We are the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Te Waipounamu.

We work on behalf of eight Te Waipounamu iwi to determine the best ways to support whānau development.

Our approach aims to create social impact by investing directly in initiatives developed by whānau or community groups. We also support a significant workforce of Whānau Ora Navigators who work directly with whānau to support them to develop their own pathway plans.

All our mahi is centred on the philosophy that whānau must be placed at the centre of service design and delivery, supporting them to realise their own solutions.

Our Funds

Ā mātou pūtea

We have funding streams available for whānau living in Te Waipounamu, Rakiura, and Wharekauri

Wave

Wave

Our Wave funding is a social innovation model that gives whānau the agency to realise their own aspirations

Ruia

Ruia

This is a contestable fund which supports rangatahi wellbeing, intergenerational leadership, succession planning and cultural development

Te Kīwai

Te Kīwai

This fund has been designed to support tamariki and rangatahi wellbeing through play, active recreation and sport

Kōanga Kai

Kōanga Kai

Kōanga Kai provides physical resources and coaching so that whānau can create gardens in their homes and communities

Tama Ora

Tama Ora

Tama Ora can help you create an event, project or programme targeted at keeping tamariki and rangatahi active

Latest articles

Karere o te wā

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Taking care of our own

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Taking care of our own

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Investing in the future

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Finding strength in our communities

This week we reflect on the loss of Matua Terry Ryan, a stalwart member of our hapori, and the lessons we can take from his life.
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Kōanga Kai – Waikawa Marae

Working around COVID-19 pandemic restrictions proved to be a challenge for Waikawa Marae in 2021, but now with “the fundamentals in place,” the benefits from the Kōanga Kai initiative can be seen through the expansion of their existing māra kai.
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“With Te Pūtahitanga, you develop long term relationships with like-minded individuals who understand Māori. They help you reach your goals. They encourage and support you to reflect, to grow, to progress.”

Janice Lee from Koha Kai

Nā te pūtea tautoko

Watch these previously funded kaupapa

When David and Ruby Thomas returned to New Zealand after 14 years working in Australia, they headed straight for their home base of Waikawa. Today, as owners of Waikawa Shuttle, they’re loving being home on their whenua and they’re working hard to make their new business a successful addition to the greater Marlborough community.

Jade Moana believes food insecurity is Aotearoa’s “gaping wound” and with people are queuing up for food parcels at an alarming rate, she is determined to do all she can to improve things for vulnerable whānau.

Since the 1990s, the team at Attitude has been visiting schools across Aotearoa, driven by a passion to inform, inspire and educate our rangatahi. Recently, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu has been proud to fund Attitude as part of our Aroā workstream, to create a sexual health workshop with a kaupapa Māori lens.