Our Mahi

When Hinehuirangi Reti signed up with Te Arawa Whānau Ora four years ago, her grandparents owned the whānau homestead in Mangakino. The house needed repairs, and with her nan’s health failing, Hinehuirangi wanted her to be comfortable.

Hunia Rogers is one of Te Arawa Whānau Ora’s newest paeārahi, running the Manatiaki (self-care) programme at Te Waiariki Purea Trust.

Wiremu Ratahi had completed Korowai Aroha’s Tāne Takitū Ake programme before moving on to the Whaimua programme in February this year.

Mere Kiripatea is adamant that she wouldn’t have made it this far without her faith and Whaimua.

"There’s just something about being home and connecting your art, particularly your Māori art, to the whenua."

Forty-nine-year-old, Robert Hodge, says he enrolled on Te Arawa Whānau Ora’s learner licence course, delivered by Maketu Health & Social Services, because of the opportunities it would give him with his job and further prospects to upskill himself.

Twelve whānau who at one time couldn’t walk a few minutes without becoming breathless, successfully completed the city’s annual around-the-lake relay this month.

And if her netball achievements to date are anything to go by, her childhood dream is well within reach.

Patrick Mohi is a paeārahi for Rotorua Police offender advocate programme, Hāpai Huānga, delivered through Te Arawa Whānau Ora.

'Wiremu' has spent a long time behind bars. “I’ve been in and out of jail most of my days. I’m not proud of it but things happen. I’ve got three kids. My oldest will be five next month and my twins are three.

'Arapeta' went from being stuck in his bedroom all day, to being honoured as ‘top warrior’ at a wānanga mau taiaha.

Joining a gang was the likely next step for 19-year-old, Rawiri. The new father was living in a small Waikato town and says he was a bit lost and getting himself into trouble.

While being asthmatic brought Nicola Best to the Whaimua programme, overcoming acute shyness was an unexpected and positive outcome.

Last year, Kathleen Tapsell didn’t expect to make it to Christmas.

Russell Cole says the Whaimua programme has given him an incentive to keep going.

Whakawhanaungatanga is playing a significant role in the health and wellbeing of participants on the Whaimua respiratory programme, delivered by Korowai Aroha & Te Arawa Whānau Ora

Awatea Waiariki initially signed-up with Te Waiariki Purea to get his driver licence. He’s now taking centre-stage in a professional musical show.

In February 2017, Paere Hunuhunu received a phone call from Te Arawa Whānau Ora screening paeārahi, June Grant, encouraging her to have a mammogram, which are free for eligible women aged 45 to 69 years.

Murupara mother, Gwenyth Howden, had just got her life on track with the help of Te Arawa Whānau Ora, when a previous brush with the law set her back to square one.

Paulla Whatuira is a Te Arawa Whānau Ora paeārahi based at Te Ika Whenua in Murupara. She says it’s a big job, and while she wishes there were ‘two of her’, the role’s rewarding and she gets a lot of satisfaction out of it.

In 2018, Rahera Reweti and her whānau of six children, husband, and father-in-law, became part of the Whare Ora project, delivered by Te Arawa Whānau Ora. Most of the house improvements were based on her father-in-law’s deteriorating health.

Queenie hasn’t looked back since walking into the Whānau Ora office in Mangakino five years ago. She didn’t know it at the time, but paeārahi Leanne Karauna was going to help set the local mother and her then 12-year-old son on a journey of self-determination and ambition through a personalised Whānau Ora plan, involving aspirations and goals.

When participants see their scores increase, their confidence soars, and they realise they can pass the driving test.

Annette Black had been living overseas in locations where transport was either provided or not required – so she openly admits she’s not the best driver.

Shilo Moke has secured employment after successfully undertaking the Huarahi Ora driver licence programme this year.

Whānau Ora paeārahi, Lorraine Hall, describes the service she provides as “a one-stop-shop"

A Mangakino teen is thriving in his farming career and his boss says on the path he’s on, he could be in management one day.

Te Arawa Whānau Ora Paeārahi, Pirihira Whata says her role in helping whānau has been a constant in her life.

Carver, Ray Ngamotu hadn’t picked up a chisel in 20 years until he found help and support through Whānau Ora.

“Each day I consider it an honour to be in this position and support  and be an advocate for our whānau", explains Leanne Karauna (Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane Kai Tahu).  Born and raised in Mangakino, Leanne Karauna says being a Paeārahi feels like it has been a life-long role.

Danielle Karauna credits the encouragement of Whānau Ora for being able to unite her family and help her achieve her goals in life.

Sarndra Mear doesn’t consider the people she helps as clients.  For the Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa (TPTOTA) paeārahi, it is a much closer relationship.

A Rotorua teenager says the transformation in his life was from the help he received through his Whānau Ora plan.

Find your kaupapa, find that which drives you and run with it!

Ahakoa te nui o ngā ngaru o te moana, ka pakarū e te ihu o te waka.  No matter how huge the waves of the ocean, they will be overcome and broken by the sharp prow of the waka.

With his unique background and skills, Paeārahi Marcus Ridge says that developing empowered leaders of tomorrow is his biggest aspiration for the whānau he supports.

