The essence of whakawhanaungatanga and how it’s strengthening relationships with community and council

We recognise that the connection to our environment plays a critical role in our overall health and wellbeing, so practicing whakawhanaungatanga is crucial for communities to thrive.

Whakawhanaungatanga is the practice of creating relationships through shared experiences, working towards cohesion and uniting as one. It's also about embracing the wisdom where time, presence and connection are cherished to ensure our community is prioristed – which enables greater ownership, community voice and influence.

Healthy Families Hutt Valley have a huge focus on whakawhanaungatanga – and doing it properly.

“It’s the natural way to build, sustain, and strengthen relationships for Māori. We want to ensure that we have a genuine relationship and connection with the organisations and community leaders we work alongside so that we can collectively move forward and everyone is involved in the decision-making process” says Eddie Edmonds, Healthy Families Hutt Valley Manager.

Whakawhanaungatanga sessions at Hutt City Council

The value of whakawhanungatanga in council settings creates a space for us to mobilise exisiting mātauranga that already exists in our community. 

Every month, HFHV joins Hutt City Council’s wider Neighbourhoods and Communities team in whakawhanaungatanga sessions which includes sharing personal stories, establishing common ground, acknowledging cultural protocols, engaging in meaningful conversations, and participating in collective activities.

Hutt City Council Neighbourhoods and Communities whakawhanaungatanga and pink ribbon breakfast.

George Lajpold, HFHV Practice lead has been a part of the Neighbourhoods and Communities  whakawhanungatanga sessions since its inception.

“It started off with just a couple of us wider team members leading the session every month. Fast forward one year and the participation numbers are bigger, the reo is stronger and other members from neighbouring teams are leading it out. I’m so proud to be a part of creating a safe space and empowering council staff to embrace who they are but also embracing te ao Māori in their personal and professional life” says George.

We caught up with HFHV Kaiārahi Māori, Aidan Crawford on his whakawhanungatanga experiences at council

“Connecting with others provides a sense of healing for me. 'Whakawhanaungatanga' is fundamental to Māori culture, customs and identity and contributes to the wellbeing and vitality of Māori society.

Personally, having the ability to connect with people also grounds me in understanding who I am and where I come from. It helps me recognise the shared narratives or experiences.

HFHV leading a whakawhanaungatanga session and connecting through Te Wairere Tinana Yoga

As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ however, in the context of a council, 'whakawhanaungatanga creates a connected community,' and a connected community is a healthy community. A healthy community is a thriving community.

Whakawhanaungatanga within the workplace has contributed positively in many ways but most of all, it’s given staff the confidence to speak te reo Māori and helped apply a te ao Māori lens in their mahi.

Work capacity was one of the challenges I noticed when trying to promote whakawhanaungatanga sessions in the workplace, but once people participate, they always come back to witness, feel and hear the expression of manaakitanga in spaces where it wasn't prevalent before.”