One community shaping Aotearoa’s tech future: The Cause Collective

450 rangatahi. Two days. A buzz of curiosity and excitement.  

Last month, The Cause Collective opened the doors of its South Auckland Creative & Tech Hub (SACTH), in Wiri to more than 450 young people, offering an inspiring, hands-on look at what’s possible in the worlds of technology and creativity. 

Across two dynamic days, rangatahi immersed themselves in everything from AI and robotics to virtual reality, gaming, music tech, cybersecurity and digital storytelling. For many, this was a first-time introduction to these tech and creative areas. But this was more than a showcase – it was a chance to explore real-world pathways, be connected directly with industry professionals, and most importantly, see themselves reflected in the people who are already building careers in these spaces. 

“That representation, sense of belonging, and possibility sits at the heart of The Cause Collective’s work. There are so many warm and wonderful people making this happen. Being there allowed us to see first-hand the rangatahi having fun and being so engaged while they learn.” 

Liz Tindall Tetro, The Tindall Foundation

Based in South Auckland, the Creative & Tech Hub is designed as a gateway – a grass roots place where young people can be inspired, access technology, and build the skills needed for future creative projects and meaningful employment. With a strong focus on Pacific peoples and rangatahi Māori, the hub is helping to create “jobs for the future” in sectors that are rapidly growing, but where access has not always been equitable. The Cause Collective also has engaged 3,500 rangatahi through the mobile tech van, bringing hands-on learning directly into communities. 

In just three years, The Cause Collective’s SATCH programme has seen:

These numbers tell only part of the story. Behind each is a young person gaining confidence, building skills, and stepping into futures that once may have felt out of reach. 

As Danny Leaoasava’ii, Creative Lead for the Cause Collective, and leading SATCH reflects:

“With a helping hand up from The Tindall Foundation, we have been able to offer the South Auckland rangatahi an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in an Incredible industry that only has 4% Pasifika and 4.4% Māori participation.

In the next 5yrs we would like to grow these numbers, a 50% increase of the 4% will see thousands of Pasifika and Māori rangatahi enter an industry where sadly, Pasifika and Māori rangatahi are being left behind”.

Danny Leaoasava’ii

This work is grounded in a bigger vision. The Cause Collective exists to support Pacific people and South Auckland communities to live their best lives – achieving aspirations for good health, social, economic and environmental wellbeing, while contributing to a thriving Aotearoa. Their mission is to create the conditions for communities to thrive not just today, but for generations to come. And their vision is both simple and powerful: this generation will win the next generation. 

Events like this bring that vision to life. 

For many of the young people who attended, it wasn’t just about trying something new – it was about recognising that a future in tech or the creative industries is within reach. It was about building confidence, sparking curiosity, and opening doors that might otherwise have felt closed. 

At The Tindall Foundation, we’re proud to support work like this – initiatives that are deeply grounded in community, connection, and long-term impact. Our first donation to The Cause Collective in 2024 marked the beginning of a partnership that focused on backing locally led solutions that create high-value opportunities for rangatahi. 

We believe we can help create an Aotearoa where both people and our planet thrive by prioritising our giving on equitable access to opportunities and pathways that enable rangatahi to lead empowered and self-determined lives.