Mike Tipene appointed as new Manager at Healthy Families Far North
Healthy Families Far North are pleased to welcome Mike Tipene and his whānau to Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa, where he begins his journey as the new Manager for our team.
Mike is no stranger to the Healthy Families movement, bringing a wealth of experience from Healthy Families Waitakere where he led the team as Manager following his earlier role as Rautaki Māori.
His appointment comes at a poignant time, following the passing of our beloved Māreikura, Kath Wharton. Mike spoke of his commitment to her legacy.
"In my time here, I look to learn from her mahi and honour her the only and best way I know how to... I look to support our team, not to move on, but to progress the work that she started."
This return home was a calling – not just for Mike, but for his whānau as well.
We look forward to what this next chapter will bring for Healthy Families Far North, working alongside Mike to continue the mahi being done to champion community-led change and outcomes for our whānau here in Te Tai Tokerau.
Nau mai hoki mai ki te wā kāinga, e Mike.
Sharing knowledge to strengthen food systems in Te Tai Tokerau
This month we welcomed Lead Systems Innovator from Healthy Families South Auckland Julio Bin on a haerenga through Te Tai Tokerau to meet some of the incredible people shaping our local food systems.
We started with kōrero alongside Papa Rereata, visited neighbouring whānau farms, explored the rongoā garden and pathway at Te Ara Rongoa Hauora Hokianga and stopped in to see the newly established ōNuku Nursery in Panguru.
From mātauranga Māori to community-led innovation, this haerenga was an opportunity to share knowledge, build relationships, and learn from each other as we reimagine local food systems that truly work for our whānau and whenua.
First council-owned māra hūpara in Taitokerau opening in September
The first council owned māra hūpara in the Far North is scheduled to open this September at the Kerikeri Sports Complex.
The project is years in the making, driven and designed by local advocates and leaders, in partnership with Ngāti Rēhia and the Far North District Council.
Māra hūpara were historically used as play areas, using te taiao and natural materials like logs, rocks and plants, to develop physical strength, coordination and problem solving. Unlike conventional playgrounds, māra hūpara are guided by kōrero tuku iho, the stories of mana tangata, creating an environment for intergenerational play, movement, and storytelling.
Healthy Families Far North have been part of the project working group to bridge the relationship between non-Māori, local government and local hapū, to better understand how our community spaces can prioritise conditions for whānau wellbeing.
Look a look at how Te Amo Pūtoro is shaping up before it’s grand opening.
He Manuao: From design to delivery, taitamariki aren't waiting for change, they’re leading it
The short-form video series He Manuao is offering a powerful glimpse into what’s possible when taitamariki are supported to lead and design their own solutions.
The four-part series showcases the broader and deeper impact of a one-off, youth-led fund that helped to remove barriers many young people face when accessing sport and physical activity – making a compelling case for funders, policymakers and community leaders to consider community-led approaches to funding.
The first episode follows the journey of He Manuao, the taitamariki leadership group and the process behind the fund. The remaining episodes feature three taitamatāne from Pawarenga, Kaitāia and Te Kao, with an intimate and personal look into what gets them moving, keeping their taha tinana, taha hinegaro, taha wairua and taha whānau well.
He Manuao sparks deeper conversations about what equitable investment truly looks like, encouraging more partnerships that enable whānau and taitamariki to shape the systems that affect them.
Watch the He Manuao video series online here.
