Simon Collins reports from Manurewa in the third of a five-part series on communities that are trying to rescue our young from gangs.
Somehow youth workers have been able to establish relationships with Manurewa young people that are completely different from the way the youngsters interact with their teachers.
"We see them as like family to us, we don't see them as teachers," explains Clendon year eight student Shadae Williams.
"They don't down us for who we are, they don't down us at all. They take us for who we are."
Nga Wahine Atawhai Matukutureia (Maori Women's Welfare League) youth worker Mereana Te Pere says the league works with boys and girls because "girls are fighting just as much as boys these days".
"They didn't have a family so in youth gangs you are part of a family," she says. "They have families but they don't get the attention they want from them."
Clendon parent Tania Ratana says the youth workers can counter the gangs' appeal because they are "hip and cool" and dress like other young people.
The girls in Shadae Williams' group have learned hip-hop dancing. They also play sports and other games.
"It's changed us," Shadae says. "It has brought us to know each other, we are like never against each other. I used to fight a lot. It's changed now."
THE SERIES
Monday: Otara.
- Veteran youth worker never gives up
- Sport takes sting out of Killer Beez
- Social investment pays off in peace on streets
Tuesday: Ihumatao (Mangere).
- Village blooms as kids steered away from crime
Wednesday: Manurewa/Clendon.
- League building girls' trust
Thursday: Kawerau.
- Fighting for a better future
Friday: Kaiti (Gisborne).
- Growing sense of pride erodes mob's influence
