Springboard

02/06/2026

We are thrilled to see our founder, Gary Diprose, honoured as a member of the NZ Order of Merit in this year's King's Birthday Honours.
Gary is a pillar of our community, and his work over the past 24 years has brought us to where we are today.
Please join us in congratulating him for these years of dedication to our young people and our wider community.
Well done, Gary - you're a legend!

The official spiel:
To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For services to youth.

Mr Gary Diprose established the Springboard charitable trust in 2002 to support vulnerable young people in the Warkworth area.

In the early days of Springboard, Mr Diprose offered an alternative education programme for young people who had been excluded from mainstream school due to behavioural issues. He worked with local Police youth aid to expand the organisation to provide a wraparound support model for vulnerable children and their families. He has built Springboard up to purchase premises with an adjoining campground, with a full-time staff of around 40 and a fleet of vehicles supporting around 450 young people, having supported thousands over the years. The organisation now supports alternative education, a youth offenders programme, driver training, social worker support, mentoring and work placement programmes, and a programme working with young people who have left school and are not engaged in further education or work. Mr Diprose has directed Springboard to a high success rate of transforming the lives of young people affected by abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and dysfunctional family situations. As a result of Springboard’s work, the youth crime and re-offending rates in the Warkworth and Wellsford areas are at an all-time low. Springboard was recognised with AMP Capital People's Choice Award in 2017.

14/05/2026

Hi friends! There is still time to register for this awesome 6-week course.
Investing in whānau is so important, and we love being able to support you as you take time out to consider what is really important in the adventure of creating your whānau!
Email to register: [email protected] (or use link in bio)

Details:
Dates: Every Wednesday for 6 weeks, starting May 20
Time: 5:30 for dinner (provided) and 6pm-8pm for the course
Kids: If you can't get a babysitter, bring them with you!

13/05/2026

We have a heap of new and existing roles available at the moment, for those who are young in their careers and for those with a wealth of experience.
Whether it's at Springboard or Sheepworld, choose a job that makes a difference. Details on our website & role links are in our bio.
https://www.springboard.org.nz/staff-vacancies

06/05/2026

Hi everyone,
We're looking for two new team members who are ready to build trusted relationships with young people, walk beside them and champion them. These roles are part-time, fixed term, job-share based in Albany.

04/05/2026

Hi Community!
We're stoked to open the invite to all our local whānau to join us for our next Building Awesome Whānau course. This course is FREE (usually $65 per person) and runs every Wednesday night for 6 weeks from Wednesday 20 May.
Join us at 5:30 for dinner - the course runs from 6pm-8pm.
If you don't have a babysitter, just bring the kids along!
Email: [email protected] to register (or use the link in bio). Can't wait to see you!

A bit more about the course:
Over six engaging sessions, you’ll be guided to reflect on your past, explore opportunities for change, and be inspired to realise your dreams for your whānau. Designed through a hauora Māori lens, this course covers topics including:
• Building your whānau on aroha
• Strengthening and supporting whānau well-being
• Forming healthy boundaries
• Strengthening connection through good communication

29/04/2026

13/04/2026

We're looking for a compassionate and dedicated Teacher Aide to work with our Alternative Education team.
https://nz.seek.com/job/91380773

07/04/2026

Stop scrolling.

Make space in your day to fill it with hope.

We have so many wonderful young people finding success, updates about new programmes and events and we guarantee in reading this you'll find more hope that your algorithm would give you!

https://springboard.shorthandstories.com/Autumn2026/

20/03/2026

Come and see us at the A&P show! You can cuddle our cutest animals and support Springboard by getting a classic sausage sizzle for lunch!
Thanks to Pak N Save Warkworth and the Warkworth Butchery!

03/03/2026

Hey Community!

Update: it’s sold!

Thank you for all the interest and encouraging comments. We’ll keep you posted when we have more available!

One of the key things we do at Springboard is teach our young people practical skills that set them up for employment.
We currently have this great picnic table up for sale, built by awesome young people in our employment prep programme.
Be the envy of your friends with the only Springboard picnic table in Rodney (until we make more, at which point you will be part of an elite club)!
Made with sturdy, H3.2 treated timber, sanded to a smooth finish, it's good to go as is, or if you're feeling a different vibe that smooth finish is ready for you to stain/varnish/oil etc.
This table is selling for $520, and proceeds to go supporting our programmes uplifting the young people of our community.
First in, first served - however our employment programme runs throughout the year, so we are happy to pop you on a waiting list if you miss out this time.
To order, flick us an email: [email protected]

Thank you for supporting our young people!