A lot comes out during our Caucus visits, and not just who can and can not sing.  For me, the moment of last week’s trip was my visit to the Western Institute of Technology (the old Taranaki Polytechnic).  They have been through their share of problems, but seem to be coming out the other side.  But what really got me was the description of their part in this foundation learning programme.

Essentially the programme involves delivering foundation and life skill courses to a group of young men, almost all of whom are Maori, alongside training for Rugby League. The players selected are among the best playing League in Taranaki, but many have fallen way outside of the system. According to those that run the programme many have been or are in trouble with the law, and have shown little or no interest in education or training. By using their interest in sport the programme exposes them to education and life opportunities that would otherwise not happen.

The programme has had its ups and downs, and not everyone makes it through. But there are great successes. Four or five of the first year’s intake have secured contracts with NRL clubs. For some there has been a move to other tertiary courses they never thought possible. For others it is simply the value of restoring some pride in themselves and some order to their lives.

The overall impression I got from those who take the course is that these are young men who have been without hope. We have heard a lot about poverty in recent weeks, and there is no doubt desperate situations for many that we must rectify as a nation.  Addressing basic  needs such as income, housing, health is vital.   In addition, to make real change,  we must address the poverty of expectation that these young men and others like them, have. We need to intervene far earlier in these young men’s life to give them some belief that society cares about them, and they should care about society. If those interventions do not work at any early age, we have to keep trying until it does work.

This is not going to happen with boot camps that reinforce their outsider status or through a youth guarantee scheme that does not support people once they are given the chance for training. The programmes that work are resource intensive, on-going and delivered with the support of the community around them.

This matters to all of us. If we want to improve our prospects as a nation we have to take everyone with us, and release their potential. It matters for the simple sake of human diginity, and it matters to the families and communities these men are part of.  If you are not motivated by that, then be motivated by the fact that these young men will be a drain on the health, welfare and correctional system if we are not prepared to invest in their future. This is one of the great challenges that face us as a society, and we must be prepared to back different and innovative solutions if we are to meet that challenge.