Honouring our Kuini: A historic first regatta of celebration and connection

Our Whānau Voice team was proud to embody manaakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga at the historic first Tūrangawaewae Regatta hosted by Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā wai hono i te pō held on Saturday. This significant event in Ngāruawāhia on Te Awa o Waikato allowed us to connect with whānau, engage with an amazing rōpū of Māori providers, and raise awareness about Te Tiratū.

A Day of Connection and Insights

The regatta was buzzing with energy, and we were right in the heart of it sharing space alongside other hauora providers. With their seasoned experience at all sorts of community events across the motu, their mastery shone in with how they genuinely engage with whānau that we appreciated firsthand.

QR Codes: A Simple Way for Whānau to Have Their Say!

Between talking with whānau, handing out flyers, and having quick, meaningful kōrero, we juggled it all while writing up some in-depth surveys. Our bright new banner made it easy for whānau to find us, and they loved the custom QR code on our flyers—that instantly connects in one quick scan to our survey online which can be completed at a time that suits whānau.

Listening and Learning from Whānau

Whānau opened up about the struggles they face daily—long waits for urgent and planned healthcare, a serious lack of mental health support for tamariki, and paediatric services so stretched that appointments take months to secure. Rural communities feel the gap even more, with limited healthcare options adding to the challenge.

Finding safe, affordable housing remains an uphill battle, and for many, the dream of financial stability feels just out of reach. Job opportunities are scarce, and saving pūtea to secure a better future is often met with barriers beyond their control.

Many whānau shared that they simply don’t know where to turn for support, reinforcing the need for clearer, more accessible information about services that could help lighten the load.

Amidst these challenges, there is strong hope. The call for iwi-led, integrated health services is growing, with whānau seeing these as a pathway to better, more culturally grounded care. Key members of our hapori offered valuable insights, paving the way for solutions that are shaped by whānau, for whānau.

Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the whānau that took the time to come inside our stall in the ‘hauora area’ to share their experiences, and kōrero about how we can work together for a better future. We look forward to continuing these conversations and driving meaningful change for our whānau and communities.

Ka mau te wehi! A great day, great learnings, and listening’s for Te Tiratua Iwi Māori Partnership Board.