There’s a quiet learning revolution going on in South Auckland. At the heart of this movement is a vibrant community hub designed to equip young Pacific and Māori – especially those Not in Employment, Education or Training, and school leavers – with the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.
The establishment of The Cause Collective’s South Auckland Creative & Tech Hub (SACTH) three years ago has been a game changer in developing and providing opportunities for young people in South Auckland to explore and access technology and to upskill for employment in the tech sector.
Muliagatele Danny Leaoasava’ii, better known as Brotha D, is the Creative Lead at The Cause Collective and the driving force behind the SACTH initiative. Brought on board to tackle the deeper issues preventing young Pacific and Māori talent from breaking into the creative and tech industries, he’s working to shift the narrative in a sector where Pasifika make up just 4.4% and Māori only 4.8% of tech roles.
Danny’s approach focuses on three key actions: raising awareness among young people about the vast opportunities in tech, mobilising both youth and their families to seize these opportunities, and creating clear, accessible pathways into the industry.
One of the standout SACTH initiatives is the Grass Roots technology course, a six-week programme designed to bridge the digital divide. It provides youth with access to computers and tech equipment that may not be readily available at home, giving them a crucial first step into the world of technology.
“We started our programme in late 2023, and to date we have had close to 100 young people through our Grass Roots Tech programme,” Danny says. “From there we were able to create a learning pipeline of young Māori and Pasifika to start more formal qualifications at Media Design School. Twelve graduates of the Grass Roots Tech programme have since gone on to undertake a Level 4 NZQA qualification.”
Every programme at the hub is delivered by experienced Pasifika education providers and tech professionals who understand both the industry and the community they serve. The learners – young people aged 16 to 24 who are outside the mainstream education system – find a supportive environment where they can explore new skills and opportunities.
The Cause Collective is focused on addressing the root causes of why young Pacific and Māori struggle to enter the tech and creative industries, while SACTH plays a key role in exposing them to opportunities and inspiring them to take the next step in their tech journey. “They get a taste of what’s possible,” says Danny, “and that spark of curiosity often turns into a real drive to pursue further opportunities.”
Danny says a crucial element of The Cause Collective’s approach is its pastoral care model, ensuring that young people aren’t just given opportunities but are fully supported to succeed. A dedicated six-person team at The Cause Collective provides a holistic support system, addressing the many challenges learners face and offering specialist guidance to keep them on track.
“Pastoral care is our point of difference for many of these kids. Our youth workers have lived experience in South Auckland, so they know what young people are experiencing in their lives. Many of our learners go back home to their families and friends and they talk about what they have been doing and how they have been supported and looked after. Our retention rate for young people starting on our programmes is around 90%, which is a great statistic.”
SACTH has also taken its mission on the road with a mobile tech trailer, reaching even more young people where they are. Last year alone, more than 2,500 youth engaged with the trailer, exploring technology and discovering new opportunities in the creative and tech industries.
“This initial visit can often be the start of their tech journey,” Danny says. “We put our young people at the forefront of the experience, which can often be the difference between staying in the learning space or deciding to give up. We give young people the confidence to know that they have something special to offer and help them to define and refine that.”
One inspiring success story is Rewa Pearson, a graduate of SACTH. His journey began by chance – while playing basketball at the local courts, he struck up a conversation with Caleb, a pastoral care worker at The Cause Collective.
“Rewa was really interested in what we were doing, so we invited him to check out SACTH,” Caleb recalls.
That invitation turned out to be life changing. Rewa completed the sixweek Grass Roots Tech programme, sparking his passion for digital creativity. He then completed formal studies at Media Design School, where he earned an NZQA Level 4 qualification and then enrolled in one of The Cause Collective’s other youth offerings, the eight-week Get Ready Work Ready programme, obtaining both his driver’s and forklift licences.
With his growing skillset, The Cause Collective secured Rewa an internship at a marketing agency. Caleb accompanied him on his first day to ensure a smooth transition, but thanks to SACTH’s real-world approach to learning, Rewa had the confidence and knowledge to excel from the start.
Now he’s taking his ambitions even further – studying for a degree in gaming technology, proving that with the right support and opportunities young people can transform their futures.
Beyond SACTH, The Cause Collective also runs the Get Ready Work Ready initiative, equipping young people with the skills and qualifications needed to step into the workforce or further education. Last year, more than 130 young people completed the programme, with more than half transitioning into employment, education, or training.
The Cause Collective is a proudly Pacific organisation with a leadership approach, values, philosophies, policies and operating procedures reflective of Pacific cultural contexts. The Ngā Vaka o Kāiga Tapu – Pacific conceptual frameworks – guide culture and practice and the organisation has three key goals:
- Healthy and Thriving Families and Communities
- Building Intergenerational Wealth
- Strengthening Identity, Social Cohesion and Wellbeing.