Our vision is one where communities thrive. Where tamariki, whānau and communities live, learn, work and play in environments that support and enable their health and wellbeing.
Our work focuses on eliminating the barriers and addressing or shifting environments and social systems that are holding complex problems in place, ultimately influencing our community’s health and wellbeing for the better. However, we recognise and acknowledge that meaningful change cannot be done by us alone.
Healthy Families NZ location teams drive ‘collaboration for collective impact’ in many ways. Our teams are embedded in their community and work alongside cross-agency partners, mana whenua, leaders and local groups and champions to support collective and comprehensive chronic disease efforts. This community-informed and locally-led approach is underpinned by our guiding principles.
There are many examples demonstrating how our location teams are effectively working with partners to strengthen the prevention system. Whether it be through building new and stronger connections between organisations, convening thought leaders, or discussing challenges and opportunities with community champions. Below are a couple of recent examples of partnering and connection for better whānau wellbeing outcomes.
Healthy Families Whanganui, Rangitīkei Ruapehu Hapū Māmā Village brings together whānau, practitioners and sector leaders to listen and respond to the experiences of hapū māmā and their journey with maternity healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. The insights and recommendations report documents the voice of the Hapū Māmā Villagers with the aim to inspire change so improved service, meaningful engagement and better health outcomes occur for all whānau in the Whanganui rohe