1000+ supported by Te Arawa Whanau Ora

Over 1000 individual whānau members are leading happier, healthier, more successful lives as a result of eight passionate and committed Māori organisations working at the coalface to help whānau find success.

The key milestone was reached by the Te Arawa Whānau Ora Collective, with over 330 whānau having now been supported and guided by the eight organisations that make up the collective since their launch in 2013.

Each of these families have sought to change their lives by dreaming, planning and working towards achieving their goals. Whānau, together with their Paearahi (navigator) learn to create plans that allow them to use their skills and expertise to overcome challenges and find success by achieving their goals.

Paearahi Coordinator, Ange Tipu, says Te Arawa Whānau Ora is about supporting whānau to be successful on their own terms.

“While all families are unique, those whānau who come to us have many similar self-defined wishes, to be healthy and fit, to eat right and exercise more. Increasingly we are finding that whānau as a result of making their plans, are able to quit smoking and are now experiencing significant health benefits as a result. Our whānau know that their diet is critical and many have been given support to grow mara kai and assistance in modifying their food choices”.

In addition to health and well-being goals many whānau have been able to enhance educational opportunities, increase their financial literacy, locate more appropriate housing, find employment and reconnect to one another through wānanga.

Project Manager, Ngaroma Grant, adds, ”Whānau Ora works because each whānau define their own goals and with the support of Paearahi, they work towards achieving those goals, using their existing strengths, skills and experience. The confidence they build as a result gives them the resilience to continue, thereby creating a cycle of success.”

“We are incredibly humbled to have been part of the journey, to watch as whānau reach their goals. The tools they develop from their experience will impact on generations to come.”

About Te Arawa Whānau Ora

The collective comprises eight Te Arawa based health and social service providers: Aroha Mai Cancer Support; Korowai Health Services; Maketu Health & Social Services, Te Roopu a Iwi o Te Arawa Charitable Trust; Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa; Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, Te Waiariki Purea Trust and Wera Aotearoa Charitable Trust.

ENDS.

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