3 Bags Full

Brittany Teei, a former top-tier junior tennis player, transformed personal adversity into community impact by founding 3 Bags Full (3BF). Her initiative started by training local youth through her financial literacy platform, KidsCoin, and evolved into a digital skills training and recruitment programme co-designed with high school students. During COVID-19, she scaled the programme to support displaced workers, injecting over $1 million into local communities. Today, 3BF prepares Māori and Pasifika youth for tech careers through a flexible, interest-led, and kaupapa Māori-informed model.

“Our rangatahi are our navigators—they lead, we guide and support.”
Brittany Teei
Co-Founder and CEO of Company
Te Rarawa, Cook Island

What Sets Them Apart

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3BF’s model prioritises rangatahi leadership, personalised learning, and community integration. It blends digital upskilling with financial literacy, personal development, and cultural values. By avoiding traditional education constraints, 3BF leverages micro-credentials and builds strong whānau and industry partnerships. Youth co-design the curriculum, making the programme relevant, adaptable, and rooted in local tikanga.

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Tauārai - Barriers

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Major barriers include limited funding to meet programme demand, systemic bias in the tech industry, and pressure from stakeholders to conform to traditional education models. There's also a persistent gap in uptake for financial literacy, and challenges in scaling while maintaining flexibility and authenticity. Differences in iwi priorities require customised approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

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Recommendations

  • Embrace tech as a complementary tool alongside traditional Māori practices.
  • Offer flexible, personalised learning pathways aligned with individual interests.
  • Integrate financial literacy, personal development, and whānau engagement.
  • Co-design with rangatahi and tailor programmes to local tikanga and iwi needs.
  • Create diversified funding models to support growth and long-term impact.
  • Strengthen industry partnerships by aligning with hiring needs and cycles.
  • Advocate for inclusive hiring practices and address structural bias.

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Why It Matters
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3BF demonstrates how culturally responsive tech education can create sustainable opportunities for Māori and Pasifika youth. It empowers rangatahi to lead, strengthens whānau and hapū, and offers a proven model for bridging the digital divide. Brittany’s approach proves that with the right support, young people can be the drivers of economic transformation in their communities.

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Photo © Denizen

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