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.

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.

Discover how a Whanganui māmā helped co-design Te Whare Piringa - a supportive space for hapū māmā and whānau - and how her journey from participant to kaimahi is creating lasting change for others.

Te Oranganui kaimahi came together with Dr Veronica Tawhai at the Te Tiriti Symposium, sharing reflections on the deeper truths of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how this knowledge strengthens cultural resilience today.

A powerful look at He Waka Eke Noa: The Toxic Stress Symposium, where 124 attendees and 51 organisations came together to address toxic stress, champion whānau-led solutions, and drive collective action for long-term wellbeing across generations.

Meet Bella Smith, a global studies scholar from the USA bringing Afro-Indigenous insight to Aotearoa. Learn how her work with Healthy Families WRR is advancing local research, Māori wellbeing, and indigenous-led solutions.