Projects

The $50 Challenge is a signature part of our Haututu product development stream at Tāiki e!. Rangatahi are given a simple brief: take $50 and a few weeks to turn it into something real. Whether it’s a product, a prototype, or something ready for the market, it’s all about using creativity, hands-on skills, and a touch of hustle.

At Tāiki e!, we know that growing up doesn’t come with an instruction manual. That’s why we created Adulting 101 — a hands-on, no-fluff workshop series that helps rangatahi build real-life skills that actually matter. From fixing a flat tyre to understanding your rights as a renter, this series is all about practical knowledge, shared in a relaxed and supportive environment.

In July 2024, Tāiki e! took 11 rangatahi to Festival for the Future, Aotearoa’s largest youth conference, for three unforgettable days of inspiration, learning, and connection. With thousands of young leaders from across the country in attendance, the festival offered a platform to explore solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our generation. Rangatahi were immersed in thought-provoking kōrero from speakers at the forefront of innovation, social change, and climate action, while participating in interactive workshops designed to build leadership, resilience, and confidence.

Kia Tīna is a pioneering crowdfunding platform dedicated to promoting te reo Māori across Aotearoa. Emerging from the Programming Māori Potential (PMP) rangatahi accelerator, Kia Tīna empowers individuals and communities to launch and support projects that enhance the use and visibility of te reo Māori in everyday life.

Next Gen Escapes is a youth-led social enterprise that provides valuable real-world experience to rangatahi, teaching them the ins and outs of running a successful business. Through their innovative approach, young people gain practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and firsthand experience in managing and operating a thriving enterprise.

PikUp is a rangatahi-led initiative born out of Tāiki e! — a creative and tech-savvy solution to a very human challenge: food going to waste while whānau go without. The platform connects backyard growers, orchardists, and households with surplus produce to local volunteers and whānau in need.

Over the past few years, Tāiki e! has hosted more than 10 Rangatahi Markets in Tairāwhiti — with each one showcasing up to 20 rangatahi entrepreneurs who are stepping up, standing out, and showing us what’s possible when young people are given the space to thrive.

At Tāiki e!, we believe our economy won’t truly change until our rangatahi are not just part of the conversation — but leading it. The Rangatahi Summit on the Economy, held in partnership with economist and thought leader Shamubeel Eaqub, was a powerful step in that direction.