At the heart of the Graeme Dingle Foundation is a simple belief – young people thrive when they are supported, challenged, and connected to others who believe in them. One of the most powerful ways we see this come to life across our programmes is through the tuakana–teina model, a relationship structure deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori.
Tuakana–teina mentoring refers to the relationship between an older individual (tuakana) and a younger individual (teina). It recognises that learning, leadership, and growth are shared, not one-directional [and both participants benefit from working together].
As the whakataukī reminds us:
“Mā te tuakana te teina e totika, mā te teina te tuakana e totika.”
The older will guide the younger, and the younger will, in turn, guide the older.
This philosophy is woven throughout the mahi of our secondary school programmes.
Tuakana–Teina in Action Through Stars
Stars supports Year 9’s as they transition into secondary school, a pivotal moment that can shape confidence, belonging, and long-term engagement with learning. At the core of Stars is peer mentoring, where older students step into leadership roles to support younger students navigating this change.
These peer mentors don’t just provide guidance; they model what positive leadership looks like. They show that strength can be quiet, that asking for help is okay, and that success is something we work towards together. At the same time, mentors themselves grow, developing empathy, responsibility, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose.
When Stars was originally developed by Sir Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle, and later refined by the programme development team, this structure wasn’t an add-on, it was built into the foundation of the programme. The programme design centred on an understanding that peer connection is one of the most effective ways to influence behaviour, build resilience, and create a sense of belonging.
The results speak for themselves
Evaluation of Stars participants shows that students who engage in the programme experience increased connectedness and develop a more positive orientation towards their future-two key components of long-term wellbeing.
Students themselves report meaningful, practical outcomes:
- 93% say they are better able to work with others
- 91% say they have built resilience
- 90% say they have developed new skills
Together, these results reinforce the power of peer mentoring and shared leadership
Tuakana–Teina in Practice, Across Our Regions
This model is being lived out by hundreds of young people across Aotearoa. Through our Stars programme alone, 559 Stars Peer Mentors* are supporting younger ākonga to navigate the transition into secondary school, including 285 in Auckland, 109 across the Western Bay of Plenty, 106 in Waikato, and 59 in Canterbury. Each of these young leaders plays a tuakana role, offering guidance, encouragement, and lived experience, while continuing to learn and grow themselves through the mentoring relationship.
*2025 Stars Peer Mentor stats
A Philosophy Rooted in the Outdoors
This way of learning and leading also reflects Jo-anne Wilkinson’s and Sir Graeme Dingle’s philosophies from teaching law, and in Graeme’s case a lifetime of mountaineering and outdoor pursuits.
More experienced people test the way creating a path that others can follow safely. But success depends on the whole group moving together, trusting one another, and taking responsibility for those alongside them.
In this environment, leadership is not about status, it’s about service. Everyone has a role to play, and everyone learns from the journey.
That same principle underpins our programmes.
Looking Ahead: A Living Model for Alumni
As our alumni community continues to grow, the tuakana–teina model provides a powerful foundation for how we think about connection beyond programme completion. Alumni who have walked the path before are uniquely placed to support those coming through, sharing lived experience, offering guidance, and reminding young people that challenges can be overcome.
In turn, younger participants bring fresh perspectives, energy, and new ways of seeing the world.
This reciprocal relationship strengthens individuals, whānau, and communities and reflects the values that have always defined the Graeme Dingle Foundation.