This Story of Hope highlights Rupene Omahuru’s journey of healing through Runaia, a kaupapa Māori initiative reconnecting whānau to whakapapa, taiao, and holistic wellbeing. His lived experience shows how culturally grounded approaches transform lives, strengthen whānau, and inspire leadership.

Te Oranganui welcomes intern Alyeska Shore, a Global Studies student exploring art therapies for displaced communities. Informed by her own healing, she champions holistic care, draws on Māori symbology, and will help connect cultural knowledge with suicide prevention.

In this Whāriki webinar, Healthy Families kaimahi Ripeka Davis and Chy Potaka-Osborne joined Alex Woodley and Nadine Metzger from Point and Associates to unpack toxic stress, its impacts on tamariki, whānau and communities, and collective actions for safer, more supportive environments.

At Whangaehu Marae, HFWRR showed how crisis data aligns with Maramataka phases, affirming tūpuna knowledge. The insight shifts focus from crisis response to prevention, guiding culturally safe interventions grounded in mātauranga Māori and whenua rhythms.

At Te Whare Piringa, whānau share powerful stories of hapūtanga, parenting, and support. These testimonies show how trust, tikanga, and connection are helping parents find confidence and reclaim their mana.

Baillie Chadfield, Kahurangi Simon Jnr, and Keita Puru began as parents in the Hapū Māmā and Pāpā Villages. Today, they’re part of Te Whare Piringa, turning lived experience into leadership and whānau aspirations into reality.

Chy Potaka-Osborne’s blog challenges us to let go of clinical assumptions and centre whānau voice in innovation. True change comes when solutions are co-created with whānau, honouring lived experience and building systems that empower rather than prescribe.

Intern Daniel Hiroti’s report highlights how oral health in the first 2000 days shapes lifelong wellbeing. For tamariki Māori, systemic barriers like access to kai, dental care, and culturally safe services mean change is urgently needed. His vision calls for prevention, equity, and whānau-led solutions to ensure tamariki thrive with confidence, nutrition, and bright smiles.

Toxic Stress Symposium #2 examined how toxic stress affects health and wellbeing, with Point Research, community, and kaimahi discussing collective actions to tackle root causes such as poverty, food insecurity, and family violence.

Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, guides prevention and wellbeing. In Whanganui, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu, years of research led by Meretini Bennett-Huxtable have shown how lunar phases influence patterns of distress and resilience.

Jarna’s journey with Healthy Families WRR shows the power of rangatahi leadership, from kaupapa Māori initiatives to her internationally recognised Gambling Harm Insights Report.

The Suicide Prevention Insights Report highlights community-driven strategies, lived experiences, and systems change approaches to support mental wellbeing and prevent suicide across Whanganui, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu, with practical actions, local voices, and region-specific insights informing future efforts.

Through Rūnāia, whānau share powerful stories of overcoming addiction, mental health struggles, and disconnection. Their testimonies show how this kaupapa is helping people heal, reconnect with te ao Māori, and find pride and hope in their journeys.

Ra-wiri Kereti grew up in Taihape, and now she is raising her children in Whanganui, grounded in the strength of Māoritanga and whakapapa. She is a valued member of our team at Te Oranganui, embodying the true essence of Whānau Ora, that the whānau is at the heart of everything.

After studying psychology in Wellington, Kaia Potaka-Osborne returned to Whanganui to support whānau wellbeing through Te Oranganui’s Mokopuna Ora initiative. Her journey highlights the power of coming home, internships and whānau-centred care.

A special Māmā’s Day video honours māmā with heartfelt dedications from our kaimahi and community - a celebration of aroha and gratitude.

Isobel “Izzy” Clawson, a 19-year-old anthropology student from Indiana, reflects on her internship with Healthy Families Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu. Immersed in kaupapa Māori and community-led systems change, she shares her learnings about power sharing, cultural connection and designing with communities, not for them.

Te Whare Piringa provides whānau-centred maternity care through a living kaupapa that supports hapū māmā with holistic, culturally grounded services. This warm, connected space nurtures relationships, strengthens whānau, and reimagines care on the hapūtanga journey.