We need change! The voices of young people amplified
Our Youth Mental Health initiative carried out “empathy interviews” to develop case narratives to understand the lived experience of Pacific and Māori youth living in South Auckland. Empathy interviews are typically one-on-one conversations that use open-ended questions to elicit stories about specific experiences that help uncover unacknowledged needs. “The interviews confirmed to us that the […]
Phillipa Meihana: The struggle is real – my hopes to change it
Healthy Families South Auckland Systems Innovator Phillipa Meihana is helping to drive systems change as part of her mahi for Food Systems, Oranga Whakapapa (Maori Systems Return) and Movement and Sport initiatives. We caught up with her to tell us about why she ‘loves’ her role and her hopes to create change in the places […]
Fa’anānā Efeso Collins – community champion
When we consider community leadership in South Auckland, several names come to mind, representing mana, influence, and pride in where they live, learn, work and play. One name that undoubtedly stands out is the late Fa’anānā Efeso Collins. Known for his passionate advocacy, deep love for local people and relentless efforts to enhance the wellbeing […]
Opinion: From declarations to nutritional equity
By Julio Bin, Healthy Families South Auckland Image credit: UN Climate Change This opinion piece examines several declarations and documents that could possibly shift towards transformative change in the food system. These include: ● COP28 Declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate action ● COP28 Declaration on climate and health ● Food and […]
Tokaima’ananga Sports Day – fāmili, fun, and a marching band
The Tokaima’ananga Ōtara Methodist Church Sports Day on February 10, 2024, held at East Tamaki Rugby Club in Ōtara.
Nurturing Collaboration: Healthy Families South Auckland, Healthy Families Waitākere and Auckland Regional Public Health Service
Collaboration can be a powerful catalyst for change, especially when it involves organisations coming together for a common purpose. The partnership between Healthy Families South Auckland (HFSA), Healthy Families Waitakere (HFW) and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is a testament to the potential of collective efforts in building a healthier, more sustainable future. […]
Netball Manurewa to integrate Te Ao Māori
Netball Manurewa has initiated efforts to explore how the integration of Te Ao Māori knowledge and worldview could be integrated into the sporting and community organisation. In late November, members of Netball Manurewa participated in a ‘design-challenge’ facilitated by the Oranga Whakapapa team from Healthy Families South Auckland (The Cause Collective), including Tracey-Lee Walker (Indigenous […]
Matt Appleyard joins Healthy Families South Auckland
Healthy Families South Auckland’s new manager hasn’t had to travel far to join his new team.Matt Appleyard was welcomed at a mihi whakanui this month as the manager of the team basedat Auckland Council. Matt’s previous role was in Auckland Council’s Community Impact Unit – the same unit thatHealthy Families South Auckland has now joined […]
Mila Masiasomua talks physiotherapy and occupational wellbeing
Mila Masiasomua is a proud Samoan, raised in Ōtara and works at Foodstuffs North Island in Occupational Wellbeing to help staff operate at the optimum level at work. He talks to Tulou about his background in Physiotherapy, and how he uses his cultural knowledge to inform his mahi in occupational wellbeing. Can you tell us […]
Games of the past, better health for the future
For the last three months our Movement and Sports team, in collaboration with Community Leisure Management (CLM), has been taking the Village Games prototype to four primary schools in Ōtara – Bairds Mainfreight, Rongomai, Wymondley, and Flat Bush. The Village Games highlights the importance of Pacific and Māori games and sports and how these traditional […]
