Celebrating Collective Impact

At the heart of fostering healthier and more connected communities lies the recognition and celebration of contributions made by whānau, hapū, iwi, and community partners. Recently, Healthy Families Rotorua hosted an extraordinary evening of gratitude and reflection, bringing together the strategic leadership group and our valued collaborators. This gathering was a chance to honour the […]

Year of Growth & Development

A year of growth and development has been the driving force for Healthy Families Rotorua. Manager Jenny Kaka-Scott says that by taking a broad, aerial view of the local prevention system, the team has improved its systems thinking approach and deepened its understanding of social issues. “We’ve explored multiple solutions and are now better at […]

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 […]