Seeing his children drawing on themselves, was one of the triggers that pushed Graham Thomas to get rid of his tattoos.

Helping whānau reach mauri ora is what paeārahi Pipi Tukaokao enjoys about her role at Maketu Health and Social Services.

A Mangakino teen is loving his new career pathway thanks to the help of a Te Arawa Whānau Ora paeārahi.

Lead paeārahi for Te Arawa Whānau Ora says it’s the “small stuff” she gets a buzz from while working with whānau.

It’s been a bit of switch from working with youth to whānau but it’s a change Korowai Aroha paeārahi, Lorraine Hall is enjoying.

Paeārahi Shona Charteris helped 65-year-old ‘Koro’ in May who had no identification, no address and no bank account. It was a chance meeting with his niece that led him to be able to move off the streets and be with whānau.

Mangakino Whānau Ora has some new faces who are dedicated to seeing their community living healthier lives by having access to dryer, warmer homes.

Connie Dick insists she has no need for her walking frame since moving back into her refitted Mangakino home.

Keeping warm in the sun outside Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao has led to a rough sleeper finding a home and most importing reconnecting with his whānau.

He Whakatauākī Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Engari, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.

With the coming of the summer holidays and soon, the New Year, we want to reflect over the last 12 months. To those who generously allowed us to share their stories, ka nui te mihi ki a koutou, thank you for these taonga!

Understanding that we have the ability to change our circumstances is empowering, but the road to that understanding sometimes requires expert guidance and support.

Aroha and Travis were hoping life would be a little bit easier but as a young couple with 3 tamariki all under the age of four they had their work cut out for them.

Sometimes the journey to independence is a long and difficult road to travel, other times all it takes is the right plan and a bit of determination.

Growing up is hard for most kids but when you try to do it on your own, it becomes even harder.

A house offers whānau a sense of stability, safety and security.

For two rangatahi living on whānau papakāinga in Maketu, it was the guidance and support of their beloved Nan, who helped them realise their full potential.

For Kim Richards (Te Arawa - Ngāti Tura/Ngāti Te Ngākau, Ngāti Awa - Ngai Tamaoki/Ngai Tamawera me Tūhoe - Ngāti Haka Patuheuheu), paeārahi for Te Arawa Whānau Ora, working with whānau to use their strengths to achieve their dreams is what she loves most.

When choosing a path in life, sometimes it’s not one big step you need to focus on, but the series of small incremental ones that lead you to your destination.

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga, fill your basket of knowledge. This whakatauki reflects the importance of searching for knowledge, something that Te Puke local Rawiri Biel has sought his whole life.

Shining light, Lester Karaitiana has emerged from the most recent intake of the Tāne Takitu Ake programme and he is a changed man.

For Ani Kelly, paeārahi at Te Roopu a Iwi o Te Arawa, the work she does now, she has done most of her life.

Not all young people understand how critical planning is, but Tipene James is different. As Tipene prepares for Year 13 at Rotorua Boys High School, he is keenly aware of how important planning is, not only for himself, but also as a whānau member.

When it comes to whānau reaching their potential, Laurie Watt, Pouwhakahaere at Korowai Aroha, is passionate about supporting them on their journey.

For rangatahi, having a plan for the future isn't something that always comes naturally, often we have goals we'd like to achieve, but nothing solid, nothing written down. As a result, sometimes it feels like we're floating without direction or focus. 

Ange Tipu (Ngāti Pikiao) has worked within the Whānau Ora space for many years and has worked for the past two years as paeārahi for Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO).

Imagine being struck down by excruciating soreness in your knees and joints, huge pressure pushing on your legs and arms and hot searing pain traveling down your back.

Seven new paeārahi have joined Te Arawa Whānau Ora through each of the seven organisations that make up the Collective. Over the coming months we'll profile each one, you are welcome to contact them directly through their organisation.

At 58 years old, Barbie Tepania, a mother to 5 grown children and a nanny to 12 beautiful mokopuna, knew that she was simply too young to submit to the cancer that had invaded her body.  Sadly, to focus on her tinana Whaea Barbie had to leave the mahi she was so passionate about.

Maia knew the importance of planning for the future. This gutsy single mama of two active young children had made significant changes in her life after engaging in a Whānau Ora plan through Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, a provider within the Te Arawa Whānau Ora Collective.

For Kelly Wattie, her partner and their children, the journey to self-discovery and self-reliance began after making the decision to move home to her turangawaewae.

Give whānau the answer and they'll only have a temporary solution. Teach them how to find their own answers, and they will be able to develop and create their own solutions for a lifetime.

We may stumble, we may fall but life is about finding the support and the motivation to get back up again despite the odds.

Spending a lifetime caring and supporting others doesn't always prepare you for being looked after yourself.

Often with the birth of a new year, we look forward to new priorities, new projects, new goals and new commitments. Often, however, whānau don't pause to look back over the accomplishments and challenges they faced in the past to get a better sense of direction and focus going forward.

Over a year ago we shared the Whānau Ora journey of the Noa, Bowsher and Bider whānau...

