Rātā Foundation

23/06/2026

A kaupapa grounded in the parenting traditions of tūpuna Māori is supporting kaimahi to strengthen their practice and better support whānau.

The Tūpuna Parenting Ngākau Aroha for Kaimahi programme shares mātauranga Māori through whakataukī, pūrākau, oral histories and practical tools that kaimahi can weave into their everyday mahi with whānau.

Rātā Foundation has supported Tūpuna Parenting since 2022 through our Health Pou, helping Canterbury, Nelson and Marlborough-based kaimahi take part in the programme. This support has now extended to an eight-week whānau wānanga, bringing the kaupapa directly to whānau.

This mahi is all about creating long-term positive change – supporting parents to be well, tamariki to thrive, and whānau to grow in confidence, connection and wellbeing.

Ngā mihi to Tūpuna Parenting for leading this kaupapa and for sharing your story. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4exYqAL

17/06/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week – Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – a time to celebrate the people who generously share their time, skills and care to support others in their communities.

We’re proud to partner with organisations backed by more than 119,000 volunteers across our region. Their contribution helps strengthen connection, belonging and wellbeing every day. It’s also a chance to acknowledge members of our own Rātā Foundation whānau, like Matala pictured here, who give their time to volunteer in the community.

To all volunteers – and to our friends at Volunteering New Zealand, Volunteering Canterbury, Volunteer Marlborough, Volunteer Nelson – kia ora rawa atu, thank you.

15/06/2026

We’re proud to support the Moriori Standing Tall - Tommy Solomon Statue Project to restore the Tommy Solomon memorial statue on Rēkohu / Wharekauri the Chatham Islands.

Led by the Moriori community, this kaupapa will help to restore visibility to Moriori identity and strengthen connection to whenua and whakapapa. This project is supported through Rātā Foundation Connect funding, fostering a sense of belonging, diversity, and cultural connection.

The Tommy Solomon Statue Restoration Komiti is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $60,000.00 from the Rātā Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the restoration and preservation of the Tommy Solomon Statue Project.

The funding will support the next stages towards restoring and preserving a lasting tribute to Tommy Solomon on Rēkohu.

11/06/2026

It was a privilege for some of our team to attend a special day at Te Puea Memorial Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau for the inaugural Hui-a-tau of the Pēpi Penapena Ngākau Aroha Tūpuna Parenting Programme.

Tūpuna Parenting is a movement that strengthens parenting practice from a culturally grounded perspective that values matauranga Māori. Over 200 kaimahi from 70 organisations across the motu have completed the programme, helping more kaimahi and whānau experience the learning, connection and aroha at the heart of Tūpuna Parenting.

Rātā Foundation is proud to support this kaupapa through our Sustain funding programme, providing capacity building support to increase effectiveness of community organisations. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3RPFbuX

06/06/2026

Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🌺

O se vaaiga lena i le maea ai o le polokalame "Faafailele faatasi" na faatautaia e le Sosaiete Aoga Amata Samoa I Aotearoa iinei Kalaisitete. Na auai ai nisi o sui o le Rata Foundation e molimauina le taualugaina o lenei polokalame. O lenei polokalame, na vaevaeina I ni talanoaga I le va o matua ma faiaoga, e soalaupuleina ai manatu ma lagona, I le aiatatau o fanau ua uma ona faatulafonoina, ma le vaaiga mai I le itu tau aganuu/faasamoa.

In celebration of Samoan Language Week, our team joined the finale celebration of the "Faafailele faatasi- Nurturing together" project by the Sosaiete Aoga Amata Samoa I Aotearoa. Faafailele Faatasi was a series of talanoa workshops between matua/parents and faiaoga/teachers exploring children's rights from both Western and cultural perspectives.

The "Faafailele Faatasi" project was supported through the Rātā Foundation Education funding area, reducing barriers to accessing culturally responsive or whanau centred early childhood education based on need. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4x7DYiN

27/05/2026

Community connection in action 🌟

For more than 25 years, Rātā Foundation has partnered with Delta Community Support Trust as they create connection, belonging and opportunity in Ōtautahi. Their new Flourish Café is a great example of this in action - a welcoming community space that also builds confidence, life skills and employment pathways for people with intellectual disabilities. Ngā mihi Delta team and the Delta community for inviting us in to share your story. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3Q2hw9V

26/05/2026

🎉Celebrating 30 years!

Some of the team recently joined Drug-ARM Christchurch to celebrate their 30-year milestone of bringing drug awareness and relief to those directly and indirectly affected by substance abuse in our community. Ngā mihi nui to the team for everything you do and the impact your mahi has in the community 🌟

Rātā Foundation is proud to have walked alongside you for over 25 years through our Support funding programme, ensuring people in need get the right support when they need it - read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4tcWDH4

26/05/2026

If you're in Te Tauihu and want to find out more about funding for your organisation, come along to one of the drop-in sessions organised by Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere in conjunction with Rātā Foundation, Department of Internal Affairs and Top of the South Community Foundation on 9-10 June - see details below 👇

NEED FUNDING?
Find out about funding from Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere. TDC has organised funding drop-in sessions in conjunction with Rātā Foundation, DIA and Top of the South foundation.
The dates are coming up fast:
👉9 June, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Golden Bay Anglican Parish, Takaka, 42 Commercial Street
👉9 June, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Motueka Recreation Centre, Old Wharf Road, Motueka
👉10 June, 3:30 – 5:30 PM – Tasman District Council, 189 Queen Street, Richmond

Visit their events pages:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2785653865115477/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2203063087115427/
https://www.facebook.com/events/834430989720993/



Find out more about volunteering or listing your volunteer opportunities if you are an organisation at www.volunteernelson.org.nz

19/05/2026

It was great to be able to attend the recent opening of the YouthHub CHCH Events Centre – such an amazing milestone that will have a significant positive impact on the lives of so many in our community 🌟

The Rātā Foundation team are also looking forward to this Saturday’s Open Fun Day and evening event, Youth Hub Live, to celebrate Youth Week 2026! This will be a great opportunity to experience the amazing new space in use and see some incredible young talent from across Ōtautahi.

The Events Centre project was supported through our Building Project funding programme, enabling equitable access to facilities and services and supporting positive youth development for rangatahi. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4tHjmL1

18/05/2026

🌟Community collaboration in action🌟

Some of our team and Board recently attended the opening of Te Ao Mārama – a new whare for whānau and residents at the Barnardos Aotearoa Christchurch care residence. Te Ao Mārama was built to bring whānau into the heart of the healing process within the residence for rangatahi with at-risk behaviour. The whare is an amazing example of community collaboration to create a special space supporting rangatahi to feel safe, reconnect with their whānau, and take steps towards healing.

This project was supported through Rātā Foundation Building Project funding, enabling equitable access to facilities and services. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4nxvFbp