Young people are rarely at their best before 6am but for rangatahi in Gisborne an early wake-up call from Police is providing just the start they need.

Constable Whiti Timutimu launched the ATAWHAI mentoring programme in 2013 after a conversation with an intermediate principal who was desperate for help keeping students focused and at school.

Now, two terms a year, three days a week, groups of Year 7 and 8 pupils from two schools line up at 5.45am for an hour of PT, followed by a shower, breakfast and a motivational talk before class.

It is an out-of-hours commitment for the students, for Whiti, the other mentors and participants’ whanau, who are encouraged to help out.

“I went away and invited colleagues from different agencies such as Defence and Fire to see what we could do.”

The name was gifted by the late Dr Apirana Mahuika, head of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou.

ATAWHAI means ‘nurture’ in Maori and as an acronym its letters represent concepts including youth, cherishing, teaching and a new pathway.

Participants include children considered ‘at risk’ – perhaps through gang links, truancy or drugs – and others identified as leaders.

Their application to join must have their whanau’s backing.

They enjoy peer and adult support in a ‘buddy’ system which can start before they join and continues after graduation.

Each ten-week programme finishes with a ‘longest day’ - a 5am start and a variety of physical and mental challenges.

“If they get through they graduate,” says Whiti. “There’s a lunch with whanau, with sponsored prizes.

So far, 160 have graduated. Whiti says truancy and youth offending have fallen – “CYF are wondering why, but it’s prevention first.”

A big test comes next year, NCEA year for the first graduates. ATAWHAI offers NCEA workshops for students and whanau, and secondary school preparation for intermediate-age children.

Whiti wants the support to continue further.

“For me it was never going to be a ten-week programme, then that’s it. I want us to keep investing in our kids for as long as we can, at least until they leave school and gain employment.

“The challenge for students and whanau comes after ATAWHAI. You get them on a high but they have to stay positive.

For some it’s a struggle which is why we want to buddy up with our youth and keep supporting them.”

A new video about ATAWHAI can be seen on Police’s Youtube channel - www.youtube.com/policenz