Connecting across our Healthy Families movement in Tamaki Makaurau

In late October, Healthy Families East Cape travelled to The Cause Collective in South Auckland to meet, greet and hui with our whanaunga in the Healthy Families South Auckland team. 
 
The connection aimed to build further whanaungatanga between our two teams on our collective journey to improving health and wellbeing throughout our regions. The haerenga marked a tremendous step forward in collaboration and sharing of expertise and mātauranga, with both teams provided the opportunity to share deeply of the wellbeing initiatives we are involved in and our focus on shifting systems and conditions that hold complex social and health issues in place. 
 
The Healthy Families East Cape enjoyed the opportunity provided to work together and to bear witness to the impact that Healthy Families South Auckland initiatives and kaimahi have throughout their rohe, across multiple areas and systems. The team were also thrilled to connect with Healthy Families Waitākere kaimahi, Cathie Powell and Metiria Light who were also present and able to share their whakaaro, mahi and insights alongside the teams. 
 
For Healthy Families East Cape Practice Lead, George Kingi, the haerenga was a valuable opportunity to explore the approaches of Healthy Families teams’ systems approach to the prevention of chronic illnesses, but also, share the challenges and successes experienced along the way. 
 
“The haerenga was a valuable experience to honour and learn from the strengths of both teams in preventing chronic illness. Driven by the shared goal of healthier communities, each team is intent on leveraging key learnings and innovative practices from one another to address chronic illness more effectively. It was inspiring to see their dedication, resilience, and commitment to shaping a healthier future together.” 
 
Healthy Families East Cape Kaupapa Innovator, Hineani Campbell-Collier also appreciated the space that the time together provided for each team to explore the details of certain projects, and how the team in South Auckland works with communities and Kaupapa partners. 
 
“I think the Oranga Whakapapa kaupapa that Healthy Families South Auckland runs is fantastic because it provides a framework for our Pacific whānau to engage with the Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake movements. This approach enables systems change by fostering strong connections between Māori and Pacific communities”. 
 
“Our team left the time spent with our whānau at Healthy Families South Auckland feeling refreshed, and with a deepened sense of connection with our team in Tamaki Makaurau. We are excited to continue to grow this connection and connections with our teams throughout the country over the next 18 months. 
 
Both Healthy Families East Cape and Healthy Families South Auckland, alongside the other sites that are a part of our national Healthy Families movement, have a longstanding commitment to addressing the underlying conditions that impact our health and wellbeing, in order to reduce the risk of preventable chronic disease.

All sites have our own unique systems and environments that impact the health and wellbeing of the people who live, learn, work or play there, and a special part of the time together was being able to capture the importance of indigenous values and principles that are present in all of the Kaupapa and direction forward. 
 
 
Healthy Families East Cape are excited to align our efforts with other sites in our Healthy Families NZ movement, in order to achieve greater outcomes for the hapori we serve across Aotearoa New Zealand. ​