Why we are here

To equip & empower emerging community leaders

To support,
strengthen &
connect local changemakers

To uplift & transform our whānau & communities

What we offer

At Whakamana Ora, we stand with people and communities to grow local leaders and bring practical support where it’s needed most.

We back people already out there doing the mahi – and those ready to get started – with the skills, confidence and support to make good things happen in their communities.

Our work has two main strands:

1. MADE to Lead

Our two-year community leadership pathway that supports emerging leaders to build resilience, grow, learn and lead change in their communities

2. Manaaki Collective

Our growing network of MADE to Lead graduates, grassroots community groups and volunteers. At its heart, the Collective is about collaboration – working together on projects that meet real community needs, sharing resources, and ensuring those doing the mahi are supported and not alone.

Testimonials from our community

  • “What’s really integral with this programme is people from this community, delivering for this community. You’re taking people who know their own and raising them up to be leaders within their own spheres & contexts. Leadership,change and rangatiratanga, it really starts with us – we are all leaders, particularly if we are parents because it starts with the whānau.”

    Elyse, Family Violence Educator, Cultural Advisor & Board member

  • Melissa - founder of ProLove in Action

    "Finding this group has been such a huge blessing. I had been praying for solid leaders I could learn from, be mentored by, and grow alongside—and then I found my tribe. I was hungry to grow, to soar, to share the gifts God has given me. I longed for a team to pour into, and one that would also pour into me—and that’s exactly what this group is."

    Melissa, changemaker, founder of “ProLove” and community leadership programme participant

  • “Being in this community leadership programme has been awesome, so grateful. I am the quiet type – hard to open up to people, but this programme has made me feel safe, comfort, healing in myself and has driven me to push more to help our community. I am a carver and I’m planning to use my skills with the community. So thankful to be in this programme. Where I come from we say Atāwai wōlō.” (a huge thank you in Pukapukan)

    Ali, new to our community leadership programme in 2025

  • “The community leadership programme has walked me through a journey of inner healing. I’m thankful there were leaders who cared for us, who put in their time and effort and resources. If it wasn’t for them I probably would've been stuck in my past. I’ve come to the realisation that it’s not all about me and what I can gain… I’m being mentored for a generation that are spiritually malnourished. We are being equipped to go out there and be the love and light…”

    Kasalina, Community group leader

  • “Joining the community leadership programme, I’m so thankful that they taught me so many things about who I am… they’ve done so much for me, peeling back the layers and layers, to be able to truly get into the nitty gritty of who I’m meant to be. It gave me a place to ask all the questions that I had… so thankful that I know who I am now, and I’m so much more confident…”

    Paul, young leader who joined our community leaders programme when he was 16

  • “I got so much out of the leadership programme. I learnt it’s about being a leader in your own house before you can do it in the community. Not just ‘do what I say’, but lead by example. I now know my calling, and that’s to work in the community with inmates being released from prison, that I can connect with through my past as an ex-gang member, a person of unforgiveness, drug addiction, depression, and quite a few other things. Those have become skills I can use to help those people.”

    Rob, Leader of multiple community initiatives working with whanau

  • "I am so glad to be part of the Leadership Programme. I have faced so many different challenges over the recent months and feel stretched to meet so many needs and demands. The programme is consistent and that's what I like. It keeps me encouraged and focused. I honestly do not know what I would have done without the support, I think i would have drowned in my problems."

    Alisi, community leader and changemaker

  • “The tools I have learnt have helped me discover my creative talents and true worth, which I have implemented into my work... I would love to acknowledge the beautiful team who have helped me get to where I currently am today. All the one-on-ones, awhi, support, behind-the-scenes followups and heartfelt trainings - I am truly very blessed to be a part of this.”

    Angel, Community Mental Health team leader

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