Skip to content
KĀINGA
  • KO WAI MATOU
    About
  • TE ARONGA
    Our Mahi
    • Whānau Ora
    • Healthy Families
    • Breast & Cervical Screening
    • Hāpai Huānga Family Harm
    • Manu Tāpiki Mental Health & Addiction Services
    • Housing Navigation
    • Ngā Tini Whetu
    • Oro Tamariki
    • Hapū Ora Wānanga
    • Holistic Practitioner
  • NGĀ PUAPUA
    Our Collective
  • NGĀ WHAITUA
    Our Team
  • PŪ KŌRERO
    Newsletters
  • TONO MAHI
    Jobs
  • WHAKAPĀ MAI
    Contact
Menu
  • KO WAI MATOU
    About
  • TE ARONGA
    Our Mahi
    • Whānau Ora
    • Healthy Families
    • Breast & Cervical Screening
    • Hāpai Huānga Family Harm
    • Manu Tāpiki Mental Health & Addiction Services
    • Housing Navigation
    • Ngā Tini Whetu
    • Oro Tamariki
    • Hapū Ora Wānanga
    • Holistic Practitioner
  • NGĀ PUAPUA
    Our Collective
  • NGĀ WHAITUA
    Our Team
  • PŪ KŌRERO
    Newsletters
  • TONO MAHI
    Jobs
  • WHAKAPĀ MAI
    Contact
Facebook-f Youtube

“When you’re given the opportunity to do things differently, take it.”

Note: in the following story names and identifying details have been changed to protect the service user’s identity

Wiremu

I’ve been wanting to change since my babies were born – and I have. But there’s some things I still go back to.”

Since being released from his last stint, the 35-year-old’s been arrested for breaching his bail conditions numerous times, and even he concedes he should be in jail now. But the 35-year-old doesn’t want to go back. He’s had enough. And he says being on the Hāpai Huānga programme is a positive step for him.

“Ever since Tiheni and Chrissy (paeārahi) turned up at my house, good things have been happening in my life – I don’t know where to start.

“I have trust issues, but I clicked with Pat. I’ve done taiaha before, so I just got to enjoy it. There’s heaps of aroha and the boys are going hard. They’re willing to stick with you the whole way, and you help each other as a team.”

“I want to get as much as I can from this programme, including a different circle of friends. It would be mean if my bros could come but they’re just a bit shy.”

While others on the programme have confessed to having low self-esteem, Wiremu was at the other end of the scale. He suspects it contributed to some of his previous decisions, however he has a positive attitude and is looking forward to his new approach on life.

“I had heaps of confidence – maybe too much. But now I’m trying to do things differently. When you’re given the opportunity to do things differently, take it. But yes, I’ve had some shit days. And a man gets tired eventually. They say, ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’, but it can, and it does.”

Subscribe to our E-pānui

0800 004 554
reception@tearawawhanauora.org.nz
referral@tearawawhanauora.org.nz
1231 & 1218 Haupapa Street, Rotorua
1252 Eruera Street, Rotorua
Facebook-f Youtube
0800 004 554
Need Help?

Te Arawa Whānau Ora © 2023

Protection of Whānau Privacy

Website Design by Dubzz Digital Marketing

Need Help?

Self Referral

Access services for yourself or your whānau

Find Out More

Provider Referral

Submit a service referral on behalf of a client

Find Out More