Ihaka’s Story

I had a drug and alcohol addiction and eventually got myself locked up in the youth justice corrections facility and once I got older I had to go into Mount Eden corrections facility.

Kia Ora my name is Ihaka born and bred in Papatoetoe Auckland growing up was challenging for me because I used to get bullied a lot through my years in primary all the way to high school. I mixed with the wrong crowd throughout my teenage years getting into trouble and often arrested by the police. I had a drug and alcohol addiction and eventually got myself locked up in the youth justice corrections facility and once I got older I had to go into Mount Eden corrections facility.

I’m very close to the founders of the W.H.Y program Kenneth and Ane Sin. I've known them for 10 years now they have supported me through my troubled years as a youth coming to all my court cases and even allowing me to stay in their home for 6 weeks while I was on supported bail. This happened because I wasn’t allowed to go back to my dad's house. Even with all this support I still didn’t know what to do with my life I was real depressed and suicidal. I started to get into messed up relationships which lead me to do more crime and getting myself locked up in Mount Eden Prison.

I got released from prison I really wanted to change my life around so I decided to get back in contact with Kenneth and Ane. At that time they had founded a structured organisation for young people in Manurewa called What Hope Community Trust.

It wasn't long before I was part of the W.H.Y (What Hope Youth) program and they saw the potential I had to become a leader so I decided to join the team. I had to do an internship for one year to become a volunteer leader. Through this journey I learnt how to be part of a team and a team player. My confidence grew a lot and I learnt how to organise and run youth programmes for the youth nights. I also helped with events in the community which was awesome, being able to connect with other young people in the community. I've also got my full driver license and I became the van custodian for W.H.Y.

My dream is to see the younger generation thrive in the community and have spaces where they can be themselves and express who they are. A place connection and belonging.