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 […]
New sleep survey
Healthy Families Rotorua is seeking Te Arawa perspectives on sleep through a new survey released today. The Te Arawa Sleep strategy is a kaupapa Māori approach to strengthening mental resilience in the community by improving sleep quality. The strategy will be iwi-led and inspired by Te Arawa mātauranga and lived voice through co-design and collaboration […]
Matariki kūmara planting
Healthy Families Rotorua is working with Kai Rotorua to plant a special maara Matariki for the city’s official umu kohukohu whetū next year. Lead systems innovator, Pirihira Whata, says the garden will be established at Te Puea Orchard with traditional kūmara varieties, such as hutihuti and taputini, and will be used as hautapu (offerings) for […]
Maramataka shifting mindsets
Te Hekenga-ā-Rongo presenter, Davina Thompson (Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa), is infiltrating her knowledge of maramataka amongst the country’s environmental policymakers. She is currently working on the Environment of Te Arawa 2022 synthesis report for Ministry for the Environment based on Matariki as a framework, in her role as policy analyst and mātauranga Māori expert. Davina […]
Ōhinemutu wild garden
What was once a swamp at the mouth of the Utuhina stream, is now a maara kai in Ōhinemutu providing sustenance for the community and local wildlife. Kaitiaki of Maraeroa Mahinga Kai, Lani Kereopa (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tarawhai, Ngāti Wahiao), says the Rika, Werahiko and Tahiwi whānau whakapapa to the whenua. She says when her […]
Taking maramataka to the world
The resurgence of maramataka is influencing the way many people go about their lives – and Rotorua is preparing to showcase it to the world. Healthy Families Rotorua is hosting worldwide online symposium, Te Hekenga-ā-Rongo next month. The livestream event will feature experts and practitioners from Aotearoa who are creating pathways for the revitalisation of […]
Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Te Arawa
Just over two years ago Healthy Families Rotorua facilitated the development of the community of practice now known as Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Te Arawa. A community of practice is a group of people with a common interest, with a common goal of improving by sharing experiences. The group is made up of experts and practitioners […]
Toi Tangata Hui ā Tau
Healthy Families Rotorua are set to showcase the value proposition of Māori Systems Return at this year’s Toi Tangata Hui ā Tau. Rotorua promotes the application of Māori systems return, that enables community champions to drive innovation leading to sustainable solutions for overall health and wellbeing. The approach normalises traditional Māori practices and frameworks to […]
