Our Founder
Michael & Paige Gower
United by a shared passion for restoring hope, strengthening whānau, and creating pathways for lasting change within communities.
The people behind the kaupapa
Their story
Co-founder
Paige Gower
Paige spent much of her childhood being raised by her grandparents in rural Samoa, where she developed a deep connection to the land, the sea, family, and community. Growing up in this environment instilled in her the values of respect, service, resilience, humility, and collective responsibility — and an understanding that wellbeing is deeply connected to identity, relationships, culture, and belonging.
Building on these foundations, Paige has dedicated many years to working alongside rangatahi, whānau, and individuals experiencing trauma, homelessness, family violence, justice involvement, addiction, and social disadvantage. Her experience in social services and leadership has shaped a holistic, relationship-based approach that recognises every person’s potential to heal, reconnect, and thrive.
Co-founder
Michael Gower
Michael brings a wealth of lived experience grounded in service, culture, and community. He spent much of his younger years working on his ancestral marae in coastal Taranaki, where he developed a deep appreciation for manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and the importance of serving others.
As a young chef, he travelled throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, gaining valuable life experience, building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, and developing a strong work ethic centred on care, respect, and excellence.
Breaking cycles, building legacy
Michael and Paige’s journey has also been shaped by lived experience. Becoming young parents, they faced their own challenges and obstacles while building a future for their whānau. Through determination, perseverance, and a commitment to growth, they made significant changes in their own lives to break cycles of intergenerational trauma and create a healthier, stronger legacy for their children and future generations.
These experiences have given them a deep understanding of the realities many whānau face — and strengthened their belief that, with the right support, compassion, and opportunities, lasting transformation is possible.
Te Ara Whakahoki
The inspiration behind the kaupapa
Te Ara Whakahoki was born from both lived experience and years of walking alongside individuals, rangatahi, and whānau facing some of life’s greatest challenges.
Throughout Paige’s career in social services, she witnessed many individuals and whānau being referred from one service to another without the opportunity to address the deeper causes of their challenges. While immediate needs were often met, many continued to struggle with unresolved trauma, disconnection from identity and culture, fractured relationships, housing instability, addiction, and a loss of purpose.
Michael and Paige recognised that lasting change requires more than crisis intervention. It requires a holistic approach that restores identity, strengthens relationships, supports healing, and empowers people to build sustainable futures.
This vision became Te Ara Whakahoki — “The Pathway of Returning.” A return to identity. A return to whakapapa. A return to whānau. A return to hope, purpose, and wellbeing.
Our model of practice
Guided by four pou
Four pou shape every decision, relationship, and service Te Ara Whakahoki provides.
Whakapapa
Knowing who I am and where I belong.
Whakaora
Healing from trauma and restoring wellbeing.
Whanaungatanga
Building healthy relationships and strengthening connections.
Whakatipu
Growing through education, employment, leadership, and purpose.
How we serve
Our guiding principles
The four pou are lived through the way we serve others.
Manaakitanga
We care for people with kindness, generosity, hospitality, and respect, ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and compassion.
Aroha
We lead with empathy, understanding, and genuine care, recognising the humanity and potential within every person.
Pono
We act with honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability in everything we do.
Rangatiratanga
We encourage self-determination by empowering individuals and whānau to make informed choices and lead their own journeys towards wellbeing.
Kotahitanga
We believe meaningful change is achieved through unity, collaboration, and collective responsibility across whānau, communities, organisations, and partners.
Kaitiakitanga
We are committed to protecting people, nurturing our environment, respecting culture, and leaving a legacy that strengthens future generations.
Our commitment
Not ahead. Not behind. Beside.
At Te Ara Whakahoki, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to return to who they truly are — to rediscover their identity, restore their wellbeing, strengthen their relationships, and realise their potential.
Our role is not to walk ahead or behind those we serve, but beside them. Together, we create pathways of hope, healing, belonging, and purpose that honour the past while building stronger futures.