About

History

Te Kāhui, our ongoing creative expression programme for rangatahi in Corrections and underserved communities across Aotearoa, continues to create spaces to connect with inspiring young storytellers. The team is facilitated by award-winning creatives; Ruby Macomber, Sherry Zhang, Eric Soakai, and Phodiso Dintwe. With the support from Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage multi-year Creative Spaces funding and RFP funding through the Ministry of Justice, Te Kāhui have engaged with over 30 correctional facilities and community spaces, and served over 300 rangatahi in the past year alone. This included a series of wānanga held in different PHAB facilities, to engage directly with rangatahi that span a broad spectrum of disability. The engagement of non-verbal participants prompted our facilitation team to expand the ways they explored creative expression, from a solely written form to more tactile forms of expression, incorporating objects and materials to engage those less interested in traditional writing. This has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both participants and the facilitators. Further, Te Kāhui has been entrusted to lead the Corban Estate Arts Centre WORD-UP wānanga series for 2024. This kaupapa connects West Auckland rangatahi to diverse modalities of accessible creative expression. This year, Te Kāhui are excited to facilitate more frequent kanohi-ki-te-kanohi wānanga in Correctional Facilities as far south as Christchurch Women’s Prison.

te kapa ō te kāhui

Our vision

A future where every young person feels heard and valued through the power of storytelling.

Te Kāhui Creative Writing Programme is a non-profit project dedicated to empowering rangatahi through creative writing. We facilitate workshops in corrections and community spaces, helping young writers express themselves, find their voices, and share their stories. Rooted in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kaitiakitanga, we create inclusive spaces for storytelling and creative growth.

Our goals

Expand our reach to underserved rangatahi in Te Ika-a-Māui, and across Aotearoa.
To create opportunities for rangatahi to publish and showcase their work, ensuring their voices are heard.
Build a thriving creative community that connects rangatahi with mentors, artists, and supporters.
To ensure our mahi is decolonially informed, centering Indigenous knowledge and storytelling traditions.

Brief history

2019
Conceived in 2019 by young creatives Eric Soakai, Jorja Heta, and Zak Devey, as a response to the lack of opportunities for youth who were incarcerated to access the creative arts.
2020
Started in-person creative writing facilitation at Mt Eden Corrections Facility, later adapting to remote delivery through three exercise booklets due to COVID-19. Ruby Macomber joined in late 2020.
2021
The three-year funding from Manatū Taonga’s CARE Fund in December 2020 was a key moment for our team, enabling us to expand and strengthen the programme. Phodiso Dintwe joined in mid 2021.
2022
Michelle Rahurahu-Scott succeeds Zak Devey as Programme Manager, leading the final stages of ‘Taiohi Inside’, an anthology featuring prose and poetry from 21 rangatahi at Mt Eden Corrections Facility (2020–2021).
2023
Reach extended to Christchurch Women’s Prison, Tongariro Prison, and Spring Hill Prison. Riarn Richards joins the team as a part-time creative writing facilitator and social media manager. ‘Taiohi Inside’ book launch in December 2023.
2024
Ruby Macomber succeeds Michelle Rahurahu-Scott as Programme Manager and is later joined by Sherry Zhang as co-manager in August. Eric Soakai steps into the role of Facilitation Lead, while Phodiso Dintwe becomes Creative Director & Strategy Lead. The team begins research and development for ‘Wāhine Inside’, a chapbook that will feature a collection of prose and poetry created in collaboration with wāhine at Christchurch Women’s Prison.
2025
Siobhan Steedman and Sheldon Rua join the team as Creative Writing Facilitators.

How we work

“Tū ana Raeroa, noho ana Raepoto.”

“Raeroa stands up, Raepoto sits down.”

In standing, we remain responsive to the stories and spaces around us. In sitting, we remain humble and reflexive.

Collaborative processWe value input and creativity from our partners while staying true to our kaupapa.
Clear communicationWe work with transparency, providing clear guidelines, expectations, and project timelines.
Flexibility & innovationWe are open to new ideas, ensuring the best outcome for rangatahi and our audience.

Partners

Our work is strengthened by partnerships with various organisations and community groups.

Here are some examples.

Youth & community organisations

Te Hou Ora Whānau Services
Kākano Youth Arts Collective
MIXIT Charitable Trust
The 312 Hub
Corban Estate Arts Centre
Tula’i Ngāue
Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini
PHAB Charitable Trust

Advocacy organisations

Home Ground New Zealand
Arts Access Aotearoa
People Against Prisons Aotearoa

Our programme has grown with the support of Youth Arts New Zealand.

Whakapā mai

Pātai atu! (Ask away!) We're a tiny team with big passion, and we love connecting with fellow story-lovers. For inquiries about workshops, resources, or partnerships, drop us a line. During our hiatus period, our inbox will be checked fortnightly.

"Te Kāhui plays an invaluable role in the lives of rangatahi across Aotearoa, offering transformative opportunities for self-reflection, emotional growth, and creative expression. As the arts in Corrections Advisor for Arts Access Aotearoa, I have a deep understanding of the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals, especially those in challenging circumstances, and Te Kāhui's work stands as a shining example of the positive change that can be achieved through arts-based programmes.

– Neil Wallace (Arts in Corrections Advisor, Arts Access Aotearoa)