March Update - a new year
Greetings from the team at Whakamana Ora! We are only two months into the new year and already we have done so much, it feels more like six months.
Whanau had their “cups filled” at our Inspiring Leaders night in January - ready to start the year
Info Night 2026: We had our Info Night on January 27 at our new venue - Elim Community Hub, 198 Mahia Road, Manurewa. 45 people joined us for a shared dinner to find out about our programmes.
Caring for the Carers: We had our first Inspiring Leaders night two nights later at Len and Pris Moodley’s home - regathering our MADE to Lead whānau who will be moving into Phase Two of the programme this year, as well as graduates and community partners who were keen to join us. In all, 36 of us came together and “got our cups filled up” ready to start the new year with a full tank.
Serving Team: We have an amazing group of volunteers who have committed to helping us with the logisitics of putting on our programmes. With a small team of 3 full-timers we literally could not do this mahi without them!
NEW team member: We are so excited to welcome Lucy Nanai-Vatau to our team! Lucy is providing much-needed admin and logistical support as well as coordinating our Manaaki Collective.
Flourishing People programme: Most exciting of all we ran our very first Flourishing People programme during February! Read on for the details!
We remain so thankful to every single person who faithfully gives, serves, prays and supports our work - you are hugely valued and much appreciated!
Flourishing People - a brand new programme to get whānau ‘unstuck’
When the registrations started flooding in for Flourishing People, we realised we had under-estimated how many people would want to come!
The aim of the 5-session workshop is to help people who have experienced trauma begin to heal and get unstuck so they can move forward and begin to flourish in every area of their lives. We had thought, since it was a new programme, we’d maybe get 25 people…?
On February 3rd - our first night of Flourishing People - 66 people showed up! Pris Moodley taught the programme and did not hold back - keeping it real, sharing her story and going deep. We wondered who would be brave enough to show up for week two, but people came back and brought their friends and whānau. Even with a few out sick we had 67 people on our second night - and so it continued right to the end with well over 60 people at every session. People were hungry for the truth that was speaking to them where they are at, lifting their heaviness and shame.
The programme concluded with a “Day of Breakthrough” on Saturday 28 February.
Whānau were gathered into small groups and supported to apply what they learned, filling out their own trauma card, receiving support and karakia, then burning their card symbolically when they were ready.
It is impossible to describe Saturday’s atmosphere in words - we continue to receive feedback from people who attended the programme, and stories of how it has left them feeling lighter, no longer burdened by shame, with more compassion for themselves and others, more supported and more hopeful for the future. Family, friends and even doctors are seeing the change in them already.
Our amazing MADE to Lead whānau have stepped up, serving our community, preparing the venue, the food, sitting with people, offering support and rides.
Kasalina, Melissa, and Rob all shared their testimonies and Elyse did a fabulous job as MC.
We are so thankful for our incredible volunteers and team who go above and beyond, serving with aroha and generosity.
MADE to Lead
Community Leadership Programme 2026
MADE to Lead is starting back up for 2026 this month with a whole new intake of people into the programme.
Whānau from our community who have completed Flourishing People have been invited to continue their journey with us through MADE to Lead Phase One. This is a 6-month stand-alone module helping whānau continue their wellbeing and personal development journey with support and community connection.
Registrations are coming in thick and fast so we will continue to use the Elim Community Hub for sessions as we’ve definitely outgrown the Moodley home!
Meanwhile our returning Phase Two whānau will begin a series of practical topics to help them in their leadership journey. We anticipate that many of our graduates and Phase Two leaders will also continue to come alongside our new intake to offer support and encouragement for the journey, as peer mentors.
MADE to Lead Term Dates:
Tuesday 10 March: Phase 2 group starts back
Tuesday 17 March: Phase 1 NEW INTAKE starts
NEW Team Member: Meet Lucy
We’re delighted to welcome Lucy Nanai-Vatau to the Whakamana Ora team as our new Administrator and Manaaki Collective Coordinator. Lucy is a Manurewa local who brings a strong background in administration and facilities coordination, along with a gift for organisation and relationship-building. She is passionate about creating safe, welcoming environments where people and whānau feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.
Earlier in her journey, Lucy served with YWAM in Canada, working alongside First Nations communities and helping lead programmes for children, families, and at-risk youth. These experiences deepened her heart for serving communities with compassion and respect. Lucy’s faith is central to her life, and she is excited to bring her skills, values, and heart for people to the Whakamana Ora whānau.
NEW ‘Champion for Change’ video - hear from Te Hurihanga Rihari
Te Hurihanga Rihari is the founder and pastor of Te Kupu Ministries and serves as the spiritual leader/kaumatua for Ngati Torehina ki Mataka. Te Hurihanga believes in the work we are doing, and is a member of our Board, as kaumatua, cultural and spiritual advisor. He gave the organisation our name: "Whakamana Ora", meaning, "To live empowered". We hope his video inspires you.
Whakamana Ora has been operating for a year…
In our first year of operation, we have directly engaged, empowered and supported 257 adults.
68% (174 people) are parents, meaning the benefits of our work extend to their whānau and tamariki as they are being stabilised and supported
People who attended our MADE to Lead and Flourishing People programmes have 251 children between them.
The emerging leaders we equip and empower are actively engaging others in their communities, with 200+ people participating in groups they lead.
The impact of our work is actually far greater than what we can count. Every empowered leader is creating ripples that extend far beyond our direct reach, shaping communities and inspiring transformation across South Auckland.
Help us keep the lights on - become a donor
Your support helps keep this important work going. Regular donations provide the steady foundation that allows us to show up for our community every day. If you believe in the impact of this mahi, we’d love you to consider becoming a regular donor. Even a small monthly gift helps keep the lights on and ensures we can continue walking alongside the communities we serve.
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