The Te Oranga Nui Tonu
Kaitaia : Northland
Oranga Nui Tonu is an initiative from Kaitaia utilising sport as a way of bringing wellness to their community.
After tragic losses within the whānau, Oranga Nui Tonu was born out of the need to address issues of shock, disbelief and unresolved questions for many whānau members. The Oranga Nui Tonu team saw a lack of knowledge and skills within whānau, to cope or manage traumatic experiences such as this, so they put their heads together and asked themselves, “What can we do about it?’. The team decided to come from a wellness approach, organising sporting events, or sponsoring sporting events, where whānau Māori and other members of the community can participate, experience and learn together.
With a focus on teamwork, groups register to be involved in activities throughout the event. Activities include:
- Team registration packs containing merchandise printed with positive, uplifting messaging;
- Short quizzes that run throughout the event with spot prizes for winners!;
- Sports activities;
- Positivity and strengths focused approaches to the day.
It is hoped that the Oranga Nui Tonu kaupapa will eventually be delivered in schools, on the marae, and in public places. This initial event is a step forward to that vision, in the hope that whānau will be continually reminded about the gift of life – He taonga tuku iho te oranga o te tangata!
*This whānau initiative is proudly supported by Te Au (and Te Rau Ora) through the Māori Suicide Prevention Fund (2020-2021).
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Reflections from event:
The initial Sporting Event planned for August 2020 had to be postponed because of COVID 19 however, by November 2020 an Outdoor Bowling event was organised. This became a great social event for whānau to connect while playing. The event was well attended by whanau of all ages. We hope to run the August Sporting event again in 2021.
