The South Island Whānau Ora commissioning agency, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is not sitting in its Christchurch office waiting for action, it’s taking to the highways on a regular basis engaging with people and spreading the word about the innovative nature of Whānau Ora and what is being achieved with public funding.

In August, the entire team of 13, the majority whom are normally based in Christchurch, immersed itself in Murihiku, travelling the highways from Queenstown and Dunedin to Hokonui, Awarua and Waihōpai. For Te Pūtahitanga Chief Executive, Helen Leahy it was an opportunity to build on the staff hīkoi to Te Tau Ihu (Picton, Nelson, Blenheim) early in 2016. [Read more…]

In wave three of the Whānau Ora commissioning of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, a specific fund was introduced targeted at increasing the health and wellbeing through a medium of physical and cultural activity. The intent of the ‘Move our Motu’ event held in early May was to bring together stakeholders to encourage collaboration and innovative ways to increase whānau physical and cultural activity. The event was focused on generating initiatives which are driven by the Whānau Ora outcomes, and in particular Pou Rua: living healthy lifestyles and Pou Whā: Whānau in Te Waipounamu are confidently participating in Te Ao Māori. [Read more…]