Healthy Families Ōtautahi (HFŌ) continues to drive transformative change across Christchurch, championing community-led solutions, cultural connection and systems-level impact for health and wellbeing.

Empowering Pasifika communities

Niu Night Market

The Niu Night Market became a vibrant hub for cultural celebration and entrepreneurship, providing a safe space for Pasifika communities to connect, share traditional and modern cuisine, and support local businesses.

Backboned by HFŌ Pasifika Systems Innovator Chris John and key partners, the initiative empowered year 13 students from Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Te Aratai College to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills, while reinvesting resources directly into the community.

Funding has been secured to support the ongoing promotion and growth of the market, and a survey has been developed to gather feedback from both the community and stallholders. Discussions are also being held with the Christchurch City Council for a potential venue change should this be identified through the survey.

Pasifika Hub

Meanwhile, the long-held vision for an Ōtautahi Christchurch Pasifika Hub gained momentum, led by Tangata Moana Trust in partnership with key community organisations, local Government, sector leaders and John acting as a connector and advocate. The hub aims to be a centre of excellence for cultural, educational and wellbeing initiatives, reflecting the aspirations of Pasifika communities and creating a platform for future generations to thrive.

Pasifika Youth Thriving Through Movement

HFŌ also launched the ‘Pasifika Youth Thriving Through Movement’ project, a localised study co-led with community and research partners.

This project aims to identify and overcome obstacles that prevent Pasifika youth from being physically active, using culturally appropriate methods to promote lifelong health and wellbeing.

Workshops and talanoa sessions have created supportive environments for authentic discussions, aiming to shape policies and practices leading to lasting, positive change.

Pasifika Mātua Gardens - Return to Cultivating Traditional Kai

Led by Vaka Tautua in partnership with Christchurch City Council and HFŌ, the Pasifika Mātua Gardens, this culturally grounded initiative reconnects Pacific communities with traditional kai, promotes physical activity and strengthens food resilience, while fostering intergenerational learning with tamariki from Te Huarahi School and Te Aratai College - creating purpose, pride and healthier futures. Recognised at the Waitai Edible and Sustainable Garden Awards 2025, the project is embedding traditional knowledge and driving community-led systems change.

Read more:

• Supporting Taurite Tū
• Empowering Pacific communities

Advancing Māori equity and leadership

Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Kaupapa Māori Pathway

A transformative shift in sport and recreation funding has seen $800,000 over four years directed to Māori initiatives in Waitaha Canterbury and Te Tai Poutini West Coast, thanks to a dedicated Māori pathway within Sport New Zealand’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund. HFŌ’s leadership ensured funding decisions were grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, resulting in more opportunities for whānau Māori to engage in culturally relevant activities and strengthening holistic wellbeing.

Healthy Families Ōtautahi also played a pivotal role in the appointment of a new Rautaki Māori Lead at Sport Canterbury, HFŌ’s lead provider, marking a significant step in the organisation’s cultural journey. Created through collaborative systems change, this role focuses on building strong relationships with hapū, rūnanga, iwi and Māori organisations, and on shaping strategies that respond to the unique needs of Māori communities.

Celebrating Matariki and Puanga through Kī-o-Rahi

The Matariki and Puanga celebration at Rāwhiti Domain brought together whānau and community members for a day of movement, connection and shared kai, centred around the traditional Māori sport of Kī-o-Rahi. The event, driven by HFŌ’s collective leadership, highlighted the power of indigenous sport to foster intergenerational connection, respect for Māori knowledge and holistic health outcomes.

Te Pou o Te Whare

Te Pou o Te Whare (TPOW) has evolved from a local kaupapa Māori initiative to a national catalyst for systems change, embedding play, active recreation and sport as pathways to wellbeing, healing, and connection for care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi. Its national expansion led to the Unlocking Opportunities - How Sport and Physical Activity can Transform Lives for Children in Care report, now driving policy change and positioning physical activity as a right. 

Grounded in trauma-informed practice and Te Ao Māori principles, TPOW is influencing policy, shifting mindsets and strengthening cross-sector collaboration to position physical activity as a right and create lasting change across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Systems change and regional impact

HFŌ’s influence extends across the Regional Sports Trust (RST) Network, with our Māori Systems Innovator, Brandon Manuel, helping to embed Māori equity and leadership at every level. The collective efforts of Te Kāhui Māori, of which Brandon is a member, are shifting the focus from intent to accountability, ensuring policies, practices and resources support equitable outcomes for Māori communities nationwide.

A milestone impact report, Paving the Way for Healthier Futures, showcased the transformative work of Sport Canterbury and partner RSTs, Active Southland and Sport Waitākere, as leaders in the Healthy Families NZ movement.

The report showcases regional achievements and highlights the critical link between play, active recreation, sport and health - connecting communities, organisations and Government. It celebrates the transformative power of community-led initiatives, cross-sector collaboration and a shared commitment to tackling non-communicable diseases by addressing modifiable behaviours and driving enduring wellbeing.

Innovation in health conversations

HFŌ contributed to the development of a new resource for health and social service practitioners, weaving Pacific values and concepts into Motivational Interviewing. This culturally grounded approach strengthens collective wellbeing by sparking authentic, strengths-based conversations. In turn, empower Pacific people to discover their own motivations for change, rather than being directed, and build resilience against health loss through early, authentic engagement.

Additional highlights: Pasifika Mātua Olympics and Touch Footy for All

This year also saw John’s ongoing involvement in the Pasifika Mātua Olympics. The purpose of the initiative was to create safe, inclusive spaces for our elders to connect through movement and share healthy kai and wai, while reinforcing cultural identity and wellbeing.

Touch Footy for All, another inclusive initiative, brought diverse communities to participate in social sport, breaking down barriers and promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace. These initiatives exemplify HFŌ’s commitment to community-led wellbeing.

“This year has shown the power of community-led action. When we create spaces for people to lead, whether it’s through the Niu Pasifika Night Market or the Pacific Hub, we see real change that reflects the aspirations of our whānau and communities,” says HFŌ Manager Geni Ah Tong.

“Our journey is ongoing. By listening to our communities, fostering collaboration and championing systems change, we’re building the foundations for long-term wellbeing in Ōtautahi Christchurch and beyond.”

Article added: Monday, December 8, 2025