Te Pūtahitanga created a video highlighting the progress and success of our Kōanga Kai project.

Award winning author Marlene J. Bennetts (Te Āti Awa) will release her autobiography Whakaaetanga/Acceptance in June, telling her story of overcoming adversity and disability to become an accomplished writer. She aims to encourage others facing challenges to overcome, and will donate 95% of the proceeds to support disabled Māori through Whānau Ora initiative Hei Whakapiki Mauri.

Paora Poihipi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou, grew up working the whenua. He is now sharing this mātauranga with whānau in Ōtautahi through the Hei Whakapiki Mauri Kōanga Kai gardening project.

After hearing stories of disabled people being treated unfairly for not wearing masks, Hei Whakapiki Mauri stepped up to raise awareness of mask-wearing and the fact that some whānau are unable to wear a mask. The rōpū have created a tote bag to spread the message in te reo Māori and raise funds to support whānau.

In celebration of Matariki, Hei Whakapiki Mauri whānau came together on 10 July at Christchurch North Methodist Parish to witness performances and hear stories about the whakapapa and life experiences of fellow whānau members.

Hei Whakapiki Mauri was invited as part of a select group of kaupapa to present to the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL). Kaiwhakahaere Ruth Jones and Navigators Waikura McGregor and Billy Willis shared stories of the power of Whānau Ora and taking a kaupapa Māori approach to supporting whānau with disabilities.

The story of how Hei Whakapiki Mauri brings whānau together through mahi aroha.

The story of Ayla: loving, caring, kind, sporty, adventurer, dancer, singer.

Wayne’s journey with Hei Whakapiki Mauri began with finding a new whare and quickly evolved into becoming part of a whole new whānau.

Learning about Te Ao Māori through Hei Whakapiki Mauri has encouraged the Carpenter whānau to further explore the whakapapa of daughters Batin and May, who were both adopted from Thailand.

Kere and his partner Tracy moved to Christchurch in 2016, leaving their home, jobs and lives that were centred around their marae and hapu. Through Hei Whakapiki Mauri, the couple are now re-igniting their cultural connection and say they have found a strong Māori community that feels like family.

We welcomed Maurice (Mau) Rehu to Hei Whakapiki Mauri late last year, where he has been working with Whānau Ora Navigator Waikura McGregor. Read more about Mau’s story here.

Tamara Nolan’s all-natural aromatherapy range includes products to help people relax plus dishwasher and laundry tablets which make life easier for those who live with a disability, as well as those who have busy lives.

Hei Whakapiki Mauri was involved in the recent Disability Matters Conference.  The theme was Making the Convention Real - Kia whai tikanga te Kawenata.

Navigator Waikura supported May's whānau to arrange their Mum's beautiful tangi and complete May's business. She was able to make a difference in a time of need.

Getting back to his Māori roots has been transformative for Stewart Rehutai after having a stroke.