The inspiring journey of Marina, a young woman whose determination, paired with the right support, led her from uncertainty into full-time employment and a clear path toward her dream career.
A Natural Calling for Caregiving
When Marina joined our “Transition to Independence” programme she immediately made a strong first impression by being punctual, respectful, and open to opportunity.
Fuelled by a deep love for her grandmother, who had passed away, Marina was drawn to caregiving. She began in housekeeping before training part-time as a caregiver in a rest home. Her long-term dream is to become a paramedic, but unpredictable hours and limited resources made balancing study and work difficult. Still, she remained focused on moving forward.
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Throughout the programme, Marina stood out. She showed up to every workshop with curiosity and commitment. She was always the first to volunteer and took every chance to learn and grow.
Recognising her positive attitude and immense potential, we then connected Marina to our “Vaka Malosi” programme, which supports rangatahi with career planning and job placement. She joined immediately. Within a week, Marina had built a strong CV, gained interview confidence, and was ready for work.
From Interview to Job and Career Progression
After this our team was able to quickly line up a job interview. Following this Marina received coaching, professional clothing, one-on-one encouragement and support at the interview. The next day, Marina got the job.
Her new employer says it best:
“Marina has a lovely personality - she is eager to learn, hardworking, humble, respectful, and has a service-minded attitude that will make her shine in the hospitality industry.”
Now in her second week of employment, Marina continues to receive pastoral support. During a recent workplace visit, our team have worked with her to develop a career plan, including food safety and barista training, and a long-term pathway toward hospitality management. Marina’s dream of becoming a paramedic is still very much alive and her growing confidence, work experience and an increased ability to earn will help her on this path.
Wrap-around, continuous support
This is a success story made possible by the wraparound approach of Kāute Pasifika’s Employment and Social Services teams. By working together and centering the needs of each young person, we make sure they get the right support at the right time.
“As a team, we celebrate the success of Marina, whose dedication and collaborative approach have truly embodied our values of unity and service,” says Anggie Tuifua, Team Leader – Social Services.
“Her journey shows the impact of working holistically supporting whānau with compassion and partnership, and helping our young people thrive.”
At Kāute Pasifika, we know that when young people are supported with care, structure, and opportunity, they can move forward with confidence.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you reach your career goals, contact our team today!
Find out more:
💻https://kautepasifika.co.nz/services/employment/
📅 Book today: https://kautepasifika.co.nz/referral-form
📧 Email us: info@kautepasifika.co.nz
📞 Call us: 0800 252 883
📍 Visit us: 100 Seddon Road, Frankton Hamilton