This month we had the absolute privilege of taking our rōpū of 20 kaumātua to Punakaiki to walk their Pathway. The sea breeze, the sound of waves crashing on the papa, and the gentle pace we walked together carried a feeling of calm, connection and deep appreciation. Every step was shared, every story treasured, and every moment wrapped in aroha.

After our tour, we came together for a delicious shared kai. The tables were full – not just with beautiful food, but with kōrero, memories, jokes, and that unmistakable kaumātua humor that fills a room right to the edges. These are the moments we hold close. Simple, joyful, grounded in whānau.

We have done the Māwhera (Greymouth) Pounamu Pathway, and the group are already buzzing with excitement to explore it next. Kawatiri (Westport) is also calling our names – another journey ahead, another story to write together. Each pathway holds history, knowledge and the footsteps of our people who have travelled before us. What a gift to be able to walk it with our pakeke by our side.

A year full of wānanga, laughter, challenge, growth and togetherness. We love them – not just for who they are today, but for everything they have survived that allows us to stand where we are now. They remind us that resilience runs in our blood. They are proof that we can endure hardships, rise again, and continue forward.

As we head toward the end of 2025, we are looking forward to sharing our Christmas dinner with them. A special time to celebrate relationships, acknowledge the year that has been, and simply enjoy each other’s company. These are our pillars, our taonga, our living libraries. We wouldn’t be here without them.

He whakaaro, he puna aroha – this is our kaumātua rōpū, and we are endlessly grateful.

Witnessing growth is a privilege. This year, we have had the honour of walking alongside a group of homeschooled rangatahi as they moved through a journey of learning, friendship, and rising above their own self-doubt. We watched anxiety slowly become accomplishment, and watched belonging grow where uncertainty once lived.

One moment that stands out was our zip-lining adventure. High up in the trees, toes over the edge of the platform, every young person met both physical and mental challenge — a direct face-off with their inner fears. I saw nervous glances, heard quiet hesitations, and watched shoulders rise with tension. Yet within our small, supportive group something beautiful unfolded. With one-on-one reassurance, gentle encouragement, and cheers from new friends, they chose courage.

One by one, they stepped forward.
One by one, they leapt.
“I can’t” became “I did it!”

Every single one of them overcame anxiety, self-doubt, and fear — and they did it together.

This success didn’t begin at the treetops. It was built from the foundation we have been growing throughout the year. The magic wasn’t just in adrenaline, but in connection. Our small numbers and intentional one-on-one support created emotional safety — a place where vulnerability is welcomed, where showing hesitation isn’t weakness, and where confidence grows quietly with time. At Te Kete, that sense of belonging continues to deepen through shared learning.

Supporting them with schoolwork, visiting places meaningful to them, and sitting side by side practising kupenga (net weaving) and other crafts — these moments taught them a different kind of resilience. Their hands were busy, voices calm, not always many words spoken, yet something powerful was happening. Threads crossed, knots tightened, friendships strengthened. Together they wove nets — and with them, a support system just as strong.

These experiences become stepping stones toward a confident future. Whether transitioning back into a traditional school setting or growing into a wider wrap-around support network, they now carry something precious: proof of their own strength, and the knowledge that they are surrounded by people who believe in them.

Watching these young people shift from hesitation to courage, from individuals to a connected rōpū, has been a joy. They didn’t just conquer a zip line — they conquered fear. They formed friendships. They discovered inner strength.

And we couldn’t be prouder.

I truly did not expect this nomination, and if I’m honest, I don’t feel like I deserve it. I know everyone will say I do, but in my heart, I believe there are so many others who are just as deserving, if not more. None of this mahi is ever done alone. We are all in this waka together, as our whakataukī reminds us.

There are countless people who have shaped my journey, lifted me, challenged me, and walked beside me. I could never thank them all, but every single one of them is part of why I stand where I do today.

To all of the beautiful whānau who trust me to support, guide, and walk alongside you, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. You are the heartbeat of this mahi. Your courage, your honesty, your belief in me is what keeps me going every single day. I love this work with all my heart and would not want to be anywhere else.

I am proud to be Māori, proud to serve my people on my own whenua, and proud to uplift our whānau in the ways I can. It is a privilege I never take for granted.

At the same time, I wish we didn’t have to do so much of this heavy mahi, mahi borne from colonisation, discrimination, trauma, and inequity. I dream of the day when our time is spent fully immersed in our taonga: mau rākau, te reo, kapa haka, raranga, miri miri, waka ama etc, everything that nourishes us.

But I know that if we keep supporting each other, guiding each other, and holding tight to our collective vision, we will get there. Maybe not in my lifetime, but perhaps for my mokopuna. With dreams like our kura and kōhanga on our whenua close, we are paddling in the right direction.

