05/11/2025
This morning was a huge milestone for Ngāti Kahu Hauora we opened Whare Matua our Day Respite Cottage. This has been a very long standing project for us and we are very proud to now officially open it.
Whare Matua has a very special name - Waiāio
The name was gifted to us by Ngāti Kahu hapū representative Charlie Rahiri Jnr, he explains the name Waiāio refers to calm waters. This is synonymous with our connect to our awa, Wairoa, with key connection word being Wai as Ngāti Kahu are people of the river or the water. This name reflects that and today we celebrate not only the reopening of Waiāio, but the reawakening of its purpose, as a place of care, rest, and connection, dedicated to the wellbeing of our pakeke, our whānau, our hapū and our wider community.