E Tū Whānau stories

These stories of change and growth give voice to whānau throughout Aotearoa and show what E Tū Whānau means in action. They offer inspiration and examples of whānau doing it for themselves with the support of the kaupapa.

Te mana kaha o te whānau - The strength and power of the whānau.

  • Group of diverse children and adults standing together outdoors holding colorful artwork and banners, celebrating community art and cultural connection.

    Celebrations to mark Matariki and the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan occurred at roughly the same time...

  • Group of young people standing together indoors, wearing white and black shirts, appearing to be at a community or youth event in Taupo.

    When E Tū Whānau’s Norm Hewitt and a Taupo-based group called Manurere visited Taupo-Nui-a-Tia college recently, their welcome was passionate...

  • Community gathering with whānau seated together in a meeting space with traditional Māori wall designs, sharing conversation and connection.

    This is the first in a series about Ōrongomai Marae in Upper Hutt.  It is a vibrant, modern urban marae...

  • Two women smiling at camera in front of colorful educational posters and marae signage.

    Kylie says it was her children who gave her the courage to walk away from an abusive husband after 23...

  • An older man with white hair standing in a garden with tall bean plants, smiling at the camera with green hills in the background.

    Whaea Raiha Hunter Ellis likes to get her hands dirty. If she’s not using them to coax fruit and vegetables...

  • Man smiling at camera in office setting with red artwork and woven wall hangings in background

    Orongomai Marae’s three-man social services team of counsellors and social workers are as street smart as they are skilled. Their...

  • Three men wearing lanyards and badges posing together indoors with vertical blinds in the background.

    George Kupa, Peter Marshall and Joe Hamiora know how tough it can be for inmates returning to society after even...

  • Smiling man wearing white t-shirt with "Akina ta Rao" text, photographed indoors with computers visible in background.

    Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei Pursue that which is precious, and do not...

  • Family of six sitting together on grass, smiling at camera, against wooden fence backdrop.

    Over 600 whānau  took a public stand against violence in October 2016 by signing the E Tū Whānau Charter of...

  • Three men standing together at an outdoor event, one wearing purple clerical vestments and sunglasses, one in a grey jacket, and one in purple and white patterned clothing.

    Whānau from throughout Hawkes Bay came together in October 2016 to walk, talk and honour local Kahukura and social change...

  • Group of people indoors holding a bright green card or sign, smiling at the camera in a warm community setting.

    An Anglican Retreat at Long Bay, north of Auckland seems an unlikely place for a recent weekend bikers’ hui, unless...

  • Barefoot children and adults gathered indoors during a community event or meeting.

    Communities throughout Aotearoa are coming together at wānanga to look honestly at issues facing their whānau and to work together...