Mapihi Raharuhi, Programme Lead for Waka Hourua and Michael Naera, Kia Piki Te Ora Project Leader at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, recently attended the Waka Hourua Suicide Prevention Hui in Auckland.
The day stared with a mihi whakatau where MC Adrian Te Patu welcomed Professor Sir Mason Durie who provided the opening address. The keynote speaker was Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean.
The day acknowledged some of those making a difference in Māori and Pacific Island suicide prevention. For Michael it was a day that:
Epitomised the work of Ngāti Pikiao in the suicide prevention field at both a local and national level."
Waka Hourua was established past Associate Minister Tariana Turia so that communities are given the opportunity to transform and make positive change within their own communities.
Photo: Nathaniel Lees (Actor from Sione’s Wedding and the Matrix)