As 2024 draws to a close, Healthy Families Ōtautahi (HFŌ) reflects on a year filled with impactful initiatives, community engagement and strides towards a healthier Christchurch.

This year has been a testament to the power of collaboration and the resilience of the Ōtautahi community.

Read more:

• Healthy Families NZ: 10 years of impact
• HFŌ kaimahi appointed to RST Network Steering Group
• Pasifika Mātua Olympics celebrates health, whanaungatanga

Return to growing traditional island crops

Following a productive meeting between Vaka Tautua and HFŌ Pasifika Systems Innovator Chris John, a new initiative has emerged to support Pasifika people with disabilities in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The idea is to use gardening to promote physical activity and reconnect with traditional food cultivation.

This approach aims to enable Tagata Sa’ilimalo (Pasifika people with disabilities) to grow sustainable, healthy food sources.

The envisioned garden project is expected to foster community resilience and provide a sense of purpose for Pasifika individuals with disabilities, enhancing their overall wellbeing and strengthening community ties.

Te Pou o Te Whare

HFŌ places a strong emphasis on partnerships, which is key to the success of Te Pou o Te Whare.

Launched in 2020 by HFŌ Systems Innovator Lawrence Tau, this innovative approach is likened to building a whare to place the needs and aspirations of young people at the heart of decision-making, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

It was developed with the understanding young people thrive when they are connected to their communities and have access to physical activities.

Te Pou o Te Whare’s success is evident, given the initiative has evolved into a nationwide conversation about the challenges young people in care face.

This year, the Te Pou o Te Whare initiative has led to discussions with the Children and Young People’s Commission Mana Mokopuna about incorporating physical activity into monitoring facilities where young people are detained and care and protection units.

Healthy Streets

In mid-2023, HFŌ Lead Systems Innovator Maria Smolar completed a Healthy Streets Foundations course, where she learnt about the approach and the tools that can be utilised to support the uptake of this way of thinking.

Shortly after this, Smolar was approached by community group Sustain South Brighton to discuss some road safety issues.

This discussion quickly evolved into an opportunity to harness the Healthy Streets approach at a community level and the South Brighton Healthy Streets project was formed. 

In 2024, much of the focus for HFŌ has been on back boning this group and providing opportunities to share initiatives, collaborate and identify system barriers. Recently, the group reviewed its goals for next year and discussed ways to enhance collective efforts.

Esports

Healthy Families Ōtautahi (HFŌ) partnered with researchers from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to study high school students’ engagement in esports. This is a first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand and aims to understand the potential health benefits of providing and participating in esports, and the potential harms.

Research with school youth on esports participation was approved and the academics interviewed young people earlier this year. Researchers are planning to provide a guidance document with their insights.

Māngai Māori – Māori representation

Recognising the importance of wellbeing for Māori, HFŌ Māori Systems Innovator Brandon Manuel has been appointed to a pivotal role as a Māngai (Māori representative or Māori voice) on the Regional Sports Trust Network Steering Group. The role will enable contributions regarding policies, practices and resource flows nationally and regionally to promote equity.

The governance and oversight of this kaupapa offer a unique opportunity to influence decisions benefiting both Māori and non-Māori communities.

Collaborative efforts

Collaboration is at the heart of HFŌ’s approach. Partnerships with local organisations and Government agencies have amplified the impact of our kaupapa.

The Collective Impact for Alcohol initiative, a collaboration between HFŌ and Community and Public Health Te Mana Ora, explores ways to share knowledge, data and insights to reduce alcohol-related harm.

This year, HFŌ has discussed with Te Mana Ora collectively supporting the Christchurch City Council during the local alcohol policy consultation process. In addition, we are considering how any community insights captured from the consultation can be utilised wider and inform future mahi.

Looking ahead

As we look forward to 2025, HFŌ remains committed to creating healthy change in the places we live, learn, work and play.

The Whānau Centred Approaches project will enter phase 3, with the findings of Phase 2 delivered back to the individual sports. Additionally, to assist with a better understanding of our Māori communities, a Māori insights pack and/or insights into protective factors from a Māori lens will be developed for the Regional Sports Trust and HFŌ.

Plans for the coming year and beyond include enhancing current HFŌ initiatives to achieve key outcomes, with support and guidance from our lead organisation Sport Canterbury. The journey towards a healthier Ōtautahi Christchurch is ongoing and with the support of our community, we are confident in our ability to make a lasting impact.

Article added: Friday 13 December 2024