled tree on their property. Danny commented that ‘many hands made light work’ and everyone enjoyed the mahi without bursting their boiler. He said the berry muffins that were provided afterwards were an extra bonus. At the end they were thanked for their assistance only to have the men thank the lady in return for inviting them to come....

Whakahonohono Mai Graduation

A lovely group of ladies attended the recent graduation. Everyone had a chance to share about what session meant the most to them and why. Topics like self-control, love languages, whanau dynamics and who am I, were mentioned repeatedly. Our guest speaker Jade Hohaia and creator of our programs spoke to the ladies and encouraged them to build something that will last; build something you know you can; and grow something for the next generation. She said you are the fulfilment of your ance...

Heavy Transport Class 2

This was the biggest Class 2 group we have ever put through Transform with 12 on the roll.  With the increase in need for licensed truck drivers across the country these positions are being highly sort after.  I don’t have to advertise, as word of mouth saves me the trouble.  The roll is always full months in advance and some are happy to wait until next year just to secure a spot. On the first day we had 11 of 12 attend.  One guy broke his leg the day before, which put him...

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

We cannot believe how quickly the year is racing along.  With spring on our doorstep and the obvious signs of lambs and daffodils everywhere you look, it is no wonder Transform is full of life.  This term is our busiest with 15 programs being delivered.  From our personal development programs to Te Reo to parenting to drivers licenses to youth and Barista.  This well-oiled machine is in full forward motion.  The numbers have increased dramatically this term also.  O...