Support our MATES Mentoring and Tutoring Programme

MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) addresses the underachievement in education of disadvantaged youth in New Zealand.

MATES Intervenes in a young person's education at two key transition point:

MATES Junior - Year 8

Mentees are Year 8 students at risk of not engaging in secondary school, leaving them exposed to a greatly reduced chance of success in high school and in life.

MATES Senior - Year 13

Mentees are Year 13 students who have the potential to succeed at tertiary study or in further training or employment but may not reach the required level without targeted help. Typically, they are the first in their family to consider tertiary education.

Research has shown that a combination of mentoring and tutoring increases academic achievement, raises aspirations, and enhances self-confidence for those at risk of underachieving.

MATES is extremely successful at raising the level of aspiration and achievement for high school students attending schools in low socioeconomic areas, where the majority of the student population comes from low-income families.

MATES Senior mentees achieve NCEA Level 3 far above the national average. 84% of MATES students achieved NCEA Level 3 in 2018 compared to the national average of 58% - and 40% for schools in low socioeconomic areas.