A new community partnership is helping ensure dozens of Pāpāmoa College students can head to school this winter with warm, dry feet.

The Pāpāmoa Food Hub has joined forces with The Warehouse Pāpāmoa to launch the Winter Shoe Program, providing 50 pairs of new winter shoes to students identified by the school as needing extra support.

The idea came from Pāpāmoa Food Hub founder Bruce Banks, who said the initiative grew from a desire to address practical barriers facing local families.

“If kids are not suitably dressed, it often highlights wider issues such as food insecurity or financial hardship,” Banks said.

He said the programme aligns with the Food Hub’s commitment to supporting local people with dignity and practical care.

“It’s about warm feet, less shame and giving students the ability to learn without absenteeism.”

Winter shoes from The Warehouse Pāpāmoa for Pāpāmoa College students. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Banks approached The Warehouse Pāpāmoa with the idea, and store manager Josh Nalder quickly came on board.

“When we heard about students coming to school without proper winter shoes, we knew this was something we wanted to support,” Nalder said.

“The Warehouse is part of this community, and we are proud to help make a positive difference for local kids and families. Sometimes a practical item like a pair of shoes can have a huge impact.”

The pilot project, valued at about $2000, has been funded through The Warehouse’s local community support programme, which is partly supported by sales of its reusable $1 shopping bags.

Pāpāmoa College principal Iva Ropati said the need is very real.

“Some families are struggling to meet basic needs,” he said.

“We are seeing more students taking advantage of our lunch and breakfast provisions. The colder months affect those students and consistently they come to school without school jackets or jumpers.”

Ropati said shoes are distributed discreetly to protect students’ privacy and mana.

“We have positive relationships with parents and whānau so the gift of shoes can be offered without any embarrassment and much appreciated,” Ropati said.

He believes proper footwear can have a significant impact on students’ confidence and school engagement.

“All young people just want to be the same in terms of fitting in and being part of our community. Dressed in the correct uniform provides them with a stronger sense of confidence and belonging.”

The Warehouse Pāpāmoa store manager Josh Nalder, Pāpāmoa Food Hub founder Bruce Banks and Pāpāmoa College principal Iva Ropati. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

He said when young people feel good about themselves, they generally do well overall in all aspects of social and learning contexts.

“Students thrive when they feel part of the team and are included. Their motivation to attend school regularly is a positive outcome when they are appropriately dressed, especially during the colder months of the year.”

The initiative also reflects the college’s wider focus on community connection.

“We don’t want to work in isolation but aspire to work in partnership with our wider community as one big team,” Ropati said.

Banks said Pāpāmoa’s strong community spirit made collaborations like this possible.

“Pāpāmoa is a tight-knit community. This pilot has shown us that when we work together, we can respond quickly and make a genuine difference where it is needed most.”

The Pāpāmoa Food Hub supported almost 800 people during 2025 and hopes to increase that by 50% this financial year, with plans to expand the Winter Shoe Program next year if further community support is available.

“Our goal has always been to stand in the gap for local families in practical ways,” he said. “When children have what they need to feel warm, confident and included at school, the whole community benefits.”