Cool, calm, and collected—these words perfectly describe Owen Tomui, a Barnardos Aotearoa Youth Worker who positively impacts the lives of boys at Te Whare Haeranga, a supportive home for young men in New Zealand.

Owen's journey helping young people began before his role at Barnardos Aotearoa. Fuelled by his Samoan heritage and faith-based upbringing, Owen has naturally been drawn to helping others, particularly youth, from a young age.

"My background in church roles and my proud Samoan culture made supporting youth and people come naturally to me. I never imagined becoming a social worker, but many suggested I work with people because of my natural ability for helping people out, handling difficult situations and de-escalating them.”

Becoming a Barnardos Aotearoa Youth Worker

Straight out of Manukau Institute of Technology with a degree in social work, Owen took his first role as a social worker with Barnardos Aotearoa in 2016 in Tāmaki Makaurau. He supported tamariki and whānau through safety and parenting programmes before being seconded to a residential social work role at Te Whare Haeranga. He supported the boys for a short period before heading overseas to travel around the Pacific. After traveling, Owen returned to Barnardos Aotearoa in a casual role as a youth worker. Getting a taste of being a youth worker, he realised it was the role he wanted to continue to pursue.

“I missed doing ground-level work with youth because you really get to know them personally. You are with them every day, supporting their needs, and helping them achieve their goals.”

Owen's Impact at Te Whare Haeranga

Owen's dedication shines through in his work at Te Whare Haeranga. The home offers therapy and life skills development for boys who have experienced traumatic events and come through Oranga Tamariki. These boys face significant challenges and need structured support to regain stability and achieve their goals. The house can accommodate up to five boys, who stay for a period of six months to two years to complete their therapy.

“We get boys from many colourful cultures. Some come from well-off families, and others do not. People often think that only 'bad' or 'poor' boys need our help, but we also assist children from wealthy backgrounds who find themselves in difficult situations.”

"Seeing the small changes we can make makes this job worthwhile. If we can equip them with something valuable—even one thing—that's a success.

In addition to therapy, Owen and his team focus on teaching essential life skills, budgeting, and goal setting. They provide guidance and a supportive environment for boys who might lack these resources at home.

“It’s about setting them up for the future”

Staying connected with former residents is important to Owen. "A few weeks ago, a former resident reached out – he now has a partner and a baby. Seeing him thriving and witnessing his growth since leaving the home makes me feel really proud to have been part of his journey. He's come a long way, and it's inspiring to watch him succeed."

Owen's dedication to his work at Barnardos Aotearoa reflects his commitment to making a lasting impact on young people's lives. "It’s about setting them up for the future and opening their eyes to what’s out there and helping them realise their potential."