KEY POINTS:
Tania Green sees her share of Whakatane's troubled teens.
The physical education relief teacher also sees their potential being unlocked, through a net, a court and a stitched ball.
Vast chunks of her spare time are spent coaching the town's children and teens in volleyball.
She then helps them fundraise, enabling even those with the least means to travel to regional and national tournaments.
The response from the children was astounding, Mrs Green's daughter-in-law Violet Temu said.
"She takes out the kids that are having trouble at school, the mischief kids. She gets them doing something practical, instead of naughty things.
"They keep coming to the volleyball training, and you see the change in them. She doesn't want them to end up behind bars. And then their friends see the change, and they want to be a part of it too."
Mrs Green's time and energy were given freely, but she expected respect in return, Ms Temu said.
"She's strict. The kids understand that, and they don't push her."
Mrs Green said she was happy to put effort into the children, and they seemed to respond to that.
"It's just to help kids out and keep them on a positive road."
Of particular value were the trips to tournaments, she said. It was often the only chance the children had to see other towns, and the teamwork and bonding they experienced on a weekend away created a change easily discernible on their return.
"A lot of kids here never get to go away. And they love it. They all share, they get to help each other. And you see it when they come back."
