Healthy Families Rotorua

22/07/2026

Healthy Families NZ has been recognised internationally after being featured as a case study by The King’s Fund, one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent health policy organisations.

Read more here:

Healthy Families NZ has been recognised internationally after being featured as a case study by The King's Fund, one of the United Kingdom's leading

21/07/2026

Our latest report, 'Who is Feeding Rotorua?', looks beyond supermarkets to map the many people, organisations and systems that keep whānau fed each day. It highlights the important role played by marae, māra kai, pātaka kai, food rescue initiatives, schools, local growers, hunters, gatherers and whānau networks alongside the commercial food system.

Read more here

Who is really feeding Rotorua?

09/07/2026

Ka kitea a Matariki, ka hoki mai ngā rau mahara.

We're sharing some special memories from Matariki kaupapa we've had the privilege to be part of over the years.

"When Matariki appears, cherished memories return." — Wharehuia Te Tokoihi

07/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki ✨

There are some awesome free community Matariki events happening across Rotorua this week. Whether you're keen for a drone show, night market, whānau activities, or an early morning hautapu ceremony, there's something for everyone.

🌟 Check out what's on below:

Aronui presents: Matariki Drone Show & Night Market - Thursday 9th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th July, 8pm nightly (weather dependent) Rotorua Night Market from 5pm Thursday, and 1pm Friday and Saturday https://www.facebook.com/events/1223380956431755/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_top_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Matariki at the Arts Village - Thursday, July 9th, 4pm - 7pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1677450156833305/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_top_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Matariki ki Te Puia - Friday, July 10th, 5am - 7am (Attendance to the Hautapu ceremony is free, but tickets are required) https://www.facebook.com/events/1223380956431755/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_top_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

24/06/2026

What would a kaupapa Māori birthing unit look like in Rotorua?

Over the past couple of weeks, local whānau have shared their experiences, aspirations and whakaaro through our Hapū Māmā & Pēpi survey. The feedback has highlighted a strong desire for maternity support that embraces tikanga Māori, strengthens connections to whakapapa, and supports the wellbeing of māmā, pēpi and whānau.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey and contribute to this important kaupapa. Your voices are helping shape future conversations about maternal wellbeing in Rotorua.

We've shared some of the key themes and insights in our latest story on our website. Read the full story here: https://healthyfamiliesrotorua.org.nz/rotorua-whanau-help-shape-vision-for-kaupapa-maori-birthing-unit/

23/06/2026

Our Rautaki Māori from across Te Manawa Taki are gearing up to head to Te Tai Tokerau for the national Te Kāhui Māori hui, hosted by our Healthy Families Far North team in Waitangi.

Over three days, Rautaki Māori, Māori systems innovators and practitioners from across the motu will come together to strengthen Māori-led prevention systems, deepen collective practice, and co-design a shared way forward.

As Te Manawa Taki, our Rautaki Māori have already been working closely together across the region, building relationships, sharing whakaaro, and strengthening our collective approach to systems change mahi. This hui is an opportunity to bring those regional connections into a national space.

We’re looking forward to gathering kanohi ki te kanohi in Te Tai Tokerau.

11/06/2026

🍋🍋 Inia has spent years walking out his front door and enjoying lemons from the Kereopa whānau's incredible heritage lemon tree!

Now he's looking forward to growing his own lemons from this very tree.

As part of our new Ngā Rākau Huaora kaupapa, with Maraeroa Mahinga Kai, we're working to identify, propagate, and grow heritage fruit trees throughout Ōhinemutu and Koutū.

These trees are taonga that have fed whānau for decades and hold stories, memories, and knowledge worth preserving.

10/06/2026

🌳🍋 Do you have a heritage fruit tree in Ōhinemutu or Koutū? We'd love to hear its story!

Healthy Families Rotorua and Maraeroa Mahinga Kai are exploring a new prototype kaupapa to identify, preserve, and propagate heritage fruit trees within our communities.

Right now, we're starting with a tree mapping exercise, and we're looking for old fruit-bearing trees in Ōhinemutu and Koutū. They might be lemon trees, plum trees, peach trees, apple trees, pear trees, feijoas, or any other fruit tree that has been growing and producing for many years.

These trees are taonga. They've already proven they can thrive in our local conditions, they've fed whānau for decades, and many hold special stories and memories.

If you have a heritage fruit tree on your property, or know someone who does, we'd love to hear from you. With your permission, we'd like to learn about the tree, hear its story, and potentially take cuttings to help grow future trees for our communities.

Read more about the kaupapa here: https://healthyfamiliesrotorua.org.nz/do-you-have-a-heritage-fruit-tree-in-ohinemutu-or-koutu-wed-love-to-hear-its-story/

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]

Healthy Families Rotorua is calling on residents of Ōhinemutu and Koutū to help uncover some of the community's hidden treasures as part of a new heritage kai

07/06/2026

What happens when you talk about alcohol without focusing on the negatives?

That was the challenge behind Ruru Parirau – Rewriting our Alcohol Story, a hui taumata that brought together whānau, community leaders and people working across the hauora sector to explore a different conversation about alcohol and wellbeing.

With plenty of laughter, powerful stories and inspiring whakaaro shared throughout the day, attendees left feeling optimistic about what’s possible when we focus on our strength and what keeps our communities strong.

Read more below 👇

A fresh approach to alcohol harm prevention left attendees optimistic about a different way forward following the recent Ruru Parirau – Rewriting our Alcohol

02/06/2026

"Mānawatia te āianei, titiro whakamuri, whakaaro ki te anamata, kōkiri whakamua!" - WTT

Last week, our Rautaki Māori, Wharehuia Te Tokoihi, joined members of Te Kāhui Māori o He Oranga Whānau Aotearoa in Te Tai Tokerau for its first wānanga of the year. Wharehuia shares his reflections on three days of wānanga, learning, connection, and exploring the histories that continue to shape our work with whānau and communities.

Last week, our Rautaki Māori, Wharehuia Te Tokoihi, joined members of He Oranga Whānau Aotearoa Kāhui Māori in Te Tai Tokerau for its first wānanga of the