25/02/2026
Here’s a great example of meaningful relationship building to create greater impact. Shout out to George and our mates at Healthy Families East Cape for the mahi they’re leading. Kristen is one of the original authors of the Rūrū Parirau research, which is part of our wider mahi.
Healthy Families East Cape Practice Lead George Kingi has been building relationships and connections with Kristen Maynard a mokopuna from Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, and Ruapani, Wendy Mohi who is the Senior Research Associate at Mātai Medical Research Institute and Kaiāwhina for CAYAD, and Waldo Horomia who is the CAYAD Advisor for Tūranga Health.
George, Kristen and Wendy have been connecting and preparing to oppose the Red Door Kaiti off‑licence renewal, sharing tikanga‑based strategies for protecting our tamariki and hapori from alcohol harm. Their kōrero reinforced that alcohol harm is a systems issue where outlet density, cheap products, clustering around kura and community hubs all shape what becomes “normal” in our everyday environments.
👉Tikanga and whakapapa, including kōrero like “Hutia te rito”, remind us that true protection means creating spaces where alcohol is not constantly visible or promoted to our pēpi and rangatahi.
👉Communities and kaimahi are increasingly stepping into decision‑making spaces like hearings to challenge alcohol availability and reclaim local say over what happens in their own rohe.
👉Each objection is part of a longer journey for Te Tairāwhiti – building knowledge, relationships and precedent so future communities can act earlier and with more confidence against harmful licences
Together we’re strengthening alcohol prevention in Tairāwhiti so our tamariki can grow up in communities where hauora is the norm.
