Reconnect’s success is built on four key pillars, or Pou. These Pou are at the heart of everything we do as an organisation. They are woven through each of our programmes, which are designed to help youth reconnect in positive ways with whānau, community, and society.
Respect, generosity and care for others
Ko te manaakitanga o te aroha ki te tangata te mea nui ki a mātou
Showing respect, providing care and acting with generosity are of paramount importance to us.
Relationships
Ka hono mātou ki ngā whānau me ngā roopu, kia pai ai te mahitahi
We develop relationships with whānau and organisations to work well together.
Guardianship
Kei te pumau mātou ki te tiaki pai i ngā iwi.
We are committed to taking good care of our people.
Unity
Ahakoa i ngā rereketanga o te tangata, ka mahitahi mātou i roto i te Kotahitanga.
Regardless of the differences of our people, we work together in unity.
Our History
2016
Establishment of Reconnect Family Services
Reconnect Family Services was founded as a kaupapa-driven charitable trust in Aotearoa, committed to supporting rangatahi and whānau facing significant challenges. With a focus on connection, healing, and whānau-centred care, the organisation offers specialised services, including Care & Therapy for emotional and behavioural distress, Kaitiaki Residential for safe, community-based care, and Supported Bail to guide young people through the justice system. Other initiatives, such as Korowai Mentoring – a tikanga-based programme, Vocational Mentoring, and Care Support Taituarā Tūhono, provide life skills, cultural identity strengthening, and aroha-based care.
2022
Involvement in the Fast Track Initiative
Reconnect joined Fast Track, a preventative, multi-disciplinary initiative designed to reduce offending behaviours among young people. Through youth mentors working collaboratively with government agencies and service providers, the programme offers tailored support and alternative pathways to addressing offending, ensuring rangatahi have access to resources that promote positive change and prevent further involvement in the Youth Justice system.
Establishment of Te Ara Tupu (Pathway to Growth)
Led by the Clinical Manager, Te Ara Tupu was created as a specialist team delivering education, employment, whānau support, and mental health services across Reconnect programmes. This initiative strengthens holistic, wraparound care, ensuring tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau receive comprehensive, tailored support.
2025
Launch of the Youth Holiday Programme
Reconnect was funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to deliver the Youth Holiday Programme, a crime prevention and youth engagement initiative supporting tamariki and rangatahi at risk of offending or involved in the justice system. Designed as a circuit breaker, the programme offers structured engagement, personal development opportunities, and pathways for healthier choices, fostering long-term positive outcomes.
Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) Fund
Reconnect went into partnership with Inspire, an Ōtara-based organisation, to support vulnerable whānau and rangatahi impacted by organised crime and illicit drugs. Through wraparound support, mobile family therapy sessions and cultural engagement, the programme strengthens community resilience and well-being while assisting participants in Inspire’s One More Block initiative.
2020
Development of Ngā Pou o te Oranga Practice Framework
We established Ngā Pou o te Oranga, a whole-of-organisation strategy designed to unify the way we work with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Developed through senior and operational leadership workshops, the framework is guided by three key principles: positive youth development, a systems approach, and whakapapa-centred design, ensuring operational excellence and meaningful impact.
2024
Expansion of Fast Track Initiative
To address the growing need for targeted, wraparound support, we introduced Enhanced Fast Track, offering intensive assistance for high-risk rangatahi and their whānau. Delivered under Oranga Tamariki Tāmaki Makaurau Specialist Team (Grey Lynn), this programme supports 8–17-year-olds facing behavioural challenges, youth justice involvement, or community risks, ensuring stability, intervention, and positive pathways.
Establishment of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
A significant milestone in youth empowerment, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was formed with members who are currently or were previously in Reconnect care. This initiative enhances youth voices in decision-making, providing advocacy, representation, and influence over policies and practices impacting youth in care. With a focus on best practices and mana-enhancing approaches, YAB ensures services remain responsive and relevant to the evolving needs of young people.
Addition of the Te Reo name Te Ope Pirita
As part of our ongoing learning of and commitment to te ao Māori, we added Te Ope Pirita to our name. Pirita is a supplejack vine that supports growth and provides protection in a forest. It is also used for a number of healing purposes in traditional rongoā.
