Purapura Whetū

28/09/2025

⚠️ Every hour, three New Zealanders develop dementia.

That’s 500 people every week — and by 2050, nearly 170,000 New Zealanders could be living with dementia. The fastest rises are expected among Māori, Pasifika, and Asian communities.

Amidst this growing challenge, we’re proud to celebrate the inspiring mahi of Kaihaumanu, Marge, from Purapura Whetū’s Mate Wareware team. On behalf of the Kaitiaki, Marge recently presented the refreshed Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan 2026-2031 to Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello — a powerful step towards ensuring better support and care for our whānau and hapori.

Kia tū tahi tātou — let’s raise awareness, support those living with dementia, and work towards better care and resources for everyone. 💜

📖 Read the full pānui here:

Alarming new research shows dementia is now affecting three New Zealanders every hour – around 500 people every week, says Alzheimers NZ.

25/09/2025

Honouring Waiatamai’s Mahi in Hauora Hinenaro (Mental Health) 🌿

Waiatamai played a pivotal role as Implementation Service Leader in the Peer Support initiative at Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department - the first ministerial initiative of its kind to launch in Te Waipounamu.

As Implementation Service Leader, Waiatamai worked tirelessly to design, deliver, and grow a service that ensures whaiora and whānau in complex situations are met with manaaki. From employing and training peers, to building hononga with ED nurses, mental health teams, whaiora and whānau, her aroha and dedication have left a lasting impact. Peer Support Specialists are available to support whānau in the ED Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4–10 pm (with Tuesday evenings coming soon).

Ngā mihi nui to you, Waiatamai, for your vision, leadership, and commitment to creating a safer, more supportive space for our hapori. 💜

23/09/2025

Wiki o Te Reo Māori ki Purapura Whetū 🌿

This year, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was a time for our kaimahi to come together and celebrate te reo Māori — its beauty, its connection to our whakapapa and whenua, and the way it unites us as whānau. Guided by our uara, we filled the week with daily wero, whakataukī, poi making, kēmu, and a joyful hākari. 🎉

It was a vibrant celebration of 50 years of the reo revitalisation movement — a chance to strengthen whanaungatanga, share our kete mātauranga, and embody our uara as a rōpū. 🌟

19/09/2025

E tū ki te tai o Koukourarata 🌊
E ū ki ngā marae, ki ngā awa, ki ngā maunga 🏔️
Whakaeke mai nei he uri nō Kāi Tahu, ko Mairehe! ✨

He aha tō pepeha? Waiho ki raro ki te wāhanga kōrero 🙌
What's your pepeha? Leave it down in the comment section 🙌

18/09/2025

Our second whakataukī for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is a beautiful reminder that our success is built on shared support and aroha. Ngā mihi nui to Sudi from our Muslim Wellbeing Ōtautahi service for sharing how this whakataukī speaks to her journey. 💫

Ko tēhea tō tino whakataukī? / Which is your favourite whakataukī?

17/09/2025

Tēnā koutou! Hari Aotearoa Social Workers’ Day! 🌿

To all the amazing social workers out there — we love and appreciate you for your arataki, tautoko, and atawhai. 💚

Check out this clip featuring our kaimahi and tāngata whaiora at Purapura Whetū, sharing heartfelt thanks to social workers everywhere.🎥

16/09/2025

Ordering kawhe? Karawhiua i te reo Māori! 💪

Kia whakanui i te Wiki o te Reo Māori, i werohia ngā kaimahi kia tono kawhe mā te reo Māori.
To celebrate rangi tuatoru o te Wiki o te Reo Māori, our kaimahi were challenged to order their kawhe in te reo Māori!

What’s your go to kawhe order? 👀☕
Tune in for a cinematic piece and a good laugh 🎬

15/09/2025

"Whakaaro pai mōku ake" 💭

A gentle reminder from Matua Geoff Huia to look after ourselves — whether it’s by visiting places that fill us with calm, or enjoying a cup of tea, a kōrero, a waiata, or a karakia. 🌊🏔️

14/09/2025

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori!
Ake Ake Ake – Mō Ake Tonu Te Reo!

From 14 – 20 o Hepetema we are proud to join Aotearoa in celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – 50 years strong! Ko te kaupapa o tēnei tau e whakamahara ana ki a tātou he taonga tō tātou reo — kia maimoa, kia manaakitia, ā, kia tuku iho ki ngā reanga e haere ake nei.

Let’s kōrero, waiata, ako, and whakanui te reo Māori together — every word counts, every voice matters 🎤🗣️🎶

11/09/2025

UARA TUATORU - MANA
Respect of self and others

Mana is something we’re born with — a reflection of our whakapapa, our actions, and the way we carry ourselves in the world. It’s also something we recognise and protect in others. ✨

"He aroha whakatō, he aroha p**a mai."
If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive.

We’re also excited for Wiki o te Reo Māori, just around the corner! Keep an eye out for our posts 🙌

10/09/2025

Su***de Prevention Day 💛 10.09.2025

At Purapura Whetū, we care for the wellbeing of our whānau, kaimahi, and hapori. Our Kā Pou Whenua service provides support, guidance, and a safe space for whānau who may be struggling.

Today, we remind everyone: it’s okay to reach out, it’s okay to kōrero, and it’s okay to ask for help. We are here for you, and this is us – a community ready to listen, support, and walk alongside you.

Last year, a beautiful video was created on Te Tai o Poutini (the West Coast) to acknowledge Su***de Prevention Day. This was made in partnership with Poutini Waiora, who continue to walk alongside us in this kaupapa. Watch it here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV21iI2ahYg

For more information or support find out more about Kā Pou Whenua follow this link: https://www.pw.maori.nz/services-and-referrals/kapouwhenuahome/