Healthy Families Rotorua

17/12/2025

16/12/2025

As 2025 comes to an end, we reflect on a year of solid mahi across the rohe.

It has been a year of learning, strengthening relationships and supporting community-led change alongside whānau, hapū and partners. From local kaupapa to regional collaboration, the focus has stayed on what matters most to our communities.

Read the full story to see what we’ve been part of this year and where the mahi is heading next.

Tātai whetū ki te rangi, mau tonu, mau tonu,Tātai tangata ki te whenua, ngaro noa, ngaro noa!Ki te wahine rangatira nō Te Tai Tokerau,ki a Kathleen Wharton,

01/12/2025

We were privileged to celebrate the opening of Horohoro School’s new asphalt pump track last week. The track was alive with tamariki building confidence, staying active and enjoying being on wheels.

This milestone reflects the school’s vision and hard mahi, supported by whānau, partners and the wider Horohoro community. Healthy Families Rotorua supported the initiative by strengthening funding bids, connecting the school with partners and helping shape the project in line with the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi.

With no footpaths or safe cycleways in Horohoro, having a dedicated place to ride is important. The track builds balance and confidence, and the smoother perimeter trail supports walking, wheeling, scootering and accessibility for disabled community members and kaumātua 💚🚲

24/11/2025

🌱 Food Forest Workshop Reminder!

Kia ora! A quick reminder that our Food Forest Workshop is on this Sunday 30 November 2025 at Maraeroa Mahinga Kai, Aratau St, Ōhinemutu.

Learn food forest basics, get hands-on, and connect with others passionate about kai and whenua.

Register here: healthyfamilies@tawo.org.nz

Mauri ora!

20/11/2025

Today’s Hā o te Ora wānanga was all about connection to natural environments when playing koauau and ukutangi. We visited Lake Rotokawau, where our roopū connected further through whakapapa, purākau, wai, and ngahere. Such a beautiful day, for a beautiful kaupapa 💚

05/11/2025

We’d like to invite you to a Plant Out Day!

This month, we’ll be coming together to grow a syntropic food forest in Ōhinemutu and we’d love to see you there. Come along to learn, get your hands in the soil, and connect with a growing community of kaitiaki and food growers.

🌱 Bring a clipping or cutting from your garden to contribute to the food forest, let's grow this space together!

🗓 10am, Sunday 30 November 2025
📍 Maraeroa Mahinga Kai, Arataua Street, Ōhinemutu
☕️ Light refreshments provided

For catering purposes register your interest at: healthyfamilies@tawo.org.nz

03/11/2025

At the latest Te Hā o te Ora wānanga, participants explored the sacredness of breath and its connection to wellbeing. The session introduced the maramataka as a way to observe and reflect on daily life and personal wellbeing. Participants then took part in a hands-on workshop, creating their own ukutangi from clay as part of their learning journey, strengthening their understanding of breath through practice and creativity. Read more here:

The second Te Hā o te Ora wānanga built on the momentum of the first, helping participants explore the connection between breath, environment and wellbeing.

02/11/2025

At last week’s Te Hā o te Ora wānanga, participants explored the sacredness of breath and its connection to wellbeing. The session focused on the maramataka and the ways it can guide daily life, with participants receiving resources to make their own observations and record reflections.

They also took part in a hands-on workshop, creating their own ukutangi from clay as part of their learning journey.

21/10/2025

You've seen the pics, now read more about the first Te Hā o te Ora wānanga held at Te Kuirau Marae last week.

Our taonga pūoro facilitator, Mikaere Berryman-Kamp, says the connection between taonga pūoro and the breath is central to both the practice and the healing process.

“Most of our taonga pūoro have an element of breath involved, some more so than others. Through the relationship you develop with taonga pūoro, you begin to understand more about breath, something that we take for granted and often do completely subconsciously.

"Once you establish a baseline, you can track your progress with your taonga, both in terms of playing and breathing ability.”

He said this connection makes taonga pūoro a natural fit for a kaupapa focused on respiratory health and cessation.

The first Te Hā o te Ora wānanga was an inspiring start to the series, as participants connected through kōrero, te ao Māori, and taonga pūoro.