In 2024, Healthy Families South Auckland continued its journey of fostering community-led health and wellbeing initiatives, but now as part of Auckland Council’s Community Impact Unit.
A new chapter
In late 2023, as part of a restructure within Auckland Council, HFSA relocated from The Southern Initiative to the Community Impact Unit.
The Community Impact Unit is made up of eight teams, including Healthy Families South Auckland, that work with communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to support systems change, innovation, investments, Pasifika, library access, homelessness and community action on drugs and alcohol harm.
Healthy Families South Auckland manager Matt Appleyard, who has previously worked in the Community Impact Unit, says the team has transitioned across with ease and already is working closely with the other teams when it comes to improving hauora within Auckland communities.
“Being part of the Community Impact Unit strengthens our ability to collaborate with council teams and communities alike,” says Appleyard. “This alignment supports our kaupapa of driving long-term, community-led health improvements.”
HFSA also hosted the Community Impact Unit at the Cook Islands Development Agency NZ (CIDANZ) in November, allowing a chance to showcase the shared kaupapa between HFSA and CIDANZ over the past several years, particularly on The Good Food Road Map framework.
Building stronger partnerships
Collaboration remains at the heart of HFSA’s approach. The team has grown its relationships with key partners, including Iwi, local businesses, Health Coalition Aotearoa, Waka Ama NZ, AUT, central government agencies like the Public Health Advisory Committee, and other Auckland Council departments. These partnerships amplify HFSA’s efforts to address systemic barriers to health and wellbeing.
“Strong partnerships enable us to tackle challenges like food security and community resilience more effectively,” says Appleyard. “Together, we’re leveraging collective strengths to create equitable and sustainable health outcomes.”
An example of this collaboration is the focus on improving local kai systems, most recently with Health Coalition Aotearoa. HFSA’s work with partners ensures that healthier food options are accessible to communities, fostering both immediate and long-term benefits.
HFSA mahi was also highlighted in the Public Health Advisory Committee’s report, Rebalancing our food system.
Kia Ora Te Whānau case studies
The Kia Ora Te Whānau initiative remains a cornerstone of HFSA’s mahi. This year, case studies are being developed to showcase the initiative’s impact, with the largest study scheduled for release in early 2025.
“With all our initiatives that we do it is important to revisit, reflect and discuss what worked and what we learnt from the initiative that can be expanded to other mahi within Healthy Families New Zealand and Auckland Council,” says Rereahu Collier, HFSA’s Senior Strategist – Kaupapa Māori. “Through them, we’re telling the story of resilience, connection, and innovation.”
The evolution of the Food Hub
The Papatoetoe Food Hub (PFH), originally a HFSA initiative, entered a new chapter this year with its relocation to Māngere. Established in 2018 as a community-led response to food system challenges, the Food Hub has grown into a replicable model for other communities.
“The Papatoetoe Food Hub represents what can be achieved when communities lead solutions,” says Julio Bin, HFSA’s Led Systems Innovator behind the original Food Hub concept. “With its relocation to Māngere, we’re building on the successes of the past while addressing new opportunities.”
Now in partnership with I Am Mangere, the Food Hub Collective aims to expand its impact across the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu region. This collaboration reflects HFSA’s vision of empowering communities to adopt sustainable practices and move towards food sovereignty.
“Our goal from the beginning was to prototype a model that could address food insecurity and improve community resilience. The lessons we’ve learned since its inception have been invaluable, and I am proud to see how the Food Hub Collective kaupapa continues to grow and inspire others.”
The work of the Papatoetoe Food Hub is still being showcased, including in the recent Healthy Families New Zealand 10 Years of Impact report released in November.
Kathleen Wharton (nee Keremete)
This year, the Healthy Families NZ whānau lost one of its own in Kathleen Wharton.
Kath was manager of Healthy Families Far North and an integral part of the Healthy Families movement, bringing her passion, dedication, and vision to every initiative she was involved in.
Before her time in the Far North, Kath was a valued team member of The Southern Initiative, the former organisation of Healthy Families South Auckland, where she worked as an Innovation and Community advisor.
It was her friendly leadership and personality, along with her already strong ties to Healthy Families South Auckland, that Kath was committed to strong collaboration between the Far North and South Auckland teams when it came to initiatives and systems change kaupapa.
Her efforts and shared aspirations for healthier, more resilient communities will be remembered fondly by the Healthy Families South Auckland team members.
