Our Story

Pathway Trust’s journey began in 1997. The three founding Trustees, each had a vision to work with the poor and disadvantaged. Mike’s choices as a young man provided the motivation to create positive change in his community. Murray shared that vision and sought an opportunity that could move people out of need and into fulfillment. Victor also chose to reach out and give disadvantaged people a helping hand.  In a response to this, and as a result of their own Christian faith, Mike, Murray and Victor formed a business/trust that would provide jobs to unskilled people and those who needed employment support.

Pathway’s Vision is:

Teaching skills needed for employment
Helping to break negative cycles such as long-term unemployment or criminal offending
Building self-esteem while providing education, training, employment and accountability
Assisting rehabilitation and restoration through mentoring and support
Demonstrating positive values through relationship building

11 years on, Pathway’s social services have grown and developed into the core areas of supported accommodation, reintegration of released prisoners, restorative justice programmes and employment support.

The Business arms of Pathway – Alloyfold and Oak Tree Labour Hire are both successful social enterprises which help to provide funding and employment opportunities to the social services of Pathway Trust.

Alloyfold www.alloyfold.com is now a leading supplier of commercial furniture to the rental market, churches, educational institutions, hospitality industry and cinemas.

Oaktree Labour Hire www.oaktreelabour.co.nz is a labour provider, specialising in unloading shipping containers for a customer base primarily in the logistics industry. Oak Tree operates in a fully commercial environment while also providing work opportunities to some of Pathway’s clients.

" What has impressed me the most, and still does, is the successful mix of achieving social objectives and business objectives, and within that model, being able to rehabilitate ex-prisoners and other seriously damaged and disadvantaged people."
Pete Vink, Ministry of Social Development

Funding

Financial funding is every charities make or break issue. Pathway is unique and desires to be mostly self-funding from business activities due to the ongoing and growing demand for our social services, additional income from supporters is always required. We have faced financial difficulties and challenges over the years, but today, at the end of its 11th year, Pathway is closer to achieving its goal. There are still financial challenges and needs to be met but the Trust now has momentum and is entering the second decade more determined than ever.

Governance

Pathway Trust is served by a Board of Trustees who aims to provide governance to the Pathway organisation. It is responsible for imparting and overseeing the vision and objectives of the Trust, fiscal responsibility, business management and pastoral care. The Trustees are supported by management and administration, social workers and supervisory staff.