Skip Content
Tori-with-tauira

Tori Barton (second from left) with rangatahi

Give someone a fish, feed them for a day. Give them a fishing rod, feed them for a lifetime.

That philosophy has underpinned a trial Creations in the kitchen cooking skills programme for rangatahi offered by the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa youth services team this year.

The one-day programme – offered four times in Waihi, Morrinsville and Hamilton – has seen five rangatahi (female and male) on each course.

The programme was developed by Hamilton-based Te Wānanga o Aotearoa facilitator Tori Barton (26) of Ngāti Maniapoto. She found many of the rangatahi she worked with had limited life skills – such as cooking using basic ingredients – with clients asking for food grants often ending up spending money on not so healthy options, such as biscuits or takeaways.

“I thought it would be good if I could teach them how to buy enough ingredients to make them good meals for a week rather than use the funds on crap,” says Tori, a social sciences graduate who studied Māori and Pacific development, and sociology.

“It’s about giving them the tools they need to look after themselves better from a kai perspective by cooking affordable, whanau friendly meals with what they have.”

For example, classes looked at such options as making slices, smoothies and bliss balls using Weet Bix and a variety of chicken dishes, like making a curry in a slow cooker.

“The feedback from rangatahi has been very positive – they’ve really appreciated the skills we’ve taught.”

The trial has been carried out with funding support from the Ministry of Social Development. Tori is hoping to secure funding for running more Creations in the kitchen classes next year.

“It’s definitely something we want to offer going forward for our youth services clients given how much practical help they get out of the classes.”

 Back to news & events

Published On: 21 October, 2019

Article By: Stephen Ward



Other Articles

  • 24 July 2025

    Tamariki once were cherished

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Te Manawahoukura Rangahau Centre releases Taku Waipiataata, Taku Hei Tāwhiri, a powerful report calling for a revival of gentle, respectful Māori parenting. Discover how tūpuna child-rearing practices can transform whānau wellbeing and uplift future generations.

  • 24 July 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Evie O’Brien announced as Te Kura Toroa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates its 40th anniversary by bestowing chief executive Evie O’Brien with the enduring title of Te Kura Toroa. Discover the cultural significance of this new role and its reflection of leadership, kaitiakitanga, and Māori values.

  • 23 July 2025

    Māori musician's reo Māori journey leads to wānanga kaiako role

    Jordyn Rapana, known as Jordyn With A Why, shares her inspiring journey of learning te reo Māori to raise her tamariki in a reo-speaking home. From immersion study to becoming a kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, discover how music, whānau, and culture shaped her path.

  • 16 July 2025

    Keeping clean and kicking off a business through wānanga programme

    Kristin Adams turned her recovery journey into a business success through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Smart Steps to Business programme. Discover how education, support, and determination helped her launch Pinky and Co and rebuild her life with purpose.