Identity and Connection

Our Stories: Issue 52 

Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki is a tangata whenua development and liberation organisation. Charlotte Postlethwaite, Community Development Worker/Kaihikohiko, said the organisation has worked alongside whānau, hapu, iwi and other community groups to help restore whanau ora across Taranaki for over 30years. 

“The challenges we often face stem from a multitude of issues relating to current and historical trauma. Accessing community funding is essential to support the work we see as necessary for the growth, education and development of our collective communities.”

“The programmes we provide are dependent on funding. Over the years, we have seen community funding become more accessible and aligned with the work that we do, which helps us greatly.”

A grant of $40k from TSB Community Trust allowed Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki to develop and deliver indigenous focussed events, and programmes that help inspire and educate people in Taranaki in the last two years.

The programmes and events include Tū Māori ki Taranaki and The Tamariki Toa Academy. Tū Māori ki Taranaki is an annual event celebrating Maori art and artists. The Tamariki Toa Academy is an after school sports programme giving young people aged 10-14 years a different sporting experience every week. Sports include archery, rock climbing, boxing, surfing and Waka Ama. 

“At the Tamariki Toa Academy, there was a clear increase in confidence and pride within the group each week. Kaimahi, parents and caregivers reported that theprogramme participants were choosing now to actively engage more in newactivities at school.

“In the previous two years we have impacted over 1000 people with the reach of these programmes. We want to engage tamariki through to kaumatua, school through to retirement folk and their whānau," Charlotte said.