Vaping perspectives revealed
Findings from a photovoice exercise reveal how vaping is perceived within Rotorua and highlight the transformative potential of involving communities in health and systems change. Ngā Uru Kahika, a coalition of organisations dedicated to reducing smoking harm, employed this action research method to capture community perspectives through visual storytelling. Healthy Families Rotorua systems innovator, Teteira […]
Our Kai Māori Legacy
Healthy Families Rotorua was thrilled to co-facilitate the Rongoā Waitawhara: E Kai! wānanga this month, bringing together whānau and community members for a hands-on experience in integrating rongoā Māori and traditional Māori cooking. Led by chef Joe McLeod and his dedicated team from E Kai Māori, the three-day wānanga at Kearoa Marae focused on revitalising […]
Growing with Byron
Popular social media influencer Byron Austin visited Rotorua recently to explore exciting opportunities for a new food forest in collaboration with Healthy Families Rotorua. This kaupapa aims to enhance community health and well-being through sustainable food practices. Byron, who creates content under the pseudonym Byron Grows, previously assisted Kaharoa School in creating a mini food […]
Rūru Parirau
From Insight to Action – Tikanga Māori illuminating the way forward According to the Rotorua Healthy Families community survey (2023) 64% of people surveyed said that alcohol consumption in urupā (burial sites) is common, while 67% expressed a desire to return urupā to being waipiro kore or alcohol-free places. Some kaupapa stir up strong emotions […]
Kai
Nurturing Change in the Kai System: Nau Mai e Ngā Hua Healthy Families Rotorua is dedicated to supporting Rotorua communities in creating positive, sustainable changes within the food system, while embracing cultural connections to kai. We recognise that food is far more than just sustenance – it represents identity, heritage, and knowledge that has been […]
Growing Sustainable Practices
Healthy Families Rotorua’s Nau Mai e Ngā Hua sustainable gardening workshops are connecting people with the whenua through practical, hands-on learning. In a world of increasingly pressing environmental challenges, these workshops offer timely solutions by blending mātauranga Māori with sustainable gardening techniques. Held at Maraeroa Mahinga Kai in Ōhinemutu, the series provides valuable skills in […]
Kapa haka impact
This year’s national secondary school kapa haka competition has revealed the significant impact of kapa haka on students, particularly those in kura kaupapa Māori or kura-ā-iwi. Healthy Families Rotorua systems innovator Te Raipine McLeod attended the 2024 Ngā Whakataetae Kura Tuarua in Nelson in June, where three Te Arawa kura competed. She interviewed rangatahi and […]
Matariki Heri Kai
This year’s Matariki theme is Matariki Heri Kai – or the Feast of Matariki. Kai being a connector of people helps to bring us together and what we have gathered for our shared feast speaks volumes about the unique places we come from. With Matariki Heri Kai in mind, Healthy Families Rotorua dived into its […]
Tukutuku strengthening unity
While creating a tukutuku panel to celebrate Matariki and Rotorua, the Healthy Families Rotorua team connected with their tīpuna and reinforced unity within themselves. Last week, the team participated in a tukutuku wānanga, as part of its Te Awhero programme designed to strengthen staff te reo Māori and tikanga competency. Master weaver and Te Arawa […]
Creating sustainable change
Kai Rotorua’s Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea (centre) with Kaharoa Community Maara kaitiaki, Amir and Astrid Namdari.
