Nga Mihi Maioha
Yesterday we were humbled to receive this award for our contribution to the wellbeing and development of our whānau.
“Te Hono O Ngā Waka” is a Māori phrase that translates to “The Binding of the Canoes” in English . The phrase is often used to describe the coming together of different groups or communities for a common purpose .
At Te Hono o Ngā Waka, we are leading the way in upskilling whānau to support whānau, addressing the issues of colonisation and trauma and creating spaces and opportunities for people to grow and learn by reconnecting them to their māoritanga. We believe that being Māori is a superpower, and we have our own answers if we are allowed to follow our solutions, based on our rich and diverse heritage, our unique and dynamic worldview, our vibrant and expressive language, our collective and collaborative spirit, and our creative and innovative potential. Being Māori is not a disadvantage or a burden, but an advantage and a blessing. Being Māori is a superpower that we can use to make a positive difference in our own lives, our communities, and our society.
We have a team of dedicated staff and volunteers with lived experience and passion for our future mahi. We offer opportunities to upskill and learn new things so we can all paddle our waka together. We help our whānau navigate and advocate for themselves in the services and systems that are not designed with their needs and values in mind. We ask them about their whakapapa, connect them to their culture and community, acknowledge the impacts of colonisation on their lives, and create a space for them to imagine and pursue their aspirations. By doing so, we support their healing and wellbeing, and honour their mana, whakapapa and whanaungatanga.
Our work is centred around empowering our whānau and community to live healthier, happier lives. We are proud of the impact we have on our whānau and community, and it is what drives us to keep going.
We are grateful for this award, which shows us that we are doing our job, and you can see us and our whānau out there in our community.
No reira tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.