Prior to closing, Te Hurihanga in Hamilton provided a turning point for high-risk youth with on average 21 prior offences. Due to a lack of funding agoge provided free forklift training to youth exiting the programme.

In April 2007, a new and innovative rehabilitation programme was piloted in Hamilton. Youth Horizons Trust established Te Hurihanga, a bi-cultural programme targeting 14 to 17 year olds with a high risk of re-offending, with the objective of reducing frequency and severity of offending. On average, participants entered the programme with 21 prior proven offences, committed 2.3 times per month.

Te Hurihanga which loosely translates to “the turning point”, was a residential and training programme, tailored to each individual and lasting between 9 and 18 months. Twenty two young men completed the programme with re-offending rate reduced by 82%, and a reduction in crime severity.

In May agoge provided Dept of Labour approved forklift training for a number of the youth from the trust. Agoge’s core value is “People Matter” says Jim Grafas, National Training Leader. “We were proud to be involved with the programme in an effort to provide assistance, at no cost, to enable the youth to have additional skills for the future. For some of them this is the first course they have ever past and assisted in building their confidence and self esteem. “

Due to lack of government funding, Te Hurihanga closed it’s doors on June 22^nd 2010, with members of the community making comments such as:

"If there was no Te Hurihanga I firmly believe the only future for the majority of these young men would be to spend most of their adult lives in prison. Te Hurihanga gives them the chance and skills to survive and become productive members of society." (Lance Tebbutt, Hamilton police community youth services officer in charge)

"If you can stop a person from being a long-term criminal, you save victim costs – that's first and foremost. Then policing costs, justice costs and the costs of long-term imprisonment. We have evidence it works. The graduates are all employed and paying their own taxes." (Cath Handley, Youth Horizons Chief Executive)