Ā mātou kōrero

  Kānapanapa mai ana a MatarikiMatariki shines on the New Year I love the magic of Matariki. There is nothing that represents our evolving nationhood more than the celebration of Matariki resplendent in the dawn sky. From 25 to 28…

Media Release FOR RELEASE, 21 June 2019 Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu : Waking up to Wellness   In the lead up to a series of celebrations of rangatahi, whānau and the community, Maranga Mai Te Waipounamu, the Whānau Ora Commissioning…

  Just outside of Ohakune, there is a wāhi tapu, a sacred lake called Rotokura. Within that lake resides the answers for all our children and mokopuna who whakapapa to this special place. Literally. Puna – the glimmering, pristine birth-waters;…

South Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency says the clear statement of fact about the detrimental impact of colonisation and racism which impact on whānau Māori across generations is a powerful challenge to the nation. “The name of the report, translating…

Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu celebrates the distinguished service of whānau champions across the South Island who have been awarded Queen’s Birthday honours. “We pay special tribute to Claire Aitken – who has been a steadfast advocate for tangata whaiora…

  Kia ao ake te rā, he tio, he keo, he hauhunga Let the day dawn with freezing cold, ice and frost This week the sharp bite of frost has greeted us throughout Te Waipounamu.   Window-screen iced over, the crisp…

  Health is a state of body.   Wellness is a state of being. There has been a lot said about the so-called Wellbeing budget this week. To my mind, wellbeing is just the English name for Whānau Ora. Wellbeing is…

Te Taumata – the iwi stakeholders for Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu – has today announced the appointment of a new Chairperson for its Board, Tā Mark Solomon.   “We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Tā Mark as…

  In my former life working in parliament between 1999-2015, I was frequently horrified at the banter that went on in the House, which was normalized as parliamentary privilege, the apparent right to say whatever one wanted. To even identify…

Media Release FOR RELEASE, 19 May 2019 Family and Sexual Violence: Whānau have the solutions Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu welcomes the Government’s announcement today of funding of $320 million to break the cycle of family and sexual violence, but…