Photo: The late Kahurangi Tariana Turia and the mauri stone of Rangitāmiro
Early this morning, as the sun rose over Tāmaki, we gathered in karakia to mark the beginning of a powerful new chapter for Whānau Ora — Day One of Rangitāmiro, our new Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Waikato, Hauraki and Tuwharetoa.
We carry forward the legacy of our beloved Kahurangi Dame Tariana Turia — with aroha, unity, and fierce determination. Her vision, rooted in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and tino rangatiratanga, continues to guide our mahi today. Whānau Ora is not just a policy; it’s a movement that centres whānau as the leaders and decision-makers of their own futures.
Rangitāmiro brings together the strength and vision of Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau, and the National Hauora Coalition (NHC). Together, we are focused on what matters most — the wellbeing and mana motuhake of our whānau.
Already operational, Rangitāmiro has contracted 301 kaimahi, including 120 new roles, to meet the growing needs of our region — from Tuwharetoa to the Far North. It holds the largest population of all four Commissioning Agencies and is committed to delivering services that support whānau across hauora, housing, kai security, oranga hinengaro, rongoā, financial wellbeing and more.
As a founding partner of Rangitāmiro, Te Tiratū stands proudly in our responsibility and honour to uphold Dame Tariana’s legacy. We were humbled to stand in karakia, to acknowledge our tūpuna, and to commit ourselves to this kaupapa once more — for our tamariki, our mokopuna, and all the generations to come.
“I mihi to all of the new commissioning agencies who put their hands up to continue this extraordinary mahi delivering Whānau Ora support. It’s evident that, despite it being our first day, it’s not our first experience with this kaupapa. We’ve been working with whānau for decades, and we’re resolute in taking those values, alongside the powerful legacy of Dame Tariana, forward into the future for our respective regions. Dame Tariana had always spoken of the importance of mahitahi, whanaungatanga, and manaakitanga for Whānau Ora,” Dr Mataroria Lyndon, Board member of both Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board and Rangitāmiro.
Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu — with the right support, our people will soar.