MAURI OHO
Ko Pūtauaki te maunga
Ko Te Takanga i o Apa te wai
Ko Te Aotahi te tangata
Mai i te riu o Kawerau ngā hapū
Ko Hāhuru te tupuna whare
Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te tai te iwi
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Mauri Oho is an initiative in Kawerau which focuses on the well- being of whānau and hapū. The Mauri Oho team are determined to build and strengthen the resilience of whānau and hapū to enable them to live the best life that they can.
MAURI OHO’s philosophy is that well-being starts at conception. From this perspective, they deliver parenting programs for māmā and pāpā so that parents are able to obtain the information, education and resources they need to become great parents. Through this, they will be able to grow healthy tamariki, who will in turn, grow into healthy pakeke.
Mauri Oho has information, education and resources about health, suicide prevention and parenting and the kaupapa parenting program helps to build and strengthen resilience and provide whānau with coping strategies. There is also a core component that focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, fitness and housing support as these are other elements that are seen as essential to growing a healthy pēpi to a healthy pakeke.
The content of this programme is also shared with schools, hapū and whānau within various community settings, such as Marae, kohanga, hauora and iwi health events (as requested).
Whakapapa and whanaungatanga are crucial ingredients in MAURI OHO to developing a healthy Māori whānau as well as building resilience. These elements, within a Māori context, are important for growing self-esteem (mana) and pride (ihi), which is why they implement these in everyday practice.
Mauri Oho continues to develop and strengthen a network of connections, for whānau and hapū to have access to what they need for wellness. Without any of these vital resources, (Maoritanga, Education or Access to support), Māori whānau are more at risk of being isolated and vulnerable. Therefore, educating whānau in a tuakana/teina buddy system, means there is significant teaching and learning for their programme participants.
Organisation: Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau Health Education & Social Services
*This Regional initiative is supported by Te Au (and Te Rau Ora) through the Māori Suicide Prevention Fund.
