An equitable Aotearoa where care-experienced individuals thrive and realise their potential through education and lifelong learning.

Our Vision

Our Mission

To make it so TE4CL is no longer needed to support care leavers, because all other relevant institutions have taken on this role.

Our Values

Mohiotanga | Delivery: We push for systemic change to remove barriers and maximise support for care leavers to access tertiary education.

Whakamana | Empower: We seek to raise the expectations of the care-experienced community to know that they can succeed, and tertiary education is one (of many) options available to them.

Whanaungatanga | Relationships: We build and maintain strong relationships with aligned organisations, including iwi and hapu, care sector organisations, tertiary education organisations and philanthropic funders, to achieve practical change to benefit care leavers.

TE4CL - Kia Eke encompasses the original name of the kaupapa (Tertiary Education For Care Leavers) and the Te Ao Māori concept Kia Eke, which means: to ascend; to succeed; to climb; to embark; to land and settle.

Kia Eke was gifted to us by Nā Hunia Mackay (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata, Rongowhakaata, Ngaitai), and places an emphasis on movement, participation and progression. It calls on the idea that unless we all take part in the kaupapa, then barriers will remain and success can be difficult to attain - when all is in sync there is nothing our care experienced whānau cannot achieve.

Our logo was created by kaupapa Māori designer Chloe Reweti and features a pattern of interlocking koru, embodying manaakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga - values that emphasise interconnectedness and the importance of nurturing strong relationships. This highlights that care experienced whānau are connected through shared experience, culture and hold a sense of belonging within their community.

Our Name & Logo

Whakatauki

Ma te hoe tahi e eke ai ki ngaru nui, ki ngaru roa, katahi rā ka aewa te waka ki uta, tau ana.

If we all participate then there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome to reach a common goal.

Our whakatauki was gifted by Nā Hunia Mackay (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata, Rongowhakaata, Ngaitai) and acknowledges the metaphor of embarking on a journey, and calling upon supports to guide one on a journey. From the taiao (natural world) the moon, stars, tides, winds and people are all part of the journey. The call for success – “kia Eke panuku – kia eke Tangaroa, haumi e, Hui e taiki e!” inspires movement, progression, success and excellence.

We also acknowledge pūrakau (stories) around the ngā kete matauranga (the three baskets of knowledge) that talks to Tane/Tawhaki ascending to the highest heavens to obtain knowledge and the supports provided to accomplish this task.

Strategic Plan 2025 - 2027

In early 2022 we launched our Call to Action which outlined what we saw as the major changes needed in Aotearoa New Zealand, to ensure that our care experienced whānau had equitable access to tertiary and further education.

This has now been developed into a strategic plan for 2025 - 2027. You can read the plan here.