About Our Founding Director
Paul Whatuira - Founding Director
Paul Whatuira is the Founding Director of Mana Futures and creator of Internal Strength. A respected mentor, coach, and leader, Paul has spent years working alongside rangatahi, as both an NRL Wellbeing Manager and as the Director of Internal Strength, here and in Australia. He has helped 1000s of young people build confidence, discipline, and belief to succeed in life, sport, and mahi.
Ngā Uara - Our Values
Whakapono | Belief
Whānau & Community Powered
Whakapono | Belief
We believe in rangatahi before they believe in themselves.
Our programmes are designed to shift mindset, not just behaviour.
Mahi with Purpose
Whānau & Community Powered
Whakapono | Belief
We don’t do performative good.
Everything we deliver has intent, structure, and real-world application—preparing rangatahi for life, not just the programme.
Whānau & Community Powered
Whānau & Community Powered
Whānau & Community Powered
Change sticks when it’s collective. We work alongside whānau, schools, clubs, and communities to create environments where rangatahi can thrive long after we leave.
Future-Focused
Whānau & Community Powered
Whānau & Community Powered
We build for tomorrow.
That means skills, confidence, cultural grounding, and pathways that translate into opportunity, income, and leadership over time.
Rangatahi Voices
Anonymous
“Before Mana Futures, I didn’t think I was good at anything. Having someone believe in me and push me changed how I see myself. I’m back at school now and actually thinking about my future.”
Jayden 17, Auckland
“Mana Futures helped me back myself. I learned discipline, confidence, and how to stay focused when things get hard. It’s not just talk — it’s real support.”
Anonymous
“Seeing people who look like me and come from where I come from succeed made me realise I could do it too. I stopped giving up so quickly.”
Aroha 19, Wellington
“The biggest thing I gained was belief. I started setting goals and actually following through. I’m proud of who I’m becoming.”
Sarah, 20 Wellington
“The Mana Futures team didn’t try to fix me. They helped me see my strengths and take responsibility for my choices. That made all the difference.”