Soul Brothers 274: A Powerful Movement Of Identity, Music And Positive Change For Ōtara Youth

A powerful community-led movement is gaining momentum in Ōtara, as Men’s Health Trust New Zealand and the Ōtara Scorpions Rugby League Club continue to roll out Soul Brothers 274 - a grassroots initiative proudly enabled by ROCC, supporting communities to respond to harm in ways that are locally led, socially grounded, and enduring.

At the heart of the initiative is a dynamic 7-week development programme, currently underway, engaging more than 100 rangatahi through rugby league, mentoring, and workshops that cover life skills, financial literacy, education around organised crime and drug harm, pathways into employment, and wellbeing workshops. Delivered from the Scorpions’ home in Ōtara, the programme is designed to build resilience, strengthen whānau connections, and create positive pathways away from organised crime and methamphetamine harm.

But this is more than a programme.

Running alongside the workshops is the creation of the Ōtara Proud Song: A community anthem co-created by local young people, capturing the voice, identity and pride of Ōtara.

Led by respected local artist Brother D (of Dawn Raid Entertainment), the song is being written and produced in real time with rangatahi as they move through the programme. Each week, participants contribute lyrics, ideas and lived experiences - turning their journey into music.

The project seeks to challenge the narrative often associated with Ōtara.

Soul Brothers 274 and the Ōtara Proud initiative are shining a light on what is equally true - a community rich in culture, resilience, leadership and talent.

“Resilience sits at the heart of this kaupapa,” says Tony Mitchell, Chair of Men’s Health Trust New Zealand. “Soul Brothers 274 isn’t a one-off initiative, it’s about walking alongside communities, building long-term capacity, and ensuring our young people and their families have the tools and support they need to thrive. The Ōtara Proud Song is a powerful expression of identity and belonging, created by the very young people this programme exists to support.”

The journey will culminate in Ōtara Proud Day on Saturday, May 2nd, where the song will be performed live for the first time at the Ōtara Scorpions’ season opening - bringing together whānau, community, sport and culture in a celebration of identity and pride.

“Our motto is Togetherness, Foreverness, and that’s exactly what this partnership stands for,” says Willie Maea, President of the Ōtara Scorpions Rugby League Club. “This is about our people leading the way, creating a safe and supportive space where our kids, whānau and community can grow stronger together. The Ōtara Proud Song is something our young people can stand behind, something that represents who they are and where they’re from.”

The initiative draws inspiration from the cultural impact of songs like How Bizarre by OMC, which brought global attention to Ōtara, but this time, the story is being told collectively, by the next generation.

Looking beyond 2026, Soul Brothers 274 is focused on establishing a sustainable, scalable model anchored in community. Central to this is the Ōtara Proud Platform — an online hub and directory connecting rangatahi and whānau to real opportunities and support services across local providers, industry partners and civic organisations.

Designed as both a digital and community-driven gateway, the platform brings together mentoring, education, employment, wellbeing services and community programmes in one place. It is intended to outlive the programme itself - acting as an ongoing front door to pathways, support and positive engagement.

Alongside this, Ōtara Proud Day will evolve into an annual celebration of identity, resilience and aspiration.

This is not just about changing perception. It is about creating pathways, and backing them with real support.

© Scoop Media