Aroha Ngā Mokopuna
The Aroha Ngā Mokopuna Innovation was created by Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust in response to the Ministry of Health Te Ao Auahatanga Hauora Māori: Māori Innovation Fund (Te Kakano Category 2013-2017). The key priority for this funding is ‘Tikanga a Tamariki Mokopuna’ – meaning Te Ao Māori approaches to whanau health and wellbeing through improved child health outcomes.
Rauawaawa recognise that Kaumātua are taonga to whanau, hapu and iwi structures. In their traditional and formal role, they are the guardians of knowledge and traditions. As guardians of the whanau, Kaumātua are often responsible for the health and wellbeing of the whanau. (PHC, 1995).
During this four-year pilot, led by Caccia Dennison, the Aroha Ngā Mokopuna Kaumātua Team delivered a health promotion service into four schools in the Hamilton region, to identify and address the health, wellbeing and cultural needs of tamariki in years 1-13 within a kaupapa Māori framework, incorporating kaupapa Māori principles.