Opotiki's KO Kollective Trust has just received a $4,500 boost thanks to the staff at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, which will enable the trust to reach more people in the community.

KO Kollective is a social movement that continues the previous mahi of grandmothers and mothers – enabling and empowering people to dream, activate and actualise their full potential.

Empowering people to be the best they can be is the core of Opotiki's KO Kollective Trust.

Most recently they have become involved with local kura to affect change from within by developing a leadership programme for senior students that is also aimed at reducing truancy.

Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Dr. Leon Fourie says the money was raised from ticket sales to the Institute's Christmas Party which was held in December. The money was officially handed over to KO Kollective at a function at the Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus last week.

'We chose to donate the proceeds from our Christmas Party to KO Kollective because we believe in the great mahi they do across Opotiki, Whakatāne and beyond,” says Dr Fourie.

'Toi Ohomai is proud to support the wider Bay of Plenty and South Waikato areas and this is part of our commitment to strengthen those communities.”

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is one of the largest tertiary education providers in the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato regions, with more than 12,000 students studying across more than 25 delivery sites in Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Tokoroa and Whakatane.

The Institute was designed to meet education and employment needs of people in the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato regions, while fostering innovation.

Toi Ohomai offers something for learners of all ages, with more than 150 study options covering specialities in business, creative arts, engineering, forestry, health and nursing, hospitality, marine science, road transport, tourism, trades and more.

'We believe in the mahi KO Kollective strives to achieve. They are a true community organisation which is trying to improve the outcomes for youth in our rohe. This makes them a great partner for Toi Ohomai as we work towards a shared vision for our communities,” says Dr Fourie.

KO Kollective Trust Executive Chair Shannon Hanrahan says the money provided by Toi Ohomai will assist in expanding the reach and scope of its community korero engagement work across the Opotiki district.

'We are thankful to all the staff at Toi Ohomai for the heartfelt donation. This financial support helps us greatly towards our goal of meeting with every whanau in our community to begin a journey to dream a collective vision for the future of Opotiki,” says Shannon.

'Identifying, activating, and growing the untapped potential of our greatest assets – the people of Opotiki – is a key focus for KO Kollective Trust. We look forward to working with Toi Ohomai to assist local Opotiki people on their journey to reach their best and fullest potential.”