Collaboration was key to the success of the official launch of Whakamanahia te Waiū on Friday 2nd August 2019. Māmā, Pēpi, hapu Māmā and whānau felt elated, informed, empowered and very well resourced with treats and baby products with one Māmā emailing “an amazing day today. Us māmā’s felt really special.”
Whakamanahia te Waiū, the first service for the Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Provider Alliance (in partnership with Plunket), has been successfully delivering specialist breastfeeding support to Māmā and Pēpi in the Mataatua rohe since the 1st July 2019.
Co-inciding with World Breastfeeding Week and the global annual event the ‘Big Latch On’, Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa provided a safe and comfortable space for Māmā to gather with their Pēpi to breastfeed and celebrate the official launch of Whakamanahia te Waiū.
The collaboration between Whakamanahia te Waiū and Ūkaipo Inc. (made up of BoPDHB, Toi te Ora, Tūhoe Hauora, Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea, Tūwharetoa, Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance and REAP) ensured wide spread event promotion and sponsorship, while the Iwi Provider Alliance partners supported their Māmā from Ōpotiki, Tūhoe and Kawerau to attend.
In addition to the launch, those who attended enjoyed prizes, information stands, healthy kai and treated to the legendary Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa kapahaka. Ngāti Awa Kaumatua, Koro Julian Tunui, highlighted his joy in celebrating the event stating “It’s all about our Mokopuna”.
Nāu te rourou, Nakū te rourou, ka ora ai te Iwi
With your contribution and my contribution, our people will flourish
Manuhiri prepare for Mihi Whakatau (Koro Julian Tunui, Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea Manager Ian Linton, Toi te Ora Dillon Te Kani, BoPDHB Stan Ratahi, Te Puna Ora o Mataatua Raymond White)
Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa
Whakawhanaungatanga – Māmā, pēpi, manuhiri and staff enjoy kai
Sponsorship Prizes Galore – Sponsorship prizes display behind Māmā
Booster Seat Sport Prize Winners
Service Partners – Plunket
Hapu Māmā, Ariana Manual, proudly displays her gift
Kuia Terehia Herewini Tira and Kaumātua Julian Tunui enjoying kai
Artistic skills of Face Painter Erana Burrows
Information Stands
