Manawakura: Localising Healthy Active Learning in Tairāwhiti

“Manawakura has put the right people in the right place. People who know the reality of our tamariki, who know the kōrero of our whenua, know our whānau and know the kura and how the community is ticking.” – Tumuaki.

In Tairāwhiti, the approach to Healthy Active Learning is called Manawakura (the precious breath of wellbeing) and sees whānau working alongside whānau for tamariki wellbeing.

Community leaders, including the team at Whiti Ora who led the kaupapa, describe how the relationship-centred model reflects the dynamic and structure of its communities and iwi. This has led to stronger trust with kura and whānau and a responsive, ever-evolving model that resonates deeply with the community. One tumuaki said they valued Manawakura’s willingness to “ensure we have local and homegrown talent coming into our communities to support what we are doing”