Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga

13/05/2026

It’s Smokefree Month (May) and we’re celebrating William, one of our smokefree champions! William started smoking at just 15 years old and is now over 3 months smokefree after completing our Te Haa Matea programme.

His message is simple: “Smoking is taking our people. No more! Butt it out!” - William

Smokefree May sign-up bonus!
If you sign up in May, you’ll go in the draw to win 1 of 10 x $250 vouchers from the Shoe Clinic, plus we’ve got some awesome incentives like concession cards for: Hawke's Bay Regional, Aquatic Centre, The Royston Gym, Ocean Spa Napier

Ready to butt it out? We’ve got your back with FREE stop smoking support and FREE/subsidised ni****ne replacement therapy.
Call 0800 TAIWHENUA (or 06 871 5350)
Visit ttoh.iwi.nz/smokefree

02/05/2026

Kia ora rā whānau - please read and share this kōrero from our CE who is encouraging all eligible Māori voters to register and vote at this year’s election.

“If ever there was a time for Māori to stand up and exercise their democratic rights, it’s now. This year’s election will be tightly contested, and those 170,000 votes could decide who governs.” — Waylyn Tahuri-Whaipakanga.

30/04/2026

“Smoking does not control my life”

To kick start the Smokefree month of May, we have a beautiful story from our Smokefree Community Champion, Nicola Wolfsbauer.

Over the month our Te Haa Matea team will be running a 4-week smokefree wero. You will be supported by our dedicated Stop Smoking Practitioners who will provide tools and support you in your journey towards becoming smokefree.

If you’d like some support call our free phone number
0800 TAIWHENUA and we can help you butt it out!

24/04/2026

Kei wareware tātou
Lest we forget

Over the past week, kaimahi came together to mark ANZAC Day through a range of lunchtime kōrero, shared learning and experiences honouring service and sacrifice. We acknowledge and thank everyone who participated, shared stories about their loved ones, brought kai, and attended the karakia at the pou haki Friday morning, helping to uphold this important kaupapa of remembrance together.

23/04/2026

Our amazing Jess talking about our Te Mana Waiū programme in Whanake Te Kura.

Te Mana Waiū offers specialised breastfeeding support for new māmā with tamariki up to six months old.

We offer breastfeeding advice and support as well as kanohi ki te kanohi (one-to-one) sessions in home visits and access to resources.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding and would like some support, check out our website: https://ttoh.iwi.nz/TeManaWai%C5%AB

Te Mana Waiū supports māmā and whānau through their feeding journey, whatever that looks like.

While breastfeeding has many benefits, it’s not always easy, and many māmā face real challenges along the way.

We’re talking about the realities behind that, and how better support can make a difference.

Full story in comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

15/04/2026

A beautiful waiata taught by Kahurangi Nz at our Rangatahi Wānanga 🤍

15/04/2026

He oranga ngākau, he pikinga wairua ✨

Our Te Manaaki Taiao team supported the rangatahi focused Wānanga in hauora active participation, a great way to end the school holidays with our young leaders of tomorrow.

A special mihi to our facilitators and all our rangatahi that participated in our wānanga! Kei whea mai koutou!

10/04/2026

Tēnā hoki tātou katoa!

As Cyclone Vaianu beats its path to Aotearoa, we want to check in to offer our support, some friendly advice, but most importantly, our karakia and best wishes to all whānau in the Heretaunga.

Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to be a short, sharp weather event that will reach Aotearoa on Sunday. By Monday, we should have a clearer picture of the cyclone’s impact. We want to share that the organisation is ready to activate CIMS (Coordinated Incident Management System) for Cyclone Vaianu if needed. Key elements of this plan are to ensure we have the necessary systems in place to gather information, communicate, help, and support our kaimahi, our whānau, and our marae.

Kia tū, kia oho, kia mataara!
As most already know, HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group preparation is key to mitigating the impact of extreme weather events. is the best source of the latest information. The National Emergency Management Agency advises taking these steps now before Cyclone Vaianu arrives:

- Bring inside or tie down anything that strong winds could break or pick up.
- If you have a trampoline, turn it upside down to minimise the surface area exposed to wind and tie it down firmly.
- Remove any debris or loose items from around your property. - - Branches and firewood can become airborne in strong winds.
- Check on neighbours and whānau, especially those who may be elderly, isolated, or without communications.
- Clear waste and debris away from drains.
- Make and practice your emergency plan, pack a go-bag, and have emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate.
- Be prepared with torches and have a solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts.
You can find more advice to get prepared at GetReady.govt.nz

Kia matua haumaru te noho
Civil Defence offers this advice:
If life, health or property is at risk, call 111.
- Don’t take any chances, act quickly if you see rising water.
- Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
- Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
- Landslides can occur without any warning signs. Be aware of the potential for landslides. If you see a landslide, move quickly out of its path and stay away from it.
For the latest information on Te Matau a Māui, we recommend you regularly check Civil Defence Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management: https://www.hbemergency.govt.nz

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is also a good source for local information. HBRC say coastal swell and sea inundation of homes is a major risk. For those near rivers and streams, please keep tabs on the HBRC website for updates on river levels and flood risks:
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/extreme-weather-hub/flood-hub/

Kāti, hei whakatepe i tēnei kōrero, ka inoi atu mātou ki te wāhingaro kia tau mai ngā manaakitanga ki a tātou katoa. Kia piki te kaha, kia piki te ora, kia piki te māramatanga ki a tātou katoa.

We leave you with our prayers and best wishes. Stay strong, be safe, and keep well-informed.

Ngā mihi nui,
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga

Understand your flood risk, through real-time river level and river flow information, and real-time images from webcams in your local area.