Healthy Families Rotorua

10/09/2026

We went door-knocking along Ariariterangi Street this morning to start mapping the heritage fruit trees growing around Ōhinemutu as part of our Ngā Rākau Huaora kaupapa, a collab with Maraeroa Mahinga Kai.

We were thrilled to find apple, mandarin, lemon, lemonade, orange, grape, plum and fig trees, with whānau happy for us to take cuttings from these special old trees so they can be propagated and shared with future generations.

Through Ngā Rākau Huaora, we hope to help care for these trees, preserve the stories connected to them, and eventually distribute new trees grown from the OGs back out into the community.

We’ll be making our way around the rest of Ōhinemutu over the coming days, so if you have an old fruit tree at your whare that you’d like to be part of the kaupapa, let us know! 🌳🍎🍋

08/09/2026

Local organisations working with and for rangatahi are reconnecting through Pūtake Nui to explore how they can collaborate more effectively to support rangatahi across Rotorua. The latest hui brought people back around the table to share what they’re seeing, where the gaps are, and where working together could make a difference. Read more below 👇

A collective impact approach to support rangatahi reach their potential is bringing local organisations together to look at where their combined influence

27/08/2026

Ngā mihi to everyone who took part in and contributed to the Hā o te Ora prototype, where we explored how taonga puoro could support smoking and va**ng cessation. In this video, we hear from some of the team behind the kaupapa, as well as one of the participants, who share their experiences of Hā o te Ora.

Hā o te Ora was a prototype exploring a te ao Māori approach to smo...

24/08/2026

We're bringing together organisations working alongside rangatahi to explore how they can better support rangatahi aspirations across Rotorua. Building on what rangatahi have already told us about what helps them thrive and the barriers they face, the group will co-design a collective impact session to look at where stronger connections, shared knowledge, and collective influence could make a difference.

An ecosystem of organisations working with rangatahi across Rotorua is coming together to explore how they can better support rangatahi aspirations across the

23/08/2026

Our Rautaki Māori, Wharehuia Te Tokoihi, recently joined whānau and organisations from across Rotorua and surrounding hapori at the He Aturangi ka Mamao Su***de Prevention and Postvention Wānanga at Lake Ōkataina. Over two days, participants spoke openly about su***de, grief, healing, and hope, sharing lived experiences and knowledge about what good support can look like for whānau. Wharehuia says the wānanga showed the value of bringing people together, strengthening connections, and learning from those who have experienced these challenges firsthand. Read the full story below. 👇

Our Rautaki Māori, Wharehuia Te Tokoihi, recently attended the He Aturangi ka Mamao Su***de Prevention and Postvention Wānanga at Lake Ōkataina, where

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/