The InZone Project started in 2011 under the United Māori Mission, with the aim of opening doors for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi who are potential leaders in their communities and in the economic, political and social life of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The InZone Education Foundation was established in May 2013, and our core purpose remains the same.

We run two kāinga (hostels) that are “in zone” for two top-performing schools, Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar School. We work in partnership with both schools so our rangatahi are immersed in a community with high expectations and a focus on achievement in their academic, sporting and cultural lives.

Our kāinga provide a supportive whānau environment with a Māori and Christian kaupapa, fostering the strength of character needed for leadership.

With the support of our cornerstone funders, we have continued to strengthen what we offer, formalising our Tikanga Māori programme and resourcing additional academic support.

More and more whānau are looking for ways to build their tamariki’s cultural capacity, and we now offer regular kapa haka and tikanga sessions, noho marae with associated wānanga, and exposure to te reo Māori.

Other opportunities woven into the InZone kaupapa include goal setting, career advice, academic tutoring, mentoring, training in financial literacy and public speaking, inter-denominational Christian pastoral care, and visits from inspirational speakers.

This level of care comes at a cost. We need to raise at least $8,000 a year for each student to make up the shortfall between our actual costs and whānau fees, and to keep InZone accessible to as many families as possible.

InZone is only possible thanks to an extensive network of supporters, including charitable trusts, businesses and individual donors. Our Friends of InZone programme connects donors more closely with InZone by sharing our news and hosting an annual Friends event.

InZone rangatahi continue to punch above their weight, becoming prefects and sporting and cultural leaders well out of proportion to our numbers at both schools.

I invite you to look through our website, discover our history, meet our staff and students, and see the impact of InZone in action.

Ngā mihi,
Jared Nordstrom
Tumuaki | Chief Executive