Mana o te Tangata Trust

05/10/2025

It's Mental Health Awareness Week whānau 💚

01/10/2025

Kia ora whānau, check out this upcoming event that Mana o te Tangata will be attending, led by the Pou Arataki Team of Lisa, Dawn and Te Rou 🌟 We hope to see you there!

27/09/2025

A big mihi to the Minister for acknowledging the mahi we do 🌟

As a big supporter of peer support workers in mental health, it was great to visit the Crisis Café in Palmerston North – Te Puna Wai. I met with the incredible staff who showed they know their communities well and are making a massive difference for those who are in need of support.

I have been calling peer support the silent revolution because I think as we are seeing an increase of the roles around the country, I can see the real life impact they are making for people. The team at Te Puna Wai are a great example.

27/09/2025

Friday, we were honoured to host Minister Matt Doocey at Te Puna Wai Café. The Minister acknowledged our service as an exemplar for Crisis Cafés, recognising the aroha, safety, and non-judgemental space our team and tangata kōrero have created together.

We are especially grateful for the strong partnership with Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand ensuring our mahi is supported through trusted relationships and shared commitment to wellbeing. Maintaining and strengthening these partnerships is vital in working together for our whānau and community.

Ngā mihi to our kaimahi and community for building a foundation that truly supports wellbeing and belonging. Thank you also to Paul Oxnam (Te Whatu Ora Health NZ – Regional Director Mental Health & Addictions), Leanne Fisher, National Chief Mental Health and Addictions(Te Whatu Ora Health NZ), Karla Bergquist (National Director, Specialist Mental Health & Addiction, Te Whatu Ora), Matt Carter (Clinical Nurse Manager Te Whatu Ora Health NZ), for joining us in this special moment.

He waka eke noa – we are all in this together.

26/09/2025

Te Kete Pounamu Māori Lived Experience Symposium

Celebrating 10 Years of Te Kete Pounamu

This week we gathered for the Te Kete Pounamu Māori Lived Experience Symposium, honouring a decade of mahi, advocacy, and lived experience leadership in Hauora Hinengaro (mental wellbeing) and AOD (alcohol and other drug) recovery.

For 10 years, Te Kete Pounamu has been a powerful collective voice for tāngata Māori, uplifting whānau across Aotearoa through advocacy, whanaungatanga, and a steadfast commitment to healing, equity, and hope.

We acknowledge the incredible journey taken, made possible by the courage, aroha, and dedication of so many. From cultural and clinical leadership to lived experience-informed solutions, this kaupapa continues to thrive and inspire change.

A special mihi to the many voices and leaders who shared their kōrero, including:

🟢 Wiremu Nia Nia – Cultural Therapy, bridging traditional healing and psychiatry

🟢 Rikki Solomon – Integrating Maramataka Māori into health and wellbeing

🟢 Kerri Butler – Founder of Take Notice, and a driving force behind lived experience leadership

🟢 Rose Heta – Mommy of six, Indigenous Peer Facilitator, in recovery for over 10 years, and currently completing her Doctorate in Indigenous Knowledge with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa who have walked alongside Te Kete Pounamu over the past decade. Here’s to the next chapter of collective action, healing, and transformation.

26/09/2025

Mana o te Tangata Trust – 10 Year Anniversary

On Friday, 19th September, we had the privilege of celebrating 10 years of Mana o te Tangata Trust alongside our incredible tangata whaiora.

The day was filled with mana, joy, and connection — uplifted by the powerful sounds of waiata Māori and the energetic beats of Mana Beatz.

We want to acknowledge and thank all our tangata whaiora for being at the heart of our journey. Your strength, resilience, and aroha inspire everything we do.

He mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa – here’s to the next decade of walking together in mana, aroha, hope and whanaungatanga.

24/09/2025

Calling all Rangatahi! 🌟

18/09/2025

AKE AKE AKE — A FOREVER LANGUAGE

Kia kaha te reo Māori

This week, we join the nation in celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — a time to honour the beauty, strength and mana of our language.

At Mana o te Tangata Trust, we are proud to stand for the revitalisation of te reo Māori. Our language is more than words — it is whakapapa, identity, and the heartbeat of our culture.

🖤 Every word spoken
💛 Every phrase learned
❤️ Every effort shared

keeps te reo Māori alive — ake ake ake

Let’s speak it, sing it, and celebrate it — together!

Kia kaha te reo Māori!

15/09/2025

Kia ora e te whānau! we represented Mana o te Tangata Trust at TheMHS Conference 2025 – “Envisioning 2050: Towards a Better Mental Health System” in Brisbane (2–5 Sept).
Key vibes: lived experience leadership, earlier support, integrated services, and culturally grounded care — exactly where our kaupapa is heading.

What’s next for us: progressing a peer workforce qualification, strengthening our crisis café pathways, and tracking outcomes that matter to whānau.

Ngā mihi to everyone who shared insights and aroha across Aotearoa and Australia.

̄ori

15/09/2025

Ngā mihi nui!

Mana o te Tangata Trust, with the support of Whare Tukutuku, extends our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the Yarn SMART Facilitator Training Workshop in Palmerston North (27–28 August 2025).

We were honoured to be guided by facilitators Trevor Pearce (Gamilaroi, Wiradjuri/Walian) and Lucy Norton (Koori/Quechua), who shared their deep knowledge and expertise.

This kaupapa strengthens our collective capacity to support community-led, strength-based approaches to wellbeing, addiction recovery, and whānau resilience.

A special thanks also to our stakeholder guests from Health New Zealand—Te Whatu Ora, NZ Drug Foundation, Te Waka Whaiora, Whare Tukutuku Te Rau Ora, Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora—and all participants who contributed their energy, wisdom, and aroha to these two powerful days of learning and connection.

Together, we are weaving pathways for stronger, healthier communities.



Nga mihi
Leilani Maraku

15/09/2025

Mana o te Tangata Trust Welcomes Distinguished Visitors 🌟

Mana o te Tangata Trust was privileged to host Michelle Woods, District Inspector of Mental Health; Judges Jill Moss, Caroline Hickman, and Bruce Northwood; and Community Magistrate Carla na Nagara during a recent visit to our services.
We deeply valued the opportunity to share the important mahi taking place within our community and to highlight our strong partnership with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.

During the visit, we showcased a range of services that support holistic wellbeing, including:

Te Puna Wai (Crisis Café): Fostering connection and belonging while easing the pressure on the ED department and Ward 21.

Te Puna Tiaki (Depo Clinic) Wellbeing Clinic: Providing integrated health and wellbeing support.

Pou Arataki Peer Support Specialist Service: Ensuring lived experience and peer support remain central to recovery.

We are grateful for the time, care, and respect shown by our visitors. Strengthening partnerships and working collectively ensures we can continue to uphold the wellbeing and resilience of tāngata whaiora and the wider community.

Ngā mihi nui,
Leilani Maraku

04/09/2025

Check this out whānau 💚