And finally, to my tīpuna, thank you. You hold me steady when the mahi gets hard, you guide my steps, and you cleared the pathway long before I walked it. Everything I do is because of you and for those yet to come.

Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa. He waka eke noa.

As we come to the end of another big, challenging year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge, honour, and celebrate our incredible Youth Team at Te Hono o Ngā Waka.

You are the heartbeat of so much of our mahi. You walk alongside some of the most vulnerable rangatahi of Te Tai o Poutini, the ones who are often misunderstood, pushed out, judged, or forgotten by the systems that were meant to serve them. Our youth who face discrimination, who have no mahi, who are navigating neurodiversity, unwellness, trauma, and lives with limited or no supports.

And let’s be clear, it’s not that our rangatahi don’t fit into the schooling system. It’s that the system has not adapted, shifted, or transformed to include them, uplift them, or respond to their needs. These are tamariki and rangatahi that the system didn’t serve at all, and still, you continue to show them that they matter, that they belong, and that they are absolutely worth investing in.

This mahi is not light work, but you carry it with such grace.

This year has been another tough one. We welcomed two new kaimahi into the rōpū, and even in the middle of huge learning curves, they jumped in with courage and heart. And to our Team Leader, after the most horrendous health year anyone could imagine, you still led with strength, humility, and fierce dedication. Most people can’t even comprehend what you have gone through, yet you continued to guide the team, support our rangatahi, and uphold the mana of this kaupapa. That’s leadership. That’s love. That’s purpose.

To each of you:
Your resilience is inspiring.
Your aroha is powerful.
Your mahi is changing lives, even on the days it feels invisible.

I see you.
Our community sees you.
Our rangatahi feel you walking beside them, even when they can’t always say it.

Thank you for every long day, every late-night message or tabletop gaming, every crisis attended, every ride given, every kōrero held, every laugh, every tear, and every bit of magic you bring into the lives of our young people.

Keep shining.
Keep doing what you do.
Because what you do matters more than you’ll ever know.

Ngā mihi nunui — forever grateful for you, Team Rangatahi.

Our Wāhine Pamper Day was a stunning reminder of what happens when wāhine come together to uplift, nurture, and celebrate one another. Around 18–20 wāhine joined us for a day dedicated to rest, reflection, and selfcare with free haircuts, nails, waewae mirimiri, and a chance to experience somatic therapy.

The atmosphere was full of laughter, kōrero, and aroha. As we shared kai and stories, we reflected on our journeys, some just beginning with us, others who have walked alongside Te Hono o Ngā Waka for the past five years. Each wahine brought her own story of growth, resilience, and transformation, and together we created a beautiful kupenga (net) of connection and support.

This day wasn’t just about pampering, it was about manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and recognizing the strength of wāhine who hold so much for their whānau and communities. Kupenga is about weaving those threads together, strengthening each strand through aroha and shared experience.

We left feeling lighter, restored, and deeply connected. The kōrero, the laughter, the care, all reminders that when wāhine fill their own cups, they have even more to pour back into their whānau.

And yes, by popular demand, we’ll definitely be doing this again! These moments of celebration and healing are what keep our kaupapa strong.

He wāhine, he whenua, ka ngaro te tangata- Without women and land, humanity is lost.

Our 8-week Giving Up Vape/Smoke Support Group has wrapped up with incredible success!
Nine amazing whānau came together with courage, honesty, and aroha, learning, healing, and reclaiming their hauora.

Five have already quit completely, three have cut right back, and everyone gained new tools, confidence, and whanaungatanga.

We’re so proud of this kaupapa and all those who took part, proving that change happens through connection, culture, and compassion.

Thank you to the PHO who continue to sort us on this Journey esp Jackie who now is part of the team on a Thursday

#TeHāOra #TeHonoONgāWaka #Hauora #WhānauWellbeing #SmokeFreeAotearoa #ManaMotuhake #Whanaungatanga #ReclaimYourBreath

At Te Hono o Ngā Waka, we’re always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and bring fresh knowledge back home to Te Tai o Poutini. This month, Julia and I were incredibly blessed to travel to Auckland to attend the very first NATINA Conference – Neuroscience and Trauma-Informed Network Aotearoa.

It was a full house with around 20 incredible speakers, each bringing their own blend of lived experience, expertise, and deep compassion. Every kōrero was powerful, you could feel the passion in the room as people spoke about changing systems, shifting mindsets, and centering aroha in all we do.

