Manurewa Locals Revive Hautapu Planting and Dawn Ceremony
A special wānanga to revive Hautapu practices in Manurewa has helped dozens of locals reconnect with te taiao (the natural environment), matauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) and their neighbourhood. Despite its densely built urban landscape, Manurewa still has many sites of Māori significance in its surrounding whenua, awa and moana spaces. During the wānanga, the […]
Veisinia talks faith, fitness, and fellowship
In April 2022, Healthy Families South Auckland (HFSA) and Auckland Council joined forces to introduce an initiative called the Church Plant – Exercise Containers in two locations: the Tokaima’ananga Ōtara Tongan Methodist Parish Church and EFKS Samoa East Tamaki. The Church Plant serves as a connector between local government and local Pasifika communities to foster […]
It’s not the thinking, it’s how we’re thinking about alcohol
Ashlynn Ale is a Systems Innovator for Healthy Families South Auckland (The Cause Collective). A Samoan, she was born and raised in Māngere, and has been working on the alcohol harm reduction kaupapa for HFSA for the past two years. This opinion piece is a reflection of the current alcohol harm landscape after attending the […]
Part 1: The MAP Collective come together for a common cause
Above: The Move Auckland Pasifika Collective (MAP) with Hawaiki Hou, and our Movement and Sport team. Having a strong desire to achieve a common goal is what sets a great vision in motion. In fact, it’s an act of service, commitment and collective energy towards bringing the vision to life. The vision of supporting Māori and […]
Armourguard launches staff wellbeing initiative – ‘workplace wellbeing is so important.’
Above: The Armourguard Security team Armourguard Security has recently launched a new focus on workplace wellbeing in their Auckland branches. The national security firm is actively engaging with their staff to encourage them to raise their wellbeing issues and concerns as part of a new wellbeing initiative. “We’ve realized that all staff need to feel […]
Collaborative effort for new community initiative
Kia ora Te Whānau is a new initiative reimagining what a well-being community hub could look like in South Auckland if created in partnership between local government and whānau. A working group of staff from multiple Auckland Council teams and services has spent much of the year talking with whānau and getting an understanding of […]
Tackling youth mental health and wellbeing in South Auckland
“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 […]
The Church Plant takes exercise to Church
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 […]
Manukau Central Kindergarten: a place where culture is appreciated
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 […]
ECE centres involved in HFSA Early Years Project co-designing and thriving
Early Childhood Education Centres involved in the Healthy Families South Auckland’s (HFSA) Early Years Project, report better engagement with families since taking part in the capability-building workshops. “Before we were always communicating to our parents, we never communicated with each other. Now we plan events with them rather than deciding on our own and telling […]
