March 18, 2018
Whānau Ora Symposium 2018 brings the Waka together in Marlborough
Whānau Ora Symposium 2018 brings the Waka together in Marlborough
MEDIA RELEASE
The annual Whānau Ora Symposium, hosted by Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu is being held for the first time in Te Tau Ihu.
“The Symposium will promote initiatives, workshop and presentations, foster collaboration, incubate new ideas and allow like-minded individuals and initiatives to network, as well as provide vital feedback to whānau, hapū and iwi, Papatipu Rūnanga and other key stakeholders about the broader values associated with Whānau Ora outcomes”, says Helen Leahy, Pouārahi of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu.
“The Symposium is also an opportunity to highlight the incredible commitment of whānau, navigators, entities, coaches and hapū and iwi support across Te Waipounamu. Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is committed to the Whānau Ora approach and will continue to invest and support initiatives that are future-focused and make a sustainable impact on our communities” says Ms Leahy.
Whānau Ora recognises the collective strength and capability of whānau to achieve better outcomes in areas such as health, education, housing, employment and income levels.
The theme for the Symposium is ‘Tūtakitaki ngā waka; Tūtakitaki ngā tāngata. The people converge; the waka converge’ and is just that, a convergence of whānau from all over the South Island. Over 200 whānau members are expected to attend.
“The conference provides a platform to elevate and illuminate the transformational change that Whānau Ora is making within Te Waipounamu” says Ms Leahy.
The Symposium is preceded by a Maori Business Forum to be hosted by Te Puni Kokiri and Westpac and supported by Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu. The day will conclude with the inaugural Te Pātaka o Wairau Night Market operating from 4pm to 9pm at Seymour Square, Blenheim.
At the same time as the Māori Business Forum meets, Whānau Ora Navigators from across the South Island will be meeting in their own annual gathering.
A rangatahi stream will be held simultaneously throughout the two days to enable younger whānau members to shape their own agenda for Whānau Ora. One of the keynote presentations at the symposium also features three young speakers with a vision to be shared: Mana Williams-Eade (from Blenheim); Hinepounamu Apanui-Barr and Ngaa Raauira Pumanawawhiti.
The event is being held from 22-23 March and The Marlborough Convention Centre.
Keynote speakers include: Hon Dame Tariana Turia, Hon Peeni Henare and Dr Lana Leslie-Henflig, Dr Lorraine Eade, Kaapua Smith, Dr Peter Meihana, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Fonteyn Moses-Te Kani, and the Downes whānau.
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