This is paper is evaluation of the Taku Wairua programme to assess the diverse effects of the program and identify areas for improvement. Taku Wairua is a program designed to assist young people in their personal development and is centered around four pillars: Belonging and identity, self-discovery, goal setting, and citizenship. Since its inception in 2019, the program has been delivered to individuals and primary schools between the ages of nine and 17 in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. The program is delivered by the Taku Wairua staff members and representatives from community partners. From time to time, adults of varying ages have chosen to participate in the Taku Wairua program as individuals because they could see the benefits it provides. Four primary schools participating in the 2021 delivery of the program will be the focus of the evaluation. In this context, the program is delivered in ten one-hour sessions across 20 weeks.
There is a range of expected benefits and outcomes of the research. The evaluation produces rich, in-depth findings and an understanding of the effects of the program. This includes the shift among students in relation to the four pillars and reveal intended and unintended outcomes. These findings could be interesting to the students themselves and educational practitioners who are responsible for and contribute to their educational experience.