July Newsletter Update
Greetings from the team at Whakamana Ora! As we reach the halfway point of 2026, we are excited to see so many leaders continuing to step forward. Here are some of the highlights from the past few months…
Halfway through the year…
NEW Pilot training programme: Starting this month, we are beginning to train a core group of new facilitators to deliver Flourishing People in their own communities!
“Stories of Hope” Speech Showcase: A powerful night where our MADE to Lead Phase Two group put their learnings into practise.
Manaaki Collective - NEW men’s group: Tu has started a new manaaki group for men, to provide more opportunity for tane to connect and support one another.
We remain hugely grateful to every single person who faithfully gives, serves, prays and supports our work - you are hugely valued and very much appreciated!
Ngā mihi nui - Len, Pris and the Team xx
U P C O M I N G
TUESDAY JULY 21: MADE to Lead Phase One: Term 3 begins
TUESDAY JULY 28: MADE to Lead Phase Two: Facilitator Training begins
SATURDAY AUGUST 22: Flourishing Relationships 2 - “Communication”
Our 14 amazing trainee facilitators
N E W P I L O T T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M M E
Core group begins training to facilitate “Flourishing People”
One of the exciting new initiatives beginning at the end of July is our brand new Flourishing People Facilitator Training Pilot. Flourishing People is our trauma-informed emotional wellbeing programme, designed to help people who have experienced adversity understand the impact of trauma, find freedom from shame, and take practical steps towards healing and hope.
Since launching the programme earlier this year, we've been encouraged by the response. We now have a growing waiting list, and many participants have been asking when they can bring their friends and whānau.
As a small team, we know we can't meet that growing demand on our own. That's why we're launching this new pilot, equipping fourteen MADE to Lead graduates to become our first facilitator cohort (pictured above). Having experienced the impact of the programme themselves, they understand the journey it takes people on and are well placed to walk alongside others.
What makes this especially exciting is the diversity, depth and life experience of the group. Our core training group are passionate about serving the communities they know and love, including rangatahi, parents, whānau, women, men, Pasifika communities, iwi and hapū, and those supporting people affected by addiction.
We can't wait to begin this journey together and see Flourishing People reach even more people through the incredible leaders who are stepping forward to share it.
M A D E T O L E A D P H A S E T W O
“Stories of Hope” speech showcase
On 2 June, we gathered with whānau, friends, supporters, and members of our Manurewa Local Board to celebrate a special milestone as our MADE to Lead Phase Two participants shared their Stories of Hope.
After four weeks of public speaking training with Pritesh Chandra from Better Version of You, thirteen Phase Two leaders stepped onto the stage to share deeply personal stories of hardship, healing, faith, perseverance, and transformation. Many admitted they had been nervous leading up to the event, but each found the courage to share their journey with honesty and authenticity.
One of the most rewarding parts of MADE to Lead is watching participants grow in confidence and begin to see the value of their own story.
For us, this evening wasn't really about public speaking. It was about creating a space where people could reflect on their journey and recognise that their experiences may encourage others.
A big thank you to our friends from Sistahood for serving our guests so generously, to Pritesh Chandra for sharing his expertise and encouraging our participants throughout the process, to our Manurewa Local Board members for joining us to celebrate the evening, and to Faith from Aferetipoi Photography and Joel Walsham for capturing the event so beautifully.
Feedback after the night
“Good morning beautiful people! Very proud of us all. So many empowering stories. Beautiful night shared with wonderful whānau. Appreciate every one of u!!!”
“Mōrena!!!! Wow, what an amazing night last night! To hear everyone speak, whuuuu, He hōnore, he kõroria ki te Atua! Honour and Glory to God! I thank God for this community that I get to be a part of. Arohanui ki a koutou katoa!”
From Pritesh to our group chat:
“WOW Just WOW... Everyone was just absolutely amazing and you all rocked it. Team, you should all super proud of yourselves. What you did wasn't easy, it wasn't level One stuff. We could see you all learnt and then most importantly applied what you learnt in your speeches. Just epic... Super well done team 👏 couldn't be more happier.”
Serving team goes bowling!
Celebrating our serving team
During the school holidays, we took our MADE to Lead serving team out for a fun evening of bowling at Botany Downs as a small way of saying thank you for everything they do. We were also delighted to have Angel and Julia (who work with Len at TANT and often pitch in to help) join us for the evening.
Not everyone could make it, but those who did enjoyed a night of friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and some entertaining van rides courtesy of Tu!
As a team of just three full-time and two part-time staff, we simply couldn't do what we do without our incredible volunteers. Every MADE to Lead session, they arrive early to transform an empty building into a warm, inviting space where our participants feel welcomed and valued.
A night of bowling hardly seems enough to express how grateful we are for the countless hours, faithful service, and generous hearts of this amazing team, but we hope they know just how much they are appreciated.
A huge thank you to Elyse, Rox and Tu, Melissa, Rob, Hikurangi and Aidan (plus Kasalina earlier in the year). MADE to Lead is possible because of you all!
M A N A A K I G R O U P:
A place “for the guys”
One of our MADE to Lead graduates, Tu, has recently started a new men's group in Manurewa after seeing the need for a space where men can connect and be real. While women seem to find it easier to connect and support one another, men need those connections just as much, but don't always reach out.
Tu wants to create a place where men can find encouragement, friendship, and be there for each other through life's ups and downs.
The group meets every second Friday evening, sharing kai, conversation, and support. Len has also joined the group to help encourage the men as it develops.
A huge thank you to our supporters!
Thank you to every donor & grant funder who is supporting us (including those who want to stay anonymous). You are helping make this work possible. Ngā manaakitanga me ngā mihi nui!
