Wāhine lead whānau to health, happiness and personal prosperity
The Mana Wāhine Hauora Facebook page contains videos of wāhine sharing their personal experiences of mental and physical health are inspiring women throughout the motu.
There’s kōrero on healing body and soul through good kai, moko kauae and karanga, on body and breath work, meditation, and the joys of gardening.
Some wāhine talk of kicking drug habits and healing wounds from traumatic experiences. Some share tips on building physical fitness, running marathons and the lifesaving benefits of gastric surgery.
Others share their hard wrought experience of healthy parenting, navigating relationships and the challenge and satisfaction of running a business.
The lightbulb moment
Videographer and writer, Aroha Treacher of Treacherous Media, has spent the last year recording these stories for Waiohiki Community Charitable Trust located in Taradale.
“We’re aiming for that lightbulb moment when someone thinks, that’s a good idea. Maybe I could do that. It’s a different way of highlighting the positivity and ingenuity of our wāhine and inspiring others with their example.”
Mana Wāhine Hauora helps the whole whānau
The project developed out of a series of wānanga run by the Waiohiki Community Charitable Trust. The wānanga offered women access to the knowledge, tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and that of their families. E Tū Whānau has supported the innovative kaupapa of Waiohiki Trust for many years.
“Women are the pou of a whānau. When they are educated about health, the benefits ripple through the entire household,” says Trust Manager, Laurie O’Reilly.
“By empowering women to become guardians of their family’s wellbeing, we’re improving individual lives and fostering stronger, healthier families. Ultimately, we’re fostering a more resilient community. This holistic approach to health education will enhance the social fabric, ensuring that generations are equipped to thrive.”
One Voice Community Trust
Topics on the Mana Wāhine Hauora page reflect the different ages, backgrounds, challenges and opportunities available to each wahine. They also echo the E Tū Whānau kaupapa and values.
In this example about free Meditation and breathwork wānanga run by Flaxmere’s One Voice Community Trust, Aroha captures just one part of founder, Lynsey Abbott’s mahi.
One Voice is a grassroots community response to the many under-resourced needs of whānau in the rohe. It provides emergency support, kai and shelter when needed but it also runs wānanga designed to strengthen whānau resilience in people’s personal and community lives.
Lynsey is grateful for the opportunity the Mana Wāhine Hauora project offers to her mahi.
“Our wellness wānanga remind whānau that they are precious taonga, precious to themselves as well those who love them. We encourage them to reject the victim state of mind and embrace their beautiful selves and live their lives. ‘Love and light together we heal. One love’. That’s our saying and that’s what we always want to share,” says Lynsey.
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E Tū Whānau kaupapa supports Te Tai Tokerau wāhine to drive change
