About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to transform the lives of Far North students whose potential is hindered by hardship. We provide comprehensive support for secondary schooling in a boarding environment, cultivating academic achievement, fostering belonging, and building the relationships and experiences that prepare young people for confident, connected leadership.

Our Story

The Enable Rangatiratanga Charitable Trust was founded by Fraser Smith, in collaboration with the Takapuna Rotary Club, in 2020.

At the time, Fraser was Principal of Oturu School in Kaitaia. The students at Oturu come from some of New Zealand’s most challenging socio-economic environments. While he worked to support all of his pupils to the best of his abilities, Fraser realised that some of his most promising students needed the kind of intervention that only live-in boarding school could provide. But there was no money in the community to make that a reality.

This insight drove Fraser to work with charitable trusts, social workers, and voluntary organisations to bring together the necessary resources. He forged a particularly strong partnership with the Takapuna North Rotary group, and with them he set up the Enable Rangatiratanga Charitable Trust. Rangatiratanga can be loosely interpreted as meaning “creating leaders.”

In 2016, the first student, Levi, was selected by the Trust. Levi attended Whangarei Boys High School from 2017 to 2021, becoming head boarder and a powerful role model within his community. He’s now 20 and has gone on to pursue a career in management within the dairy industry.

The Trust’s next sponsored student is slated to begin her schooling in 2026.

And we’re just getting started. Our goal is to enable many more promising Far North students to experience the transformative power of educational opportunity — and to return home as role models and help grow their communities.

If you’re interested in supporting our work, please get in touch.

The Enable Rangatiratanga Charitable Trust is a registered charity. You can view our details, including financials, online at Charities Services. Our list of Trustees can be viewed here.