Sept 2014: Healthy Families NZ is a new $40 million initiative which aims to improve people’s health where they live, learn, work and play in order to enhance wellbeing and promote healthy lifestyles.

Together, Kowhai Health Associates and Te Arawa Whānau Ora will recruit a dedicated health promotion workforce who will work across schools, early childhood education centres, workplaces, and sports clubs, supporting Rotorua communities to make healthy living choices.
We are really pleased that Te Arawa Whanau Ora is a partner in this new innovative initiative. Whanau Ora in Te Arawa is about supporting all families to become resilient and achieve their dreams and aspirations. Healthy Families shares a similar kaupapa (vision) in that it encourages whānau to live healthy and active lives." said Ms Ngaroma Grant, Te Arawa Whānau Ora Collective Project Manager."Our experience working with whānau in the whānau ora space, tells us that goals related to health & wellbeing are the single most desired goals that families have," explains Ms Grant.

Te Arawa Whānau Ora research suggests that overwhelmingly families who participate in Whānau Ora achieve their health and well-being goals. "By working together even more whānau can be supported to make the positive changes not only their own health and wellbeing, but to their whānau as a whole," says Ms Grant.

"We are also excited to be working in this collaborative space alongside Kowhai Associates and feel this is a really positive way for organisations to work together to effectively support our community."

From October 2014, Healthy Families NZ will roll out to 10 communities – East Cape, the Far North District, Invercargill, Lower Hutt, Rotorua, Whanganui, Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura, Spreydon-Heathcote and Waitakere. It is expected to reach approximately 900,000 New Zealanders.