Transform Aotearoa
A place of opportunity
Putaruru charity Transform Aotearoa would not exist if Ian Elliott, the late Trinity Lands chairman, had not connected with local prison officer of 30 years, Lamen Hohaia.
Together, they launched Transform Aotearoa to help Putaruru families affected by imprisonment. The charity helps people who have been in prison, and their families, find purpose and stability as they move forward.
Eight years later, Lamen is still at Transform. He leads the organisation’s men’s programmes and says:
“It's all about helping them problem solve and make better decisions and being community people really. So that's my goal, point them in the right direction.”
Lamen Hohaia,
Head of Men's Programmes
A social service
Danny Scott is Transform’s social liaison officer, but he first came to the social service as a client.
“My past is drugs, so I ended up becoming a gang member and it led me to prison. The prison sentence was a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to get clean.”
Danny Scott,
Social Liaison Officer
Sharing challenges
He is convinced of the value of avoiding idle hands – keeping busy helped him work towards a life beyond drugs, gangs, and prison. He is studying towards a social work degree through distance learning and encourages clients to fill their days with work, volunteer roles, study, or fitness. Every weekday morning, he drives around picking up clients for an 8.30am session at a local gym. As they train, the men share the challenges they are facing in turning away from crime, and support each other to stay focused on the life they want to lead.
“Transform is a place of opportunity,” he says. “Just as
drugs can infect a community, well, so can this - in a positive way. The community is growing the community.”
Danny Scott
A change for good
Mata King, a father of six, is a member of Danny’s Men’s Life Group. On a bright Tuesday morning, he is lifting weights alongside men he went to school with and has met again in the month since he moved home. The men share a desire for a peaceful, enjoyable life.
Taking control
“I’ve been inside four times. Not proud of it but it is what it is and, after that last time, I really wanted to make some changes and change my life. I wanted to come back home to Putaruru but, if I’m to be honest, I was a bit worried. I didn’t know if I’d have the support to continue my transformation. But I found this…”
Mata King,
Transform Aotearoa member
Women's support group
Local businesswoman Rochelle Ma is a member of the women’s support group.
“I really appreciate Transform – it’s really changed me as a woman. I know a lot of women out there have self-doubt and don’t have that value and they don’t know how to find that. Transform, this women’s programme,
does help.”
Rochelle Ma,
Transform Aotearoa member
She and her husband own a painting business. He is doing a Transform Aotearoa night course and, together, they are learning to communicate effectively in their relationship.
Changing lives
CEO Howard Goold says Transform Aotearoa now helps more than 400 people a year. In 2022, Trinity Lands gave Transform Aotearoa $105,000.
“If we didn’t have the Trinity Lands funding, at the level we have it at the moment, we actually would not be able to operate at all.”
Howard Goold,
Transform Aotearoa CEO
See the other charities that Trinity Lands support
Contact us
Phone: 07 885 1026
Email: info@trinitylands.co.nz
Head Office:10 Neal St, Putaruru
Postal Address: PO Box 181 Putaruru, 3443
