December 2014: When they first sat with their Whānau Ora Paerahi, their moemoea (dream) was to build strength in their whānau by focusing on key goals related to improving their fitness, getting active and spending quality time together.

We recently reconnected with Hiria Noa and asked her how she and the whānau were doing.

“As a whānau we were quite disjointed and only thinking of ourselves and how to make ends meet from payday to payday. We didn’t have any dreams.”

Hiria and her whānau worked through their Whānau Ora PATH plan, which became the impetus for Hiria and her whānau to fulfill a number of personal achievements.

“My partner and I have managed to recently secure our gun licenses and we go out and hunt for our food and eradicate pests,” said Hiria.

Health and fitness continue to be a high priority, with the family taking an active role in working out together.

“We joined the gym and found that weekly whānau workouts really did us good and got our son off the couch and more into sports.”

“Our son played for Under 13 Pikiao League this was his first year in playing club league. He also got selected to play for the BOP Under 13 representative team which is amazing!

“They finished the season with having only lost one game to the Auckland NZ Maori’s. They went to Palmerston North and took out the Under 13 Nationals which was a highlight of their season. Our son is now off the couch and focused on playing sports and getting fit for next season,” exclaims Hiria proudly.

Hiria is adamant that Whānau Ora has played a positive role in transforming the lives of her whānau.

“We would never have realised our potential if we did not have someone open our eyes to the possibilities of dreaming” explains Hiria.

“Combined we really wanted to be more self sufficient, it’s how I was raised as a child. We lived off the land and the sea which I loved,” reminisces Hiria.  “Once I get my PADI, I can also get kai moana. My fruit trees are doing fantastic and we are on our way to being more in control of our lives.”

Education was also another area the whānau had pushed aside, but once the family began to get active and reach their health and fitness goals, they looked to enhancing their skills.

“I’ve started my Accounting diploma and now study after hours. Next I’ll look at getting my Business Management diploma.”

The journey of Hiria Noa and her whānau had indeed come full circle – from speaking the dream, to planning and then turning those goals into actions and achievements.

These positive affirmations then gave them direction and focus that gave them the opportunity to see what was in front of them.  The whānau are now able to turn to one another and ask – ‘What are our new dreams? What else do we want to accomplish?’

“Together we are unstoppable!”