How we work?

We are a group of volunteers. Our own experience during our university years in what are now the Partner Communities, led us to act on the explicit plea of an elder in one of the communities: “Go home, complete your studies and become valuable. Then come back here and be available”. We seek to create a mechanism in which people who are valuable can be available for periods of time to work and enhance the relationships that it was our privilege to form. We see these relationships as a vital component in growing the consciousness of our bicultural nation.

Partner Communities

Partner Communities host the Next Door community. They are communities with which the initiators of Next Door have developed relationships over a long period of time. Significant Partner Communities include Te Whaiti, Minginui, Waiohau, Ruatahuna and Murupara, all in the central North Island. As the Next Door concept develops, it is likely that more Partner Communities will be added to this list.

The Next Door Community

The first Next Door community is made up of Michelle Windsor and Matt Newman. Michelle is a university graduate in biomedical engineering, and Matt is on leave from his studies towards a degree in development and social policy. They are resident at Te Kura toitu o Te Whaiti Nui-a-Toi in Te Urewera. Apart from their work among the students and staff in the school, they are tasked with scoping intended involvement with communities at Ruatahuna and Murupara. In 2017, it is intended that two school leavers will join this community for a service year.

Donate Today

What happens with your donation?

Your donation goes straight into the account of The Young Neighbours Trust (see below). Funds are then dispersed by the Trustees for two purposes according to the terms of the Trust:

1. At the request of host schools to contribute to school fees and expenses for students promoted by their local communities

2. At the request of Next Door communities for financial support during their volunteer service.

Please note that all donations above $5 are tax refundable.