Introducing Te Kahu Oranga Whānau – often referred to as The Collab
'The Collab' brings together Māori and Iwi led social services and whānau development organisations - Tuhiata Mahi Ora Trust, Te Rarawa Anga Mua, Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri and Waitomo Papakāinga. These organisations collectively and in their own capacity provide tautoko, aroha and awhi to whānau throughout Te Hiku o Te Ika (Far North) through to Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).
Meet the CEOs of agencies that form Te Kahu Oranga Whānau
Dee Ann Wolferstan
CEO, Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri
Katie Murray
CEO, Waitomo Papakāinga
Marihi Langford
CEO, Tuhiata
George Riley
Acting CEO, Te Rarawa
Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust provides professional services, Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Services, Non Violence programmes, Traditional Māori Parenting, Safety programmes, Sexual Crisis interventions with Victims in the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and in recent years that has extended to Kaitaia – Te Hiku o te Ika.
Te Rarawa Anga Mua Charitable Trust (TRAM) was established through the Te Rarawa Treaty settlement legislation. TRAM is a Social Development Trust to support the inter-generational development of Te Rarawa whānau, hapū and iwi. TRAM is focused on advancing social, environmental, cultural and economic well-being.
Tuhiata Mahi Ora works with rangatahi and their whānau in the Far North whose lives have been impacted in a way that is having an effect on their ability to reach their full potential. Our staff team have an in-depth knowledge of the needs of our rangatahi, whānau and the community.
Waitomo Papakāinga is a whānau focussed social services agency that has been operating in Kaitāia for 30 years. Waitomo Papakāinga use a Te Ao Māori approach to design, develop and deliver services to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of whānau and their hapori.
How we work together
Each ‘The Collab’ partner brings a respective history, legacy and reputation that highlights and collectively strengthens the:
- extensive mātauranga and the practise of service with, and for, whānau;
- strong and active relationships with whānau, hapū, iwi and communities;
- use of Māori models of practise and service that meets the needs of whānau;
- provision of insights and advice to government agencies regarding policy, investment and programmes
- extend of the reach of whānau connections and engagements from Muriwhenua (Far North) to Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
- whakapapa and whanaungatanga of our kaimahi with the whānau and communities that we serve
- value of the collaboration with each partner specialising in fields of service to our people.
Strategically ‘The Collab’ partner to amplify our aspirations, we were the founding group that developed Safe to Talk (a national helpline for sexual violence), and we created the first non-medical natural Maori drug and alcohol facility which has 87% success rate.
Our Current Strategic Partnership Agreement with Oranga Tamariki, will see transformation for the wellbeing for tamariki and their whanau to return to the safe care of their whānau, hapū and iwi.
Operationally we have more than 150 qualified, trained, experienced and dedicated professionals serving the needs and aspirations of our whānau and communities. We are united and operate through our tikanga of kotahitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, manaakitanga, whakamana, tino rangatiratanga.
