Healthy Families Rotorua

28/08/2025

Whiria te kaha, tuamakatia, e motu, honoa.
Ko He Oranga Whānau Rotorua ki Te Pīwhara. Ko Te Arawa Whānau Ora ki Te Whitiwhiti.

Now that we’re settled into our new whare, Te Pīwhara, we were delighted to host our whānau from our lead provider, Te Arawa Whānau Ora, who came over from their whare, Te Whitiwhiti, to check out our new space.

Whitiwhiti a Te Pīwhara was a toka tūtohu whenua (boundary stone marker) that once stood in the middle of what's now known as Fenton Street, between Hinemoa and Pukuatua streets. Our whare takes its name from this toka tūtohu whenua 💚

26/08/2025

Healthy Families Rotorua is proud to be part of a nationwide movement driving systems change for healthier communities. Check out our latest national e-pānui to see the inspiring mahi from our sites across the motu 💚

Our August e-pānui provides an update on the collective work happening across New Zealand to improve health and wellbeing where we live, learn, work and play.

Some of the stories highlight work on:
🚼 Strengthening maternal care ensuring pēpi and whānau have the very best start to life
🚴 Council's e-bike loan scheme in Murihiku
🫶 Changing mental models in the home with South Auckland whānau

https://tinyurl.com/yc6yfuuf

21/08/2025

We had a lovely visit yesterday from Cathy, Practice & Development Lead at Healthy Families Waitākere. She popped in for a catch up and a quick kōrero about innovation tools and the great mahi happening in our communities. Always a pleasure to connect and share ideas!

21/08/2025

Our team was at Maraeroa Mahinga Kai this morning, planting seed kūmara for Te Arawa Hautapu this year. We chose today guided by the maramataka, recognising the role of Rongo-mā-Tāne, atua of cultivated kai. Planting this way helps us follow the ways of our tūpuna and stay in tune with the natural cycles around us sharing mātauranga and strengthening our connection to whenua.

18/08/2025

Healthy Families Rotorua is stepping into an exciting new space with our Hapū Māmā kaupapa, which focuses on strengthening maternal care and ensuring pēpi and whānau have the very best start to life 💚

We’ve been asked to explore how maternal care can be reimagined — co-designed to be more aspirational, culturally supportive, and grounded in the voices of māmā, pēpi, and whānau.

This kaupapa takes a big-picture, systems approach, looking at the whole maternal journey, from pre-natal through to post-natal care, and the networks of support that surround whānau. It recognises the vital role of providers, iwi, and community in shaping a collective response.

Healthy Families Rotorua is taking its first steps in an exciting new kaupapa, Hapū Māmā, which aims to strengthen maternal care and ensure pēpi and whānau

11/08/2025

Last week, we welcomed our whānau from Healthy Families Te Ngira and Healthy Families East Cape, under the korowai of Healthy Families Te Manawa Taki.

Over three days, we shared kōrero, innovative ideas, and plenty of laughs while exploring how we can align our mahi for greater collective impact. From embedding mātauranga Māori to improving kai systems, reducing whānau harm, and strengthening rangatahi wellbeing, the energy and opportunities for collaboration were inspiring.

This wānanga was an awesome reminder that when we work together, we can achieve equitable health outcomes and create lasting change for our communities 💚👏🏾👏🏾

22/07/2025

Join Dr. Jessica Hutchings and Associate Professor Jo Smith at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri, for an inspiring author talk about their new book Pātaka Kai – Growing Food Sovereignty. Hear stories of whānau-led action, discover practical ways to reconnect with growing your own kai, and explore what food sovereignty can look like in Aotearoa today.

This kaupapa aligns closely with our mahi at Healthy Families Rotorua, supporting whānau to grow kai and build food-secure futures.

📅 Saturday 2 August
🕥 10.30am – 12.00pm
📍 Community Pride Space, Ground Floor, Rotorua Library

🎟 Reserve your free seat here:

Join Dr Jessica Hutchings and Associate Professor Jo Smith as they share inspiring stories from their latest book Pātaka Kai - Growing kai sovereignty.

21/07/2025

At a recent hui at Ōwhata Marae, Rotorua rangatahi made it clear that they don’t just want to be consulted — they want to help shape the systems that affect them.

They spoke openly about wellbeing, identity, and what true support looks like. Their message? Support us, yes, but also trust us to lead.

Read more about the kōrero and the powerful insights shared.
https://healthyfamiliesrotorua.org.nz/let-us-lead-the-design/

💬 Are you a rangatahi in Rotorua?
Whiria: Te Rōpū Rangatahi o Ngāti Whakaue want to hear from you — about how you're feeling, what helps when things get hard, and what support actually works.

📲 Take the quick survey here https://tinyurl.com/uc5k8p5r

Rotorua rangatahi are calling for change — not just in how support is delivered, but in who gets to design it.

17/07/2025

Healthy Families Rotorua is planning a community-led symposium to explore how we can reduce alcohol harm and build a safer, stronger future together.

To make sure this kaupapa is shaped by you — your lived experiences, your whakaaro, and your hopes for the future — we’re asking for your input. Your voice will help shape the theme, direction, and focus of the symposium.

Share your thoughts in our survey ⬇️
https://tinyurl.com/3f8pfd5f

13/07/2025

We’re really pleased to welcome Stevee Wikiriwhi back to the team after her maternity leave. It’s great to have her energy and presence back in the whare.

We’re also happy to introduce Wharehuia Te Tokoihi, who has joined us as Rautaki Māori. He brings a depth of mātauranga and experience, and we’re looking forward to the journey ahead with him on board.

Ngā mihi nui ki a kōrua. It’s awesome to have you both with us 💚

08/07/2025

Insights from rangatahi are helping reshape a kaupapa that uses the koauau to support smoking and va**ng cessation in Rotorua. Te Hau o te Ora – The Breath of Life is backing hapū-led solutions and building cultural tools that support wellbeing, connection and healing.
Read more here:

A kaupapa using the koauau to support smoking and va**ng cessation in Rotorua is evolving, with powerful insights from rangatahi helping shape its next direction.

23/06/2025

We were proud to support Friday’s Matariki dawn ceremony held at Whakatahuna Ngaru at the Rotorua Lakefront. The ceremony was shaped by Ngāti Whakaue mātauranga and the strong relationships that have been nurtured over the years, creating a ceremony that was warm, intimate, and meaningful. We’re honoured to have walked alongside iwi as they lead us into this next chapter.

Healthy Families Rotorua is proud to have supported Te Hautapu Umu Kohukohu Whetū o Ngāti Whakaue, a dawn Matariki ceremony held on Friday at the Rotorua Lakefront.