TS ACHILLES Navy Cadets

At our December 2025 hui, HEART Project Fund Kaitiaki allocated funding to support the young people of TS ACHILLES Navy Cadets, a cadet unit based here in Tāmaki. We recently heard back from Georgia Bilby on how the koha has been put to use, and the difference it's making.

A good portion of the funding has gone toward supporting one of the unit's cadets from Tāmaki individually, helping cover costs that could otherwise have been a barrier to him staying involved. The funding has played a vital role in keeping him engaged in the programme.

The rest of the funding has gone toward covering transport costs for cadets more broadly - a cost that can easily become a barrier to participation, but makes all the difference in ensuring every young person has equal access to the opportunities on offer. One of the activities this has supported is the unit's Range Shoots over winter, held out at Whenuapai Air Base. Thanks to the funding, TS ACHILLES has been able to provide free van transport for these shoots, meaning any cadet who wants to take part can do so at no cost.

At the Range Shoots, cadets learn firearms safety, safe handling procedures, marksmanship principles, breathing techniques, and self-discipline, putting these skills into practice through competitions both within the unit and externally.

Programmes like this matter far beyond the skills taught on the day. When rangatahi are given structure, mentorship, and a sense of belonging within a unit, it builds confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of identity that carries into every other part of their lives. For many young people, being part of something like TS ACHILLES offers positive role models, a supportive peer group, and a place to feel valued - all things we know help protect against harm and build the foundation for healthy relationships later in life. Investing in rangatahi today is investing in the wellbeing of our whole community tomorrow.

In their words,

Georgia and the team at TS ACHILLES shared this with us:

"A massive ngā mihi for your support of TS ACHILLES Navy Cadets and helping us remove barriers to participation for our young people! Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai."

Removing barriers so rangatahi can fully take part - whether that's one cadet being able to stay in a programme that matters to him, or a whole unit having transport sorted so no one misses out - is exactly the kind of mahi the HEART Project Fund exists to support.

Ngā mihi nui to Georgia Bilby and everyone at TS ACHILLES Navy Cadets for the mahi they do with our rangatahi, and to our HEART Project Fund Kaitiaki for backing this kaupapa.

Find out more about TS ACHILLES Navy Cadets at achilles.org.nz

Want to find out more about the HEART Project Fund, or apply for support for your own idea? Get in touch at kiaora@heartmovement.org.nz