Posts by Melissa Mae
Students step inside new career pathways in business and accounting
Across the Bay of Plenty, a collective of regional employers and professional service firms is working together to open doors for the next generation. Through hands-on experiences and real conversations…
Read MoreCity centre’s fresh flavours and familiar favourites are giving Tauranga new energy
There’s a quiet but confident buzz rising through the heart of Tauranga. Step into the city centre and you’ll find it’s not business as usual. It’s business better than ever.…
Read MoreBuilding culture from the ground up: students inspired by LT McGuinness
Our Instep Young Leaders braved the chilly morning last week for a chance to go behind the scenes of a major building project and hear directly from the LT McGuinness…
Read MoreMeet Basie Pikimaui: Building connections, unlocking potential
We’re thrilled to welcome Basie Pikimaui to the Ara Rau team as our new Employment Mentor. A calm presence with a strategic mindset, Basie brings a fresh energy to our…
Read MoreWestern Bay of Plenty youth reimagine their city in this year’s yia! innovation challenge
More than 220 students from across the Western Bay of Plenty took part in this year’s yia! (Young Innovator Awards), bringing their boldest ideas to life in a one-day design…
Read MoreBlog – August 2025
Winning the Momenta Live the Life You Love Award: A journey of leadership and growth Source: By Koen Mckenzie – Instep Young Leader 2025 When I first applied for the…
Read MoreFrom take-off to insight: Mt Maunganui students explore aviation and tourism careers
What does it take to land a career at the intersection of adventure, people, and precision? For a group of Year 12 students from Mt Maunganui College, the answer came…
Read MoreEzra’s story: A new chapter of confidence, routine, and possibility
When Ezra reflects on his time with Ara Rau, it is the hands-on, practical nature of the experience that stands out. From forklift training to barista skills, the programme offered…
Read MoreThe heart of Talent Development in Tauranga
The Tauranga Moana Regional Talent forum brought together an energised mix of educators, employers, changemakers, and community leaders, all leaning into one shared goal: building a future of work that…
Read MoreHolland Beckett Law provide insights for future lawyers
Across two engaging evenings, 89 local students had the opportunity to gain practical insights and real-world career advice at events hosted by Holland Beckett Law (HOBEC). Organised by Christabel Namburi,…
Read MoreCultivate Your Career opens pathways in horticulture
On Friday 27 June, students from across the Western Bay of Plenty and as far as Hauraki Plains stepped into the world of horticulture. Cultivate Your Career was more than…
Read MoreInstep Young Leaders energised at Toi Ohomai Business Breakfast
Our Instep Young Leaders gathered for a morning of motivation, insights, and practical wellness strategies at the recent Business Breakfast hosted by Toi Ohomai. The morning offered participants personal insights…
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