Gisborne youth group Ka Timata helps rangatahi build confidence and life skills

Kahyden Matenga-Bishop, Freddy Bishop, Raniera Apisai Kuru and Tiaki Te Kani of Ka Timata have had a great year experiencing new opportunities through the youth group. Photo / Matai O'Connor

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An ex-convict who resolved to turn his life around is helping disengaged Gisborne rangatahi find confidence and purpose through a youth group.

Freddy Bishop, a 37-year-old father of four, started Ka Timata after noticing a group of about 20 young people regularly gathering at his home instead of attending school.

“I saw they weren’t doing anything and thought I could help in some way,” Bishop said.

He began talking to each of them and discovered many were dealing with challenges at school or home.

“Some of them lacked so much confidence they wouldn’t even want to speak in front of others,” he said.

Bishop’s life experience is the inspiration and driver behind his work with Ka Timata.

Bishop, whose last name is known to be connected to the Mongrel Mob, said he had a religious upbringing through his mother who wanted different for him and tried to steer him away from the gang path.

However, he ended up being convicted and jailed for drug supply and possession.

“Prison rehabilitated me,” said Bishop, who was released in 2020.

In jail he reflected on how his actions might define his children’s memories of him and made the resolution to change his life.

During rehabilitation sessions, Bishop met the late Tuta Ngarimu, a life-long but non-active Mongrel Mob member who became committed to reducing meth harm and violence in communities.

“When he shared his story, it made me realise that if he could do it, then so could I,” Bishop said.

Bishop first considered a dedicated programme for rangatahi after running a successful holiday programme earlier in 2024.

He decided to formalise it into Ka Timata.

With support from partner Arihi Matenga and her mother, Bishop turned a shed into a meeting space. Daily sessions involved goal-setting, confidence-building, mathematics, literacy and tikanga Māori.

Ka Timata (KT) youth group founders Freddy Bishop and Arihi Matenga in front of a mural the KT kids did in collaboration with artist Aaron Tumai-Wirangi as part of a city centre clean-up.

It has gone from strength to strength and the rangatahi who are part of it have developed considerably in a short period of time.

Raniera Apisai Kuru, 14, told the Gisborne Herald that Ka Timata made him feel valued.

“I felt good about doing this, so I kept coming back.”

Tiaki Te Kani, 15, said the programme was creating better opportunities for him.

“I feel valued here ... it’s built up my confidence and I enjoy doing this.”

Bishop’s second eldest son, Kayhden Matenga-Bishop, 16, has been committed to Ka Timata from its inception.

He has since secured a job, got his driver’s licence and set himself a goal of becoming a real estate agent.

“I stuck with this because I can see how it is good for myself and others.”

The programme also incorporates practical learning.

Participants fundraise to develop money and maths skills, and Bishop teaches them about whakapapa to connect with their heritage.

Bishop shares updates and progress with parents.

Ka Timata collaborates with other organisations such as Turanga Health and Atawhai Charitable Trust.

Atawhai youth mentor Harlem Ratapu ran a free diving and kai gathering course for Ka Timata participants.

“Free diving is a gateway to the moana, a powerful healing classroom,” Ratapu said.

Ka Timata has also volunteered with the Salvation Army and took part in the recent city centre clean-up in which, alongside others, they helped paint murals.

Ka Timata held a youth-led hip-hop concert in June, selling 98 tickets.

Bishop said it was a “smoke-, drink-, drug- and violence-free event” that pushed the rangatahi out of their comfort zones.

Bishop funds Ka Timata himself and is working to register it as a charitable trust to secure further funding.

“It’s a struggle, but I’m dedicated to this.”

He hopes to grow Ka Timata and potentially partner with the Government to help prevent youth from entering the justice system.

“I might only help six boys, but they’ll take what they learn and show others, and it grows from there.

“I’m trying to create a generational legacy that moves away from trauma and into something positive.”

Matai O’Connor, Ngāti Porou, has been a journalist for five years and Kaupapa Māori reporter at the Gisborne Herald for two years.