It’s been a busy month for the Healthy Families Far North whānau, who are supporting and holding spaces in different kaupapa around the motu. Want to know more? Here’s a snapshot of some of the mahi we’ve been involved with in and around the rohe.
Rangatahi take the wheel to re-imagine active travel in Kerikeri
No matter where we live or our circumstances, everyone should be able to move easily around our cities and neighbourhoods in ways which support our health and wellbeing – and it’s our rangatahi who are taking the wheel to understand what that means for Kerikeri.
This month, nine students who either live and/or attend school in Kerikeri have been busy working on a sprint initiative to help transform the way people travel in their community. They’ve been out and about over the school holidays collecting data, walking the proposed routes and having lots of different conversations with people about their experiences with active transport and the needs of those who live, work and play in Kerikeri. All of this information will help support the transport choices project to better understand our communities experiences of how they get around. To find out more about the Kerikeri Transport Choices or to have your say, see here: https://bit.ly/3OakLY7
Ringa Raupā: Strengthening sports volunteers in the Far North
Healthy Families Far North are working closely with sports organisations to explore how the sports sector can better support it’s volunteers – the ringa raupā of our communities.
There has been an overwhelming desire and need to rethink how our volunteers are supported across the sports sector here in the Far North. A workshop was held earlier this month to better understand what is currently happening, what is working and not working, where we might want to get to, and what some of the barriers might be that are currently blocking us all from getting there. National Sports Organisations and Sport Northland Regional Trust are invested in understanding what it takes to shift gears to grow and support those important people on the ground who keep the wheels moving. Want to know more? Email [email protected]
Matauri Bay School adopt Tāmokohia te Whenua
Matauri Bay School are working alongside Sport Northland and Healthy Families Far North to introduce Tāmokohia te Whenua into their kura next term, where tamariki draw from local pūrākau to design and produce play courses that are important to them.
Tāmokohia te whenua is an adaptation of Sport Northland’s Play on the Way, which encourages schools to connect with mana whenua, local marae and to learn the history of their rohe through movement and games; exploring new ways to increase physical activity that put our tamariki at the centre of decisions that enhance the spaces they play in. Read more: https://bit.ly/3XIOLwP
Taking a Healthy Environments Approach to Waitangi Day
When it comes to manaaki at events, the Waitangi National Trust do a stellar job at ensuring the whānau whare tapa whā is well cared for. Healthy Families Far North are supporting the Trust to explore how we might better champion clear health and wellbeing initiatives, by taking a Healthy Environment Approach (HEA) to enable and promote active, healthy and flourishing communities. Healthy Families Far North met with the Waitangi National Trust to share back what we heard from vendors and whānau at Waitangi Day 2023, and look to further explore what next year might look like alongside both vendors and the Trust.
The HEA framework is intended to support the Waitangi National Trust, Far North District Council staff and community boards to increase healthy choices and options through the availability and accessibility of healthy food and drink choices, to reduce smoking and alcohol related harm, and to increase opportunities that encourage movement. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Y25i0y
Oruaiti connect with mana whenua to weave pūrākau into play spaces
Oruaiti School have been working with Ngāti Kahu to explore how they might bring story of place and pūrākau to life in their school play spaces.
Healthy Families Far North have been working alongside Oruaiti to build meaningful relationships with mana whenua and were invited to learn some of the names chosen for their new mountain bike tracks. Healthy Families Far North will continue to support Oruaiti in collaborating with iwi and whānau as they look to nurture a sense of belonging within their school.