Healthy Families Rotorua

17/06/2026

📢 Quick reminder!

Our survey exploring what a Kaupapa Māori Birthing Unit might look like in Rotorua closes Friday at 2pm.

If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to share your whakaaro and help shape the future of maternity care for Rotorua whānau.

Update: Survey is now closed.

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.

11/06/2026

Every whānau deserves access to safe, high-quality maternity care close to home 💚

We're exploring what a Kaupapa Māori Birthing Unit might look like in Rotorua, and want to hear from our community.

Whether you're a hapū māmā, pāpā, koeke, whānau member, or someone who cares about the wellbeing of pēpi and whānau, your voice is important.

Update: Survey is now closed.

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

02/06/2026

21/05/2026

But wait, there's more! A huge mihi to our mate Alkana from Healthy Families Te Ngira who captured these cool pics from our Ruru Parirau Hui Taumata.

E tino rongo ana i te wairua o te hui taumata o Ruru Parirau i wēnei pikitia 📸🙌💚

21/05/2026

I tīhorea te rangi e pai ai tā Te Rā whiti mai ki runga i tā tātau hui taumata o Ruru Parirau 😁

What an awesome day we had at our Ruru Parirau Hui Taumata on Wednesday! The day was filled with beautiful kōrero, laughter, inspiration, and a real sense of kotahitanga. We’re still taking it all in and will be sharing more about the kaupapa, speakers, and key moments over the coming days. In the meantime, here are a few photos we captured throughout the day. Ngā mihi nui to everyone who joined us, shared their whakaaro, and helped make this kaupapa so special 💚