Our Mission
At Dream Big Trust, our mission is to empower and equip young people to realise their full potential—because we believe every child and youth deserves the chance to dream, grow, and thrive.
Based in the Franklin region, we provide free, life-changing programmes that are rooted in community connection, practical support, and positive relationships. Through mentoring, leadership development, life-skills training, and activity-based engagement, we walk alongside young people—especially those facing barriers—and help them build confidence, resilience, and purpose.
We create spaces where they are seen, heard, and valued—where they can explore who they are and who they want to become.
We are committed to:
Delivering inclusive, accessible programmes that respond to the real needs of our community.
Building strong partnerships with schools, families, local iwi, churches, businesses, and organisations.
Developing young leaders who give back and help shape the future of their communities.
Fostering well-being, belonging, and hope through consistent, long-term relationships.
Dream Big is more than just a name. We encourage our young people to think beyond limitations, believe in their potential, and take steps toward the future they envision. Whether it’s through Game Changers, mentoring, youth leadership, or school-based support, we are here to walk the journey with them.
A study conducted by the University of Auckland Medical School, in partnership with the Health Research Council of New Zealand, identified the Pukekohe, Tuakau, and Waiuku areas as among the most socioeconomically deprived in the country. This conclusion was based on a national deprivation index, which measures community need across multiple indicators—including employment, income, crime, housing, health, and education.
These findings reflect what we see every day on the ground: many young people in our community face persistent challenges that limit their opportunities and impact their overall well-being. Without meaningful intervention, these issues risk being passed down to the next generation—deepening cycles of disadvantage.
At Dream Big Trust, we exist to break that cycle. We work at the heart of these communities to support children and youth who are most at risk—offering life-skills programmes, mentoring, leadership development, and positive role models who believe in their potential.
One of the most significant contributing factors we’ve identified is the lack of consistent, positive mentoring during a young person’s most formative years. Many of the young people we work with have experienced instability, trauma, or isolation. They may have little exposure to positive role models, limited opportunities to develop their strengths, and few spaces where they feel seen, valued, and capable of dreaming beyond their circumstances.
These are the young people we are here for.
At Dream Big, we believe every child carries unique potential—and we’re passionate about walking alongside them to build confidence, purpose, and hope. Our team actively goes out into the community, building trusted relationships with young people and their whānau, and providing a central point for schools, community groups, businesses, and agencies to come together in support of youth development.
We are not just running programmes—we are investing in lives, creating pathways, and growing a movement of young people who know their worth and believe in their future.