Alycia is a creative young single mother with four lovely girls. Although she left school at 16, Alycia knew the value of education and continued taking adult courses in computing and business administration with a dream to one day run her own ‘upcyling’ furniture business.

Many whānau begin their Whānau Ora journey because they need extra support to overcome key challenges they are faced with in life. This was the case for kuia Manu Wineti (Ngāti Rangiwewehi), whom after raising a whānau of her own was forced to make a series of brave new decisions.

"Seeing a smile and hearing laughter where it has been absent" says paeārahi Winsome Harvey (Waitaha, Tapuika) for Maketu Health and Social Services is what she finds most memorable when it comes to the whānau she helps guide and support.

When Marama (Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa) first started out on her own, she faced considerable challenges while living far from home.

Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO) can help whānau in really big ways. Quite often we hear about the small successes that Whānau Ora brings, and in the case of the Morgan-Tule whānau (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāi Tūhoe) it definitely started off that way, but as time went on those small successes began to grow.

Hinehou Stoneham (Whakatohea, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu) truly enjoys her mahi, and works actively on the ground to support whānau to realise and achieve their goals.

(By Taupopoki McLeod) 'A key strength of any whānau is the foundation of history. Knowing where you come from and where you are heading", it was this profound understanding that underpinned the Ēhau whānau wānanga which was held in 2014.

Staff at Te Roopu a Iwi o Te Arawa (also known as Maatua Whāngai) are walking the talk and have just started week 2 of their 12 week Te Ara Hauora challenge.

For Canaan Tuhura (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Ngāti Maniapoto) paeārahi at Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa, "Whānau Ora is about empowering our iwi, hapū, marae, whānau and community to support them in striving for excellence and creating a plan that allows them to achieve their goals and aspirations".

For Bobby Howard (Ngāpuhi, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tamanuhiri) Whānau Ora is about whānau realising their own potential and achieving it by living according to their dreams and aspirations.

As we head into the wet and cold winter months the township of Mangakino is slowing down after their annual summer rush.

For Hotorene Brown (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) the shock came when he was told at the age of 37 that if he didn't change his lifestyle his three young sons would grow up without him.

Understanding the challenges families face is critical to successful outcomes; it's for this reason that Te Roopu a Iwi o Te Arawa Trust - Maatua Whāngai paeārahi, Jackie Epapara has been so effective.

Recently we shared the powerful journey of Whaea Louise Leef who told a story of facing one of life's greatest challenges, the fight against cancer, and of how she has used her own resilience and joy to keep herself strong.

Nadine Steele has been wanting to write a children's book for almost 15 years. But it wasn't until making a Whānau Ora plan that she was able to make that dream become a reality.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao recently welcomed, Paearahi, Moewaka Trotman (Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao) from Ruato Bay, Rotoiti. Ms Trotman will be supporting and navigating whānau through their Whānau Ora plans.

For Louise Leef (Tainui, Ngāpuhi) finding out the cancer she had 11 years ago had returned made her even more determined that the legacy she would leave for her mokopuna would be one of positivity, healthy living and strength.

When people plan, most do so just for themselves and their close family, they might plan a birthday or an overseas trip.

I whānau mai tēnei hunga ki roto o te rohe o Ngā Puhi, erangi rā he uri nō Ngāti Haa me Ngai Te Rangiita o Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

The tight-knit community of Mangakino now has a new paeārahi to support whānau wishing to dream, plan and create positive change within themselves and within their whānau.

Greater insight and awareness, that is what Adrienne Whitewood, an emerging Rotorua-based fashion designer, developed as a direct result of her Whānau Ora plan. Adrienne is a nationally recognised award winning designer who recently had one of her premiere pieces picked to be part of the Auckland Museum’s Māori Collection.

Building a solid foundation on which hapū tikanga and kawa could be shared and passed on was the primary goal of the Mihaka, Rikiti, Morehu and Nelson whānau.

The warming rays of Tama-nui-te-rā greeted all those who came to attend the whakatau held at Taharangi Marae to welcome Ange Tipu (Ngāti Pikiao) as the new Paearahi Coordinator for Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO).

Developing a whānau plan can initially feel like a daunting task, the idea of putting dreams to paper however, had the opposite effect for the Noa, Bowsher and Bider whānau.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao continues to see progress amongst the whānau they work with and support.

Wharekauri (Chatham Islands) located roughly 680 kilometres southeast of New Zealand, consists of about ten islands within a 40-kilometre radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island.

For Ann Kururangi (Ngāti Porou,  Te Whānau-a-Apanui and Rongowhakaata), paeārahi (navigator) at Korowai Aroha Health Centre, the part of the job she loves the most is when "the light goes on" and she becomes witness to that moment when "whānau realise that their dreams, really, can come true".

Feeling disconnected from whānau, whenua and the values and beliefs of past generations was part of what compelled one whānau to begin their Whānau Ora journey.

For the Rodgers whānau, dealing with the past was one of the most important steps their whānau had to take to help build towards a positive future. But it wasn't easy.

Plagued by health problems, William Taki was told by his doctor to get on a bike. Now, a year on, the Rotorua man is out biking almost every day and is reaping the benefits.