Tatai Ora: Healing doesn't have to happen alone

Tātai Ora is prioritising experiential learning over traditional education models by creating safe, spaces and wānanga where whānau can reconnect with themselves, their relationships and their whakapapa.

Growth from within the struggle

During the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, Tātai Ora heard a consistent message from many tāne and couples. Their greatest struggle was not necessarily the pandemic itself, their health or even financial pressure. It was what was happening within their intimate relationships and the distress they were experiencing with their partner or spouse.

The pressure, isolation and uncertainty of that period exposed unresolved hurt, trauma, communication difficulties and unconscious patterns of behaviour. For some whānau, these struggles contributed to emotional distress, depression, relationship breakdown and family violence.

From these experiences, Te Aka Matua emerged as a co-created kaupapa Māori approach that Tātai Ora now delivers to support wāhine, tāne and couples to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships and respond differently during times of distress.

Whānau want more than a programme or one-off event

Tātai Ora's Whānau Resilience programme has highlighted a clear message from participants: "whānau are not just looking for a programme or a one-off wānanga. They are looking for kaupapa Māori spaces where they feel safe, supported, and able to reconnect with themselves, their whānau, their whakapapa, and their own healing journey."

Through a series of wānanga, space is created for wāhine and tāne to first focus separately on their own inner work, exploring the life experiences, emotions and patterns that shape how they respond within relationships. Through honest kōrero, deep reflection, whanaungatanga and personal growth, they can then come together through the couples wānanga to deepen understanding, strengthen connection and work on their relationship together. Many whānau described healing from multiple complexities alongside family violence, including depression, relationship challenges, trauma or isolation.

A key part of Tātai Ora's approach is creating environments where learning happens through experience, connection and shared understanding rather than traditional service delivery. Participants choose to attend because they are ready to invest in their own wellbeing, relationships and personal growth.

Working alongside marae, community organisations and cultural practitioners, Tātai Ora brings together healing approaches such as rongoā Māori, mirimiri, taonga pūoro, breathwork and systemic constellations to support whānau on their journey.

I am on my healing journey

Many participants described attending the wānanga as part of their own pathway of healing, growth, and reconnection. Some shared:

“I’m trying to be a better version of myself for myself and my whānau”

“I’m here to create a stronger connection to my co parent.”

“From a personal lens it was an opportunity to continue my healing out of significant depression and suicidal experiences in recent years. From a relationship perspective it was about some healing towards forgiveness and reestablishing a loving relationship, regardless of what form our relationship takes into the future”

Participant feedback showed that the wānanga offered much more than information or activities. For many, they created a rare opportunity to step outside daily pressures, connect with others, be vulnerable, and learn practical tools to strengthen wellbeing and relationships. Reporting notes that while demand for these kaupapa remains strong, some whānau attendance is being impacted by cost-of-living pressures, work commitments, transport issues and whānau responsibilities. This shows that whānau need practical support alongside healing.

Together, the feedback and outcomes show that kaupapa Māori, relationship-based wānanga are making a meaningful difference for whānau on their healing journeys.

One participant shared: "The wānanga reminded me that my healing journey doesn't have to be alone, and in fact it will probably accelerate if I do more in a group setting."

Read more about Tatai Ora here: About Us - Tātai Ora