Stories 2021

“Surface level can only go so far…the youth services that are provided can only go so far… I don’t think it can go deeper,” – Young Pasifika person* Insights gathered from young Pasifika and Māori people in South Auckland reveals a need for effective services and programmes that specialise in prioritising mental wellbeing. This is …

Tackling youth mental health and wellbeing in South Auckland Read More »

For most Pasifika, church is our spiritual haven, where we worship and congregate with our extended whānau. It’s a place where we connect, korero, and build long-lasting relationships. But can it also be a place for exercise and movement? The Church Plant has definitely proven it can be. In April 2022, Healthy Families South Auckland …

The Church Plant takes exercise to Church Read More »

Insights from the centre families at Manukau Central Kindergarten (MCK) in Wiri has seen more Pacific and Māori culture in its centre and increased interaction from families.  Incorporating Pacific and Māori culture in the early childhood education (ECE) environment has enabled the teachers of MCK to ensure children are better cared for holistically, meeting not …

Manukau Central Kindergarten: a place where culture is appreciated Read More »

For South Auckland where the sheer number of liquor outlets has been deemed ‘out of control’ and the social effect of alcohol abuse is a major issue, the community welcomes the greater powers proposed in Justice Minister, Hon Kiritapu Allan’s recent announcement. In 2017, Healthy Families South Auckland (HFSA) alongside Auckland Council’s Democracy Services and …

Changes to Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act: OK, alright, it’s about d#!%n timeı Read More »

In September, Baruk Jacob stepped away from his role as Capability Lead for Healthy Families South Auckland, ending a four-year stint with the team based at The Southern Initiative. During that time he oversaw the building of team capability in Healthy Families South Auckland when it came to strengthening and embedding the six conditions of …

Teaching Systems Change – Baruk Jacob Read More »

Last week, our Healthy Families South Auckland team (HFSA) hosted a Systems Change webinar on Movement and Sport in South Auckland, presented by our Systems Lead Innovator, Pita Alatini. The presentation touched upon the lived experiences of our Māori and Pacific communities when finding compelling reasons to be physically active, the conditions holding the barriers …

Movement and Sport Webinar Read More »

An Australian report looking into the system of local government has done a case study on the Papatoetoe Food Hub, an initiative originally created by Healthy Families South Auckland. The Future of Local Government Review is a report commissioned by the Tasmanian State Government. The review is looking to ensure their system of local government …

Papatoetoe Food Hub in Australian report on local government Read More »