Te Hā Kura

01/04/2026

Te Hā Kura Monthly Hui

Yesterday’s Te Hā Kura hui was a good chance to check in, share what’s happening, and line up next steps.

We spent time going through the draft Terms of Reference and making sure it actually reflects how we want to mahitahi.

Some other mahi shared:
👉Supporting healthier, more whānau-focused environments
👉Growing local responses to alcohol, va**ng and ni****ne harm
👉Creating space for rangatahi voice and leadership

Next hui: 6 May, hosted by Hikitia Tāne Ora.

17/02/2026

Our Te Hā Kura whānau came together for our first hui of 2026 🙌

I huitahi mātou ki te tari o Te Rau. We gathered at Te Rau’s tari at Ngāti Porou Oranga, where she and Ally from the National Public Health Service guided our kōrero. We reflected on our break, created vision boards for where we see this kaupapa heading, and talked through plans for the year ahead.

Our next hui on Wednesday March 4th will again be led by Te Rau and Ally at Ngāti Porou Oranga (151B Grey Street, behind the Food Cartel Café) from 10am–12pm.

Nau mai haere mai, all are welcome.

25/11/2025

Te Hā Kura is about protecting the wellbeing of our whānau and this includes our pēpi. Sudden Unexpected Death of an Infant (SUDI) is often preventable, yet continues to affect Māori whānau at higher rates due to systemic inequities.

That’s why SUDI prevention is now being woven into our expanded Te Hā Kura position statement. As we broaden our kaupapa, we recognise that ni****ne and alcohol harm begins even before birth and can impact whānau across generations. By supporting smoke-free and alcohol-free pregnancies, safe sleep practices, and wrapping around hapū māmā and whānau, we aim to reduce risk and uplift the health of our pēpi.

Tania Keepa (Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Awa) leads this mahi within Te Hā Kura, representing the SUDI space through her work as the Mokopuna Ora – SUDI Prevention Advisor at Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora. She champions safe sleep education, whānau-led support, and culturally grounded approaches to ensure every sleep is a Safe-Sleep for pēpi.

Foundations for Safe Sleep:

Ensure pēpi has their own flat, firm sleep surface such as a wahakura, pēpi pod, or bassinet. Always place pēpi on their back with a clear face, no pillows, toys, loose blankets, or cords. Keep the sleep space free from smoke, vapes, alcohol, drugs, and any harm. Fathers, partners, and whānau all play a role in keeping pēpi safe (Hāpai te Hauora – Māori Public Health, 2025).

Position Statement:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67835476ab6ad30de68bf8cf/t/6926041613589f5867b4625a/1764099094310/Te+H%C4%81+Kura+Position+Statement+2025+%281%29.pdf

04/11/2025

The community is changing.

On 1 October, new alcohol ban areas around Kaiti Memorial Park, Kaiti Hub, and the area outside Kaiti School came into effect under the amended Gisborne District Council Alcohol Control Bylaw.

These changes reflected strong community support and a shared commitment to reducing alcohol-related harm and creating safer, healthier spaces especially in areas close to schools and where whānau, tamariki and rangatahi gather.

This move built on existing bans in the City Centre, Midway, Te Araroa, Ruatoria, Tokomaru Bay, and Tolaga Bay showing that our community is changing for the better.

Together, we are shaping a future where wellbeing and connection thrive across Te Tairāwhiti.

Check out more info on this kaupapa on the attached link.

Include east of the Taruheru River and the Cenotaph. The area around Kaiti Memorial Park, Kaiti Hub, and outside Kaiti School.

22/10/2025

Nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei whārangi pukamata mō Te Hā Kura. Welcome to our new page for Te Hā Kura. This is a space dedicated to Ni****ne, Va**ng, and Alcohol Harm Reduction. Follow along as we share stories, insights and local action that support a healthier Te Tairāwhiti.

Every kaupapa needs a foundation and ours starts here with the Te Hā Kura Position Statement on Ni****ne, Va**ng and Alcohol Harm Reduction in Te Tairāwhiti.

Te Hā Kura brings together the strength of Te Tairāwhiti, uniting community groups, health providers, local government, and social services with a shared commitment to reducing harm from ni****ne and alcohol. We are working collectively to restore the sacred hā, the pure breath of life, to our people and whenua. Inspired by whakapapa and Kurawaka, the sacred red earth where Tāne-nui-a-Rangi breathed life into Hineahuone, we commit to reclaiming the mauri of our lungs and wellbeing, compromised by the addictions of ni****ne and alcohol. Our vision is a thriving Tairāwhiti where whānau live well, free from the harms of ni****ne and alcohol.

To read the full position statement follow the link: