Back to school: ME Family Services introduce new Attendance Kaimahi

Attendance Kaimahi pictured. Back row (L-R): names...Priscilla Waller Subritzky, Lafaele Pereira, Serena Rorani-Ah To, Anthony Kavana. Front row (L-R): Anika Channa (Manager), LIllie Refiti, May Ngatuakana. Absent: Wiremu Melbourne-Reedy, Ashley Tonga 

Following COVID-19, school attendance became a nationwide challenge across Aotearoa. While the long lockdowns may feel like a distant memory for some, many families in Māngere are still struggling to get their children to school consistently. That ongoing challenge is now set to receive extra support, with the introduction of Attendance Kaimahi who will work closely with local schools through a new service run by ME Family Services, an initiative of the Ministry of Education.

The charity’s chief executive Carole Tana-Tepania says her organisation’s well-known holistic approach, as well as their deep knowledge of the community means they can really tackle this challenge. 

“We understand that getting a child or young person to school is not just about the student, it's about the wellbeing of the whole family and their connection to the community,” says Carole. 

“We want to work with families to identify and resolve underlying causes and where appropriate we will offer alternative ways for young people to connect, build confidence, and gain a sense of purpose to improve attendance.”

And she’s confident that with the community’s support this new service can make a real difference.

“Together, we can ensure every child in Māngere has regular attendance and the opportunity to thrive in education. So look out for future updates as we launch this vital service in 2026.”