The conference brought together like minded people from all across Aotearoa, all committed to improving inclusion, equality, learning, and wellbeing for our tamariki in kura and in our wider communities. The kaupapa aligns perfectly with our mahi here on the Coast, where we walk alongside whānau with a trauma-informed, whānau-centred approach.

One kōrero that really stayed with us was this:

“Behavior is communication – listen, observe, validate, and empathise.”

We were reminded to ask pātai, look for the need driving the behavior, and most importantly, to see the person, not just the problem.
Meet the need. Reconnect. Equip tamariki with better ways to express themselves in the future. Model the behavior you want to teach in that order. That’s the heart and soul of working with our tamariki and whānau, instead of against them.

Sometimes the solution to a connection problem begins with just nine simple words:

“I’m here.” “I hear you.” “How can I help?”

This wānanga filled our kete with new insights, tools, and aroha. We came home feeling re-energised and grounded in purpose ready to keep building trauma informed, compassionate spaces for our tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau across Te Tai o Poutini.

At Te Hono o Ngā Waka, we’ll continue to walk alongside our community listening, learning, and leading with aroha so every whānau feels seen, heard, and supported to thrive.

This year we have been truly blessed to continue the Kaumātua Hui — a beautiful kaupapa originally started by Reo Māori Mai. With the support of our two hapū, this monthly gathering has carried on, bringing our kaumātua together to share laughter, stories, and plenty of kai.

Our very own Mikayla has taken the lead on this kaupapa — nerves and all — and she’s done an incredible job creating days filled with fun, aroha, and connection. From bingo (lots of bingo!) to crafts, movie days, planting sessions and more, every month has brought something new and special.

A huge mihi to Mikayla for her heart and dedication, and to all her helpers along the way, Tina, Hayley, Nicole, and many others who’ve supported behind the scenes to make each hui run smoothly.

We also want to give a big thank you to Reo Māori Mai for getting this kaupapa started and setting such a beautiful foundation for us to continue. Your mahi has left a lasting legacy for our community and kaumātua.

We’re already looking forward to our big Christmas celebration together and to another year ahead in 2026, filled with laughter, friendship, and shared memories.

He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa, thank you for keeping this special kaupapa alive and thriving.

Last week, our incredible rangatahi took to the stage for their kapa haka dress rehearsal at the Hokitika Regent Theatre and what an unforgettable night it was!

Over 200 people filled the theatre, a true reflection of the deep connection between the group, their whānau, and our wider community. The energy, pride, and aroha in the room were palpable as our rangatahi performed with such grace, professionalism, and passion.

I remember like it was yesterday when Whakataerangi, the founder, came to me with an idea. She said she wanted to develop a rangatahi kapa haka group, but wasn’t sure how or where to start and she had no funding. It sounded like the best idea ever, and I told her, “I’m not sure how either, but let’s just start. I’ll fully support you, and we’ll make it work it’s great for the youth of Te Tai o Poutini, and great for our whānau and community.”

From that moment, the journey began. Since then, we’ve done countless funding applications, built partnerships, and received incredible support from across our community. It has been truly inspiring to see it all come together the dream becoming a living, breathing kaupapa that uplifts everyone involved.

The rangatahi come from all over Te Tai O Poutini, and the commitment from each and every one of them is nothing short of amazing. Man, can they sing! Their poi, their actions, and their haka took our breath away. They even wrote their own words and actions.

Their performance was a celebration of all their hard work over the past year, every waiata, haka, and movement reflecting their passion, dedication, and pride.

As they prepare to compete in Christchurch this December, they continue to train hard, growing in confidence, unity, and strength with each practice. Watching their growth has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far they’ve come.

E mihi ana ki a koutou katoa ngā rangatahi, ngā kaiako, ngā mātua, me te hapori whānui — for your unwavering support and aroha.
Christchurch, get ready — Te Tai o Poutini is coming with heart, mana, and pride!
Love your mahi, rangatahi. Kei runga noa atu koutou!

As a Kaiwhakahaere of Te Hono o Ngā Waka, and in my role as a Justice of the Peace, I witness first-hand the scale of hardship our whānau are facing. Increasingly, I am asked to sign KiwiSaver withdrawal forms, not for the purchase of a first home, but simply so whānau can survive another week. The funds that were supposed to provide security for the future are being drained to cover today’s bills, leaving no pathway forward.

On the ground here in Te Tai o Poutini, the reality is stark and unrelenting.

• Emergency housing is failing. Families are placed in motels for months on end, with no plan and no hope of moving into a safe, stable home. Tamariki are growing up surrounded by uncertainty, without the security of a place to belong. The constant moves, overcrowding, and lack of routine are taking a heavy toll on their wellbeing and their learning.