Our History
2016
Establishment of Reconnect Family Services
Reconnect Family Services was founded as a kaupapa-driven charitable trust in Aotearoa, committed to supporting rangatahi and whānau facing significant challenges. With a focus on connection, healing, and whānau-centred care, the organisation offers specialised services, including Care & Therapy for emotional and behavioural distress, Kaitiaki Residential for safe, community-based care, and Supported Bail to guide young people through the justice system. Other initiatives, such as Korowai Mentoring – a tikanga-based programme, Vocational Mentoring, and Care Support Taituarā Tūhono, provide life skills, cultural identity strengthening, and aroha-based care.
2020
Development of Ngā Pou o te Oranga Practice Framework
We established Ngā Pou o te Oranga, a whole-of-organisation strategy designed to unify the way we work with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau. Developed through senior and operational leadership workshops, the framework is guided by three key principles: positive youth development, a systems approach, and whakapapa-centred design, ensuring operational excellence and meaningful impact.
2022
Involvement in the Fast Track Initiative
Reconnect joined Fast Track, a preventative, multi-disciplinary initiative designed to reduce offending behaviours among young people. Through youth mentors working collaboratively with government agencies and service providers, the programme offers tailored support and alternative pathways to addressing offending, ensuring rangatahi have access to resources that promote positive change and prevent further involvement in the Youth Justice system.
Establishment of Te Ara Tupu (Pathway to Growth)
Led by the Clinical Manager, Te Ara Tupu was created as a specialist team delivering education, employment, whānau support, and mental health services across Reconnect programmes. This initiative strengthens holistic, wraparound care, ensuring tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau receive comprehensive, tailored support.
2024
Expansion of Fast Track Initiative
To address the growing need for targeted, wraparound support, we introduced Enhanced Fast Track, offering intensive assistance for high-risk rangatahi and their whānau. Delivered under Oranga Tamariki Tāmaki Makaurau Specialist Team (Grey Lynn), this programme supports 8–17-year-olds facing behavioural challenges, youth justice involvement, or community risks, ensuring stability, intervention, and positive pathways.
Establishment of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
A significant milestone in youth empowerment, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was formed with members who are currently or were previously in Reconnect care. This initiative enhances youth voices in decision-making, providing advocacy, representation, and influence over policies and practices impacting youth in care. With a focus on best practices and mana-enhancing approaches, YAB ensures services remain responsive and relevant to the evolving needs of young people.
Addition of the Te Reo name Te Ope Pirita
As part of our ongoing learning of and commitment to te ao Māori, we added Te Ope Pirita to our name. Pirita is a supplejack vine that supports growth and provides protection in a forest. It is also used for a number of healing purposes in traditional rongoā.
2025
Involvement in the Fast Track Initiative
Launch of the Youth Holiday Programme
Reconnect was funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to deliver the Youth Holiday Programme, a crime prevention and youth engagement initiative supporting tamariki and rangatahi at risk of offending or involved in the justice system. Designed as a circuit breaker, the programme offers structured engagement, personal development opportunities, and pathways for healthier choices, fostering long-term positive outcomes.
Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) Fund
Reconnect went into partnership with Inspire, an Ōtara-based organisation, to support vulnerable whānau and rangatahi impacted by organised crime and illicit drugs. Through wraparound support, mobile family therapy sessions and cultural engagement, the programme strengthens community resilience and well-being while assisting participants in Inspire’s One More Block initiative.
Our vision
We want more for our young people.
Our mission
Empowering and connecting young people, families and community.
Our values
Tika
To do what is right and to act with authority, supported by, culture, customs, lore, law, policy and rules.
Pono
To act with integrity, which is supported by honesty, trust, truthfulness and genuine purpose.
Aroha
To act with care, which includes a demonstration of compassion, empathy and respect, especially for the mana of the person or subject concerned.
These are the values we aspire to live by and apply in the delivery of all our programmes.
Phone 09 926 5360 or email info@reconnect.org.nz
Individual programme contact details here.
8 Puhinui Road
Manukau
Auckland 2104
15 Puriri Street
New Lynn
Auckland 0600
PO Box 276182
Manukau City
Auckland 2241