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 balancing the needs of the community and the organisation. Our relationships with our community and the many partners we collaborate with each year are stronger and more important,” says Jenny.
A highlight of 2024 was successfully recruiting a full team with specialist knowledge, skills, and experience.
“Strategic workforce planning ensures Healthy Families Rotorua is prepared for the journey ahead. I thank Pirihira, Megan, Teteira, Stevee, Te Raipine, Lois, Hiko, and Mana for their outstanding contributions this year,” she says.
Jenny recalls the inspirational whakataukī: “I orea te tuatara, ka puta ki waho,” reminding us that a problem is solved through persistent efforts to find a solution. The contributions of each team member have been the foundation of our progress.
“We named this year’s pūrongo-ā-tau (annual report) Toitū. It’s one of our favourite words in te reo Māori and is highly relevant today. Toitū can be interpreted as ‘to sustain holistically or to leave undisturbed, untouched, permanent.’ It speaks to the idea of foreverness – Toitū te reo, Toitū te mana, Toitū te whenua,” says Jenny.
“This value has shaped much of Healthy Families Rotorua’s work this year, emphasising the importance of creating culturally grounded, enduring, and sustainable solutions. Our ongoing commitment to kai sovereignty is a key example of this approach.”
We’ve partnered with local kai advocates to develop workshops that empower whānau to strengthen their relationship with kai. These workshops, shaped by the voices of the community, focus on practical skills such as māra management, soil health, seed cultivation, and seed saving, while also helping participants reconnect with traditional growing practices.
We were privileged to co-facilitate the Rongoā Waitawhara: E Kai! Wānanga, led by chef Joe McLeod and his incredible team. The event allowed us to reconnect with our mātauranga Māori cooking legacy. The primary goal was to promote food sovereignty by empowering Māori to take control of their food sources through sustainable and culturally significant practices. It fostered cultural reconnection, strengthening identity and pride by reviving traditional practices around cooking and gathering.
Our Matariki celebration, Matariki Heri Kai, reinforced the role of kai as a unifying force. We explored traditional food systems and the barriers to reconnecting with these practices, working to ensure that mātauranga and tikanga remain central to our efforts.
Food forests designed for marae, kura, and kōhanga reo blend mātauranga Māori with sustainable practices. These kaupapa, which mirror natural ecosystems, support hapū and iwi in embracing kaitiakitanga while strengthening local food systems. By promoting biodiversity and kotahitanga, these spaces contribute to kai security and uphold cultural values at their core.
Supporting rangatahi has been another key focus this year. At Ngā Whakataetae Kura Tuarua 2024, we gained valuable insights into the transformative power of kapa haka. Interviews conducted by Te Raipine McLeod revealed how kapa haka builds confidence, fosters cultural identity, and strengthens whānau connections. Inspired by these findings, we began developing a new initiative blending physical activity with Māori performing arts to enhance the mental and physical well-being of rangatahi.
The Te Hekenga ā Rongo podcast has also been a significant milestone this year, contributing to the goal of increasing the use of mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori approaches, and regenerative practices as prevention solutions. By normalising maramataka practices, the podcast demonstrates the relevance of Māori knowledge in contemporary decision-making. As awareness grows, opportunities to integrate maramataka into local planning, such as council decisions and educational curricula, are expanding.
Systemic change remains central to everything we do. This year, the Ngā Uru Kahika coalition highlighted the impacts of vaping through their Photo Voice project. By using visual storytelling, this initiative gave voice to the lived experiences of whānau, sparking important conversations about community health and well-being. Similarly, the Rūrū Parirau wānanga revitalised alcohol-free spaces at urupā, demonstrating how tikanga and community-led solutions can create healthier environments.
Our journey through 2024 was also marked by moments of celebration and connection. We tapped into our network to help ensure the successful execution of the 2024 Te Arawa Kaumātua Olympics, drawing on the collective strength of community support.
“Supporting events like the Kaumātua Olympics is crucial for promoting well-being, improving quality of life, and creating a more inclusive and compassionate community for all generations,” says Jenny.
As the year ends, we reflect on both the progress we’ve made and the challenges we’ve encountered. With guidance from tikanga, strong collaboration, and a focus on innovation, Healthy Families Rotorua continues to work towards building a thriving community.
“It’s easy to lose sight of a simple truth about systems: they’re made up of people. No matter how many frameworks, tools, strategies, or pieces of knowledge we have, they won’t significantly impact shifting power or changing deeply held beliefs. To create real change, we must support people and communities in ways that shift their consciousness. Without this, the system they are part of will not truly change. Central to this is the belief that people are the experts in their lives – the power of ‘lived experience.’
“On behalf of our entire team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported, collaborated, and inspired us this year. We wish you and your whānau a joyful holiday season filled with connection, rest, and hope for the year ahead. Meri Kirihimete me te Tau Hou,” says Jenny.
