MEDIA RELEASE
August 24, 2025
Hands-on workshops give young people confidence, resilience and practical skills – and volunteers are needed to help it grow.
When Stu first got involved with ICONZ in Tauranga more than 20 years ago, he never imagined he’d one day be running mobile woodworking workshops that are changing young people’s lives.
“I kind of fell into it,” he laughs. “I’d just finished a diploma in children’s work when Boys’ Brigade asked me to help rebrand them to be more relevant. That’s how ICONZ (also known as Edge Workshop), began – and I’ve been working there ever since.”
What started as a youth programme has grown into a practical, hands-on initiative reaching schools and communities across Tauranga and beyond. ICONZ & Boys’ Brigade’s mobile workshops – fitted out in trailers that travel to schools and parks – give children the chance to learn woodworking skills, make useful projects, and most importantly, discover confidence and success in ways many have never experienced before.
“We work a lot with reluctant learners,” Stu explains. “Kids who may have challenges with literacy or numeracy, or who find school tough for different reasons. They’re often bright kids – they just need another way of learning. With woodworking, they can see and touch their progress. That success builds confidence that carries back into the classroom and their relationships.”
The results are striking. Stu has seen improved school attendance, more positive attitudes towards teachers, and children developing resilience and pride in their achievements. “One boy, who had been known as a ‘high flyer’ – which in school-speak often means trouble – completely turned around after a couple of workshops. He went from paying other kids to pick fights, to being voted ‘champ of the camp’ by his classmates. That transformation came from being given attention, encouragement, and the chance to succeed at something.”
The workshops don’t just produce individual projects to take home – they’ve also created memorial gardens, planter boxes (for example, at Merivale School), picnic tables and outdoor furniture for schools and the wider community. “The pride the kids take in seeing their work used by others is huge,” says Stu.
Recently, ICONZ has expanded its reach with “Workshop in the Park” sessions, a pilot programme funded by the council, at a space in Gate Pā. “We set up a barbecue, give the kids a feed, and then we get into the woodwork. The third session drew almost 30 kids, so now we’re splitting them into two groups each week, to fit them all in. It’s amazing to see the demand.”
Behind it all is Stu’s passion for young people, particularly those who can easily be misunderstood. “Some of the kids come from really challenging backgrounds. Large families, not much personal attention, sometimes real hardship. For them, having a safe place where they’re listened to, encouraged and able to achieve is life-changing.”
But the demand is greater than the small Tauranga team can meet. Stu is the only full-time worker, supported by two part-time staff and a growing team of volunteers. “I had a call recently from another organisation asking if we could help the children their social workers support – but right now we’re at capacity. The need is massive.”
That’s where volunteers come in. ICONZ Tauranga is currently looking for Workshop Mentors – people who can help children in small groups as they learn to use saws, hammers and drills safely, and encourage them along the way.
“You don’t need to be a builder,” says Stu. “If you’ve got an interest in kids and a willingness to encourage them, we can teach you the woodwork. We’ve had amazing young volunteers come through Volunteering Services recently, and we’d love more – including retirees who might have practical skills to share.” “We like to say- if you have blood and its pumping, you have what it takes”
While ICONZ is a Christian organisation, Stu is clear that the workshops respect the secular environment they work in, are about meeting schools and communities’ needs, and their motivations come from a genuine care to change lives for the better. “We’re here to serve. It’s about giving kids opportunities to succeed and grow.”
Looking ahead, Stu sees potential for more mobile workshops across Tauranga’s suburbs, and even partnerships with iwi to run programmes on marae. “The growth has to be sustainable, but the possibilities are exciting. Every time we set up, kids turn up. The need is right there.”
For now, the focus is simple – helping as many local children as possible build skills, confidence and brighter futures.
Stu says the support of Nicki and Angela at Volunteering Services has been a real game-changer. “They’ve opened doors for us,” he explains. Through their Seek Volunteer platform we’ve been able to advertise roles and connect with people who genuinely want to give their time. Their networks and relationships in the volunteering space have helped us find the right kind of people — those who share our passion for seeing kids thrive.”
ICONZ Tauranga is currently seeking Workshop Mentors and other support roles such as food prep and helping with games, to support its woodworking programmes in schools and the community. It would suit students to retirees! If you’d like to get involved or support this work, visit https://seekvolunteer.co.nz/volunteering-organisations/2718/iconz-boys-brigade-nz-tauranga for more details.
To learn more about Volunteering Services, visit www.volunteeringservices.org.nz or give us a ring on (07) 987 0920.
