Healthy Families South Auckland recently opened their doors at The Cause Collective to stakeholders for an Open Home showcase. The event brought together key stakeholders, each playing a vital role in the systems that shape the health and wellbeing of our communities, to talanoa shared approaches to address Systems Change.
“At Healthy Families South Auckland, we know that reducing chronic disease requires a whole systems approach. The complex layers of social, economic, and environmental factors impacting health outcomes mean that no single intervention can bring about the necessary large-scale change.
Tapuvakai Vea, General Manager of Healthy Families South Auckland says that through this gathering, stakeholders engaged in meaningful korero, shared insights, and sparked collaboration that accelerates our shared mission: reducing the risk of preventable chronic diseases in South Auckland.
“Instead, change is most powerful when it involves multiple levers, working together across sectors and communities, to address the root causes of poor health. This is where systems change comes in.”
The Stakeholders Open Home showcased seven of our key initiatives, each designed to address different dimensions of the systems that contribute to chronic disease risk. Lead Systems Innovators shared not only the current challenges we are facing but also the innovative approaches we are taking to address them.
 | Movement & Sport: Creating environments that promote movement and active lifestyles and reduce sedentary behaviour, especially in our homes, schools, and public spaces. |
 | Food Systems: Tackling the barriers to healthy, affordable food and building local solutions that empower communities to change mindsets, grow, access, and consume nourishing kai. |
 | Oranga Whakapapa: Centering Māori knowledge, practices, and values to strengthen cultural identity and improve health outcomes for whānau Māori. |
 | Alcohol Harm: Addressing the harmful effects of alcohol, not only through policy change but also by shifting community norms around alcohol consumption and mindsets. |
 | Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing: Supporting the mental health of our rangatahi by co-designing initiatives that recognise the unique challenges they face in today’s world. |
 | Work360: Creating workplaces that promote health and wellbeing, ensuring that business leaders understand the connection between wellbeing and productivity and giving business leaders the tools to connect and engage with their workers resulting in high productivity, retention and engagement and enhanced wellbeing in the workplace. |
 | Early Years: Supporting parents, caregivers, and early childhood settings to give our tamariki the best start in life, knowing that the foundations of lifelong health are laid in the early years. |
Tapuvakai says “From leveraging community knowledge to co-designing solutions, the impact of these initiatives is rooted in collective action and impact. We will explore how our work is contributing to broader systems change and the steps needed to scale that impact across South Auckland.”
“The event was not just about showcasing the work, but about finding ways to align our efforts, share resources, and build momentum for the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities.
“Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, reducing the burden of chronic disease for future generations and fostering a healthier, more equitable South Auckland.”
If you’re interested in attending in connecting with the team about our initiatives , please email [email protected]
Healthy Families South Auckland announced a Stakeholders Open Home on the 8th of November. The gathering aimed to engage in meaningful korero, share insights, and spark collaboration that accelerates our shared mission: reducing the risk of preventable chronic diseases in South Auckland. For more information please visit here:
