Te Korowai South Island Roll-out

We are super excited to be rolling out Te Korowai in South Canterbury next term in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Bluestone School.

Programme Overview

The name “Te Korowai” was gifted to Skylight by Kura Moeahu, Te Āti Awa, Chair.

Te Korowai is a resilience-based wellbeing programme that has been designed to support tamariki aged 10–13 years (Years 6-8). It helps tamariki cope positively with change (such as moving to intermediate), and aims to improve wellbeing, build resilience, and increase the capacity to cope.

Te Korowai is grounded in trauma-informed practice and is informed by a range of established theories and frameworks. These include Te Whare Tapa Whā, solution-focused and strengths-based approaches, together with insights from neuroplasticity and positive psychology. The programme also draws on mindfulness, arts therapy, emotional regulation and the theory of post-traumatic growth. Te Korowai is best suited to low-medium complexity needs, small groups (4-5 for deeper engagement) and a 10-week session structure – ideally aligned to school terms.

Furthermore, it has the potential to be adapted and delivered at a whole classroom scale.

The Pilot

The Pilot was carried out in two phases, across four Waikato schools and refined through tamariki response, facilitator reflection, peer supervision, cultural consultation with Te Āti Awa, and collaboration with school-based professionals.

The pilot demonstrated strong engagement and positive well-being outcomes:

• Te Korowai participants who completed pre and post-measures showed an average increase of 19.54% wellbeing scores (in 2025)

• Increased emotional literacy, regulation, and confidence in navigating change

• Strengthened peer relationships, trust, and whanaungatanga

• Reduced anxiety around high school transition

• Greater awareness of strengths, supports, and cultural identity

Personal Korowai creations became powerful symbols of protection and resilience. Strong attendance, referrals, and ongoing connection with participants occurred and several tamariki self-referred for 1:1 counselling post-programme, positioning Te Korowai as an effective early-intervention and engagement pathway.

Below is a quote from a social worker;

“The impact of Te Korowai was clear and powerful. Over the weeks, I witnessed noticeable changes in the young wāhine. They became more open, reflective, and confident. They learned new ways to express themselves, understand their wellbeing, and relate to others. There was a strong sense of whanaungatanga (connection) that developed within the group, a feeling of trust and belonging that made a real difference.”

Skylight is proud that the pilot will move into more schools, including schools where we deliver Awhi Mai Awhi Atu (Counselling in Schools). A huge thank you to our counsellors Beth Ivy Buxton, Anna Geard for their work on the pilot, Jasmine Lancaster-Tasele, Matt Cameron for taking it forward in South Canterbury, and Darren Smith, Tumuaki Principal of Bluestone School and Ruth Sullivan, Manager Integrated Services, Ministry of Education.

If you want to know more about the programme, please contact Vonnie at [email protected]