Noradene Paniora (The Mental Health Foundation) Mapihi Raharuhi (Waka Hourua, Te Rau Matatini) and Michael Naera (Kia Piki te Ora Collective Provider representative) recently presented to 700-1000 Māori women at the Māori Womens Welfare League National Conference in Tauranga.

The aim of the group was to deliver key messages on leadership and to ensure wāhine Māori are at the forefront of this kaupapa.

The result was incredibly positive, with Mr Naera saying "we believe as a team we achieved our goal more than what we had expected. We felt ngā wāhine, via the constant feedback we received, took on what we had to say and are now looking at steps to take it further in their own regions. This is great news! We were also pleased that each attendee received our resource pack.

In addition to their presentation, all three organisations promoted a range of suicide prevention resources over three days at their event stall. Those who visited shared their own insights around the importance of addressing whakamomori in their whānau and communities.

Photo: Māori Women's Welfare League