Ratonga | Our Services
At the heart of everything we do at Te Hono o Nga Waka is a drive to address the needs and create positive outcomes for Māori in Te Tai o Poutini through delivering Māori-designed and led social, health, and educational services. Central to our mahi is enabling understandings of and encouraging healing for the impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma that many whānau Māori have inherited, as this is often closely related to the present challenges they face.
Our service delivery model is unique in that our team of kaimahi is comprised of those we have effectively helped in the past that have been upskilled and employed to give the support they have received back to others. In this sense, we are local whānau who understand and have experienced many of the challenges that whānau within our rohe are facing, and are therefore best placed to provide assistance how and when it is needed most.
The specific services that we provide cut across a wide range of areas and programmes, in partnership with a number of government agencies and other organisations that are committed to making positive impact. Broadly speaking, our services fit into six main kaupapa.
Matauranga Māori - learning, perspectives and practices to reconnect whānau to their Māori culture
Matauranga Māori focuses on enabling Māori to reconnect with and take pride in their cultural identity and heritage. We do this by engaging whānau in learning about their history as Māori; participating in various traditional activities such as mau rakau, kapahaka, weaving, ta moko, and waka ama; and providing opportunities immersive cultural experiences such as noho marae visits. We also offer whānau the chance to upskill themselves in te ao and te reo Māori, all intended to deepen their confidence and personal connection with their identity as Māori.
Physical hauora - initiatives to support whānau to have healthy bodies and live in healthy environments
Physical Hauora is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and physical wellbeing among whānau Māori in Te Tai o Poutini. We deliver a range of health-focused initiatives including healthy home assessments; immunisation drives; and bowel screening for at-risk whānau. We also incorporate traditional Māori health practices such as rongoā and mirimiri, ensuring whānau receive a holistic approach to fostering healthy bodies and living environments.
Personal hauora - initiatives and activities to promote self-respect and emotional wellbeing
Personal Hauora is focused on supporting whānau to reflect on and recognize their sense of purpose, their own emotional health and wellbeing, their coping strategies and the importance of self-worth and respect. We offer a safe space for whānau to be introspective and explore deeper emotions and experiences through our solutions-based therapy and general one-to-one support, while we also offer workshops on historical experiences that may have impacted whānau Māori over multiple generations, such as colonialism and other cultural and social injustices.
Whanau hauora - learning, activities and advocacy to support whānau to connect and thrive together
Whanau hauora fosters healthy and enduring relationships within and between whānau and hapu to enable them to connect deeply and support each other. Our services in this service kaupapa are designed to nurture whānau connections through wellness workshops in relevant areas that include: wahine/tāne wellbeing; supportive partnering; and effective parenting to equip parents with the tools they need to foster a safe and nurturing whare. We also provide social support and advocacy services to ensure that all whānau receive the assistance they require to improve their circumstances.
Thriving lifestyles - activities and advocacy to build skills and empower independent and successful livelihoods
Our Thriving Lifestyles service area is dedicated to helping whānau identify what a successful, thriving lifestyle looks like to them and what they will need to achieve this. This often includes further education and the development of the key skills required for empowering us with the knowledge and abilities we need to navigate and succeed in various aspects of life. For many, predictable income and financial stability are important for maintaining a desired quality of life and achieving long-term wellbeing.
Our services in this area include various forms of support for education and employment, providing temporary relief for those in hardship, and advocating for the needs of those who face challenges related to neurodiversity.
Community development - initiatives to build community, find belonging, and take care of those we live alongside.
Our Community Development service area is dedicated to building a strong, interconnected community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and an ability to contribute positively. Our initiatives encourage active participation in community life through volunteering, which offers avenues for giving back to our local community. We enable various community activities, including the establishment and maintenance of community gardens; food banks/drives to provide to those in need; and we facilitate community voice and mobilisation efforts, empowering residents to advocate for their needs and aspirations.
Our mata waka support ensures that even those from outside the local iwi have a place and voice within our community. Together, these efforts strengthen communal bonds and ensure that all members can thrive alongside one another in Te Tai o Poutini.
