PITOPITO KŌRERO

An initiative for pregnant Waikato women, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, now has a role of more than 200 women.

Hapū Wananga was launched last year and mirrors that of a programme in Finland where mothers are provided education on a range of issues as well as starter packs of clothes, sheets, toys and a bed for their baby.…

Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) staff from across the country assembled at Te Mānuka Tutahi marae in Whakatāne to launch the Marae Emergency Preparedness Planning Toolkit.

Emergency Management Bay of Plenty Director Clinton Naude says the toolkit serves to build and strengthen relationships with marae and hapu and provide planning resources for marae preparedness.

“Like most of New Zealand, the Bay of Plenty needs to be…

The Public Health Association wants to change the conversation about why Māori have worse health outcomes than other New Zealanders.

Māori are more likely to get sick and live shorter lives than other New Zealanders and many of the root causes are blamed on the aftermath of colonisation.

The Public Health Association, which is holding a Māori health symposium in Wellington next month, does not want…

A new partnership between Ngati Ranginui iwi and the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation is set to tackle Maori health issues head on. The Mauri Ora Project, which was signed last Friday, aimed to address health issues identified by hapu and marae groups.

Mauri Ora project manager Charlie Rahiri said the partnership would be about recognising health deprivation and how the iwi could…

Te Hapū O Ngāti Wheke is the heart of the Rāpaki community, and it’s a heart the hapū are committed to keeping healthy.

The small settlement of Rāpaki sits on the on the shores of Lyttelton Harbour, and is one of four marae-based communities situated on the Banks Peninsula.

Rāpaki Office manager Cushla Dwyer is helping lead the challenge of creating a healthier environment.

‘The health of…

A Rotorua marae has officially opened its maara kai (garden) to the community, inviting locals to come and grow their own food.

Apumoana Marae co-ordinator Hedi Symon said they had been working on the garden since April. "It was Bernard Hornfleck's idea, he has had a long association with the marae and he got on board to help with the garden."

Marae committee member Eraia Kiel…

A Rotorua chef is changing the way he caters on marae in an effort to improve the health of Maori.

Jermaine Webby (Ngati Whakaue, Tuhourangi ki Tarawera) has been catering for tangihanga, hui, and private functions at local marae for over 10 years, and says marae need to be setting examples for Maori in what they should be eating.

He says this means more fresh fruit…