• Rents are out of control. Whānau are handing over most of their paychecks just to keep a roof overhead. After rent, there is little left for food, power, petrol, or school costs. Choices no parent should have to make, like whether to heat the house or feed their children properly, are now daily realities. Many are left in cold, damp, overcrowded homes that make asthma, sickness, and hospital visits part of everyday life.

• Home ownership is out of reach. For most families, the dream of owning a home has vanished completely. They have been shut out of the housing market, not just today but for the foreseeable future. The effect is intergenerational, children are growing up without the stability and pride that comes with home ownership, and parents are watching the chance of building equity and security for their whānau slip further away every year.

This is not only an economic crisis, it is also a cultural and intergenerational one. As Māori, we are in the midst of learning about both colonisation and decolonisation. On one hand, decolonisation is empowering us to reclaim reo, tikanga, mātauranga, and identity. On the other, learning the full truth of colonisation can be devastating. It forces us to face how land loss, displacement, systemic racism, and deliberate suppression of our reo and tikanga have created the inequities we live with today.

For many whānau, this knowledge lands heavily when they are already carrying the daily struggle of poverty and housing insecurity. It is retraumatising to learn that the struggles of today are not accidental, they are the direct result of generations of colonisation. Whānau are expected to heal from trauma while still living in unsafe homes, signing away their KiwiSaver for survival, and trying to raise tamariki in environments that strip away dignity and hope.

Our resilience is not in question. Our people are working hard, showing strength, and doing all they can to survive. But survival should not mean sacrificing the future. Each KiwiSaver withdrawal I sign is not just a document, it is another reminder of whānau forced to spend their future just to make it through the present.

The truth is simple: band-aid measures are no longer enough. Motel rooms and emergency fixes cannot replace real homes. Without systemic change, long-term housing solutions, and a commitment to equity for rural and Māori whānau, the crisis will only deepen.

What is needed is urgent, structural action: investment in affordable housing, stronger protections for renters, and pathways to home ownership that are realistic for ordinary whānau. Every family deserves the dignity of a safe, warm, stable home, not just for today, but for generations to come.

My call is simple: decision-makers must act now.

• Central government must prioritise rural housing equity and Māori housing initiatives.

• Local councils must stop deferring responsibility and invest in long-term housing infrastructure.

• Iwi, hapū, and community providers must be resourced to lead solutions grounded in our values and whakapapa.

Without this, Te Tai o Poutini will continue to carry the unbearable weight of both immediate survival and intergenerational trauma. And I will keep signing the papers, witnessing futures being sacrificed because the system has failed them.

Would you like me to make a short, hard-hitting version of this at the end too (like a 3–4 sentence summary) that you could use for social media alongside the full blog?

At Te Hono o Ngā Waka, we believe in the power of small, consistent connections to grow strong communities. Over the past few months, our team has been privileged to support a range of kaupapa-led groups aimed at uplifting our rangatahi and whānau — and we’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as gathering around kai or weaving together can create real impact.

From our Kupenga, Cooking, mental health and life skills sessions to our Online Learning Support options, these groups have become safe, welcoming spaces for learning, growth, and whakawhanaungatanga.

Kupenga and Cooking – More Than Just Skills

Whether it's learning how to prepare a hearty meal or weaving a kupenga with care and patience, our hands-on sessions have offered more than just practical skills. They’ve been about connection. Often, we’ve had three generations sitting side by side — tamariki, mātua, and kaumātua — sharing stories, laughter, and knowledge. These moments of intergenerational exchange are powerful. They affirm identity, strengthen whakapapa ties, and remind us that we are all learners and teachers in different ways.

Cooking together has also been a chance to kōrero about kai sovereignty, budgeting, healthy eating, and keeping traditions alive through our kai. For many of our rangatahi, it’s been their first time in the kitchen learning these skills — and they’ve stepped up with pride.

Supporting Learning, Online and In Person

We also understand that learning looks different for everyone. For those navigating school or trying to re-engage with education, our Online Learning Support options have been there to help. Whether it’s helping with assignments, creating space for tamariki to focus outside of the home, or connecting whānau with digital tools — we’re proud to walk alongside them.

We’ve seen beautiful moments of rangatahi gaining confidence in themselves and their learning journey. Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in you and showing up week after week.

A Space to Belong

These small groups might seem simple — a shared meal, a quiet learning session, a woven net — but they represent something much bigger: belonging. Our kaupapa is always about creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported, no matter their age or stage.

As our whānau continue to show up for each other in these spaces, we’re reminded that healing, growth, and transformation happen through relationships, not just programmes. And for that, we are incredibly grateful.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has been part of our groups so far. Your presence, energy and aroha make all the difference. We look forward to continuing this mahi with you all.