March 04, 2021
Kaumatua praise small blessings
Christchurch kaumatua have been asked to share their experiences as part of a national science challenge project looking at older Māori well being and participation.
The Aging Well, Living Well hui was held at the Whānau Ora commissioning agency Te Pūtahitanga’s Christchurch hub with Catherine Love and Charles Waldegrave from the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit.
Te Pūtahitanga Chief Executive Helen Leahy says considering the challenges kaumatua in Ōtautahi have faced in a decade that has included major earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, the kōrero was inspiring.
"Their consistent message was the power of karakia – karakia to Tangaroa for giving us kai, karakia for our mokopuna, karakia for being well, and just that real ngāwari attitude of being thankful for the smallest blessings. It was a really beautiful hui," she says.
Helen Leahy says the hui was part of a national study on how to live well in our older years.
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