Rutherford College is proudly hosting the Laulōtaha Mentoring Programme:

Laulõtaha is Tongan for Excellence. The suffix ‘taha’ means number one.

Laulõtaha mentoring is an innovative education project for Pasifika students. It is a unique and innovative one-to-one mentoring programme delivered by volunteers within a family, cultural and church context.

The programme was founded and established by Valeti Finau MNZM, a Pasifika Education Specialist, in Wellington in 2007. She is now Team Leader of Laulotaha and Siaola (Vahefonua Tonga of the Methodist Church of NZ Mission Charitable Trust) Famili Ako Lelei. It’s a blessing for Laulotaha Mentoring Programme to have the support and advice of Victoria University of Wellington Professor Emeritus of Innovations in Education in NZ, Dai Gilbertson.

The programme was established in Auckland in 2012, when its founder signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northcote College, witnessed by Hon Hekia Parata. Laulotaha has been supported by Lifewise and Airedate Property Trust of the Methodist Church of New Zealand since its establishment in Auckland.

This year, Laulotaha has seen big growth across 4 mentoring centres (Wellington, Northcote College, Sandringham, Aorere College), with new ones being established. It is expected that at least 10 Laulotaha centres across New Zealand will be up and running by the end of the year.

Laulotaha shall always be indebted to the more than 100 volunteer mentors every year recruited by Volunteering Wellington and Volunteering Auckland, for their commitment and passion in supporting our children to succeed at school and set them off to be the best in their chosen field and career.

A warm welcome awaits for students, from primary through to secondary, seeking tutoring and support. The programme will run in the Information Commons, from 6 to 8pm.

Details as follows, please contact Valeti with expressions of interest:

Laulōtaha Mentoring Programme, Rutherford College, Te Atatu – Calendar 2021

Venue: Rutherford College, 18 – 20 Kotuku St, Te Atatu

Time & Date : 6 – 8pm, 1^st & 3^rd Thursdays

Term Two – Thursday 17th June, Thurs 1st July

Term Three – Thursday 5, 19, August and 2nd 16th September

Term Four – Thursday 21st October, Finale Thursday 4th November

Contact: Valeti Finau, Mob Ph 021 774 368.Email [email protected]