He Poutama Rangatahi students in 2020. Photo: Supplied / Tūranga Ararau Iwi Tertiary Education Provider The government is investing in rural communities through the He Poutama Rangatahi programmes to help young people overcome barriers and access education, training, and employment opportunities. The four recipients for the recent tranche of funding released by the minister for social development and employment were Te Ara Poutama in Te Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, the School of Hard Knocks in the Bay of Plenty, Life Talk in Northland and Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora, also in Te Tai Tokerau/Northland. Areas such as driver licenses, qualifications, or practical work skills, are provided and the recipient organisations said the investment boost in rural communities was important as it was very difficult to tackle these challenges alone.