MokoBoys

What is MokoBoys

Toi Matarua’s ‘MokoBoys’ initiative is around connecting our rangatahi and kaumātua in a purposeful and practical way. The MokoBoys team is made up of local rangatahi (youth) who provide local kaumātua (elderly) with free household services including tasks such as lawn care, gardening, cleaning, technology assistance and engaging in meaningful kōrero (conversations).


MokoBoys Story

The initiative was created in response to research around COVID-19 and it’s negative mental health impacts on our rangatahi and kaumātua. Spaces where different generations usually came together, such as marae, were being used as testing stations etc. and this was only exacerbated by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023. MokoBoys creates a space for intergenerational knowledge transfer and reciprocity.

All workers are trained, mentored and supervised by local experienced tradesmen and kaumātua.

More info: https://www.toimatarua.com/mokoboys


More info

Stories on MokoBoys and the massive impact their mahi is having on their community.

Meet the Rangatahi

  • Julia, MokoBoy

    Tainui

    “This mahi helps me to support my big whānau and buy the things I need and want”

    Julia, 16yrs, attends Napier Girls High School. Her interests are rongoā, fashion, beauty, photography and mahi toi.

  • Nikora-Curtis, MokoBoy

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    “This mahi has helped me to support myself as I step into adulthood”

    Nikora, 18yrs, attended Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Hou. His interests are mātauranga Māori, waka ama, rugby, haka and debating.

  • Materita, MokoBoy

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    “This mahi helps me to get things for myself”

    Materita, 17yrs, attends William Colenso Colege. Her interests are cooking, kapahaka and learning more about her Māoritanga.

  • Hikurangi, MokoBoy

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    “This mahi has helped me pay my fees for a leadership trip to Australia”

    Hikurangi, 14yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interets are cooking and he aspires to become a chef.

  • Gracyn, MokoBoy

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    “This mahi has helped me to pay my sport fees and be more independent”

    Gracyn, 15yrs, is the captain at Shamrock Boxing. His interests are boxing and helping out the kaumātua.

  • Peter, MokoBoy

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    “This mahi helped me to pay my basketball fees and save up for a leadership opportunity”

    Peter, 17yrs, attends Te Aratika Academy. His interests are basketball and te ao Māori.

  • Precious, MokoBoy

    Rongomaiwahine

    “This mahi gives me some pūtea to do fun things in the holidays with my friends”

    Precious, 16yrs, attends Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa. Her interests are kapahaka.

  • Te Whetu, MokoBoy

    Tūhoe

    “This mahi helps me to save up some money for my music career”

    Te Whetu, 17 yrs, is a rap artist from Wellington. He wants to be a better rangatahi for the people in need because there is no one that is beyond the reach of change.

  • Te Mana Wairua (Neon), MokoBoy Intern

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    "This mahi has helped me to learn about what it will be like having a job"

    Neon, 13 yrs, attends Mangateretere School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys sports and gaming.

  • Te Kaea (Jarli), MokoBoy Intern

    Rongomaiwahine, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou

    "This mahi gives me something fun to do in the weekends with good role models"

    Jarli, 11 yrs, attends Marewa School. He is interning, the next generation learning the ropes of MokoBoys. He enjoys spending time with whānau and gaming.

  • Amaiah, Pakaru Pānui

    Ngāti Raukawa

    “This mahi has helped me to buy my own photography gears”

    Amaiah, 14yrs, attends Napier Girls High School. She specialises in photography and filming. Her interets are photography, fashion, and sports such as netball, volleyball, dance and hockey.

  • Joseph, Pakaru Pānui

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    “This mahi helps me to pay for my sports fees and my car”

    Joseph, 16yrs, attends Flaxmere College. Joseph specialises in social media management and intervewing. He enjoys volleyball, basketball and is just an all-round good guy.

  • Vellyn, Pakaru Pānui

    Ngāti Kahungunu

    Vellyn, 13yrs, attends Napier Boys High School. He is a boxer at Shamrock Boxing and training to become one of our social media analysts and a familiar face in front of the camera.