1975-1985
Sully Paea arrived in Auckland in 1968 from Niue along with many other Niueans, drawn to the prospects of greater opportunity in New Zealand. Sully, along with many other youth, were caught up in issues with alcohol, drugs and gangs. He was in his early 20's and involved in the Stormtroopers in Otara. It was at this time he had a encounter with God, becoming a christian and started working with youth in Otara in the late 1970's. The youth he worked with were youth at risk and in trouble with the system. This was in a time when front-line youth work was in it's infancy and the social problems related to gangs and crime were on the rise. The East Tamaki Youth Resource Centre was established through the efforts of Sully Paea and the Otara community. Through the centre, many youth were given purpose and learnt various practical skills in things such as woodcarving and woodworking. Having grown fairly quickly as a successful organisation, in the mid 1980's Sully took a step back. Being the visionary and having lead the way, Sully saw needs in other areas to direct his attention to and moved his family to Christchurch.
