About Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust
Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust (TKEMKT), is a prominent charitable organisation that has been serving our vibrant community of Kaikohe since 1986. With a strong commitment to empowering whanau and hapu, Te Kona (TKEMKT) has become a trusted source of support, resources, and training for individuals seeking to improve their lives and contribute to the betterment of our community.
As a pillar in the Kaikohe community, we offer a comprehensive range of services and programs, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our members. These offerings include educational courses covering various subjects, such as a nursery of native trees and horticulture, business and digital hub training, driver’s license training and testing, work training programmes, and event and meeting rooms for hire, among many others.
At the heart of TKEMKT’s mission lies the belief that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. Through our amazing and dedicated kaimahi, we strive to provide the necessary tools, guidance, and support for individuals to succeed not only in the workforce but also in their personal lives.
We take immense pride in our role as an integral part of the Kaikohe community, actively working towards making a positive difference in the lives of our people and the community as a whole. Whether it is through training and education programs, creating spaces for connection and collaboration, or fostering a sense of giving back, we invite individuals to join us in their pursuit of a brighter and more prosperous future for them and their whanau whanui, that is our philosophy.
With a track record spanning over three decades, TKEMKT has consistently delivered programs that enhance social, cultural, environmental, and economic outcomes for our local community. Recognised as a registered Private Training Establishment (PTE) by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, our commitment to excellence is evident in our ongoing efforts to support Māori residing in the Kaikohe and Ngāpuhi rohe.
The Trust’s dedication to education and training, youth and whānau support services, health and fitness, and economic development has solidified our position as a valuable resource for Māori in and around Kaikohe. Through a range of whanau well-being initiatives, Ngāpuhi Emergency Response Collective, Foodbank, Manaaki Pack deliveries, The Trust continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals, families, and the wider community.
An initiative of and operated by Te Kotahitanga E Mahi Kaha Trust (TKEMKT), Te Kona - Digital, Business and Learning hub - is designed to provide opportunities to improve digital capability and business productivity for local Kaikohe businesses and the wider community.
Why Te Kona?
The hub has been gifted the name, “Te Kona”, in recognition of the mother of renowned Ngāpuhi leader Hone Heke. We acknowledge the safe haven created by Te Kona to lead, sustain and protect her people and aim to embody these attributes by delivering on opportunities for our community to learn, be empowered, and grow.
With the foundations of TKEMKT resting firmly in development of youth, we also pay tribute to our previous youth centre, Te Uma o Te Kona, and recognise the contribution of our youth and maintain this connection through the naming of our whare.
While Te Kona is not a social enterprise, we are a registered charity and look for opportunities to maximise social impact for our community wherever possible. To support this kaupapa, we keep our pricing low and offer a number of free events to keep Te Kona widely accessible. When you choose Te Kona for your next hui, you can know that your contribution is directly giving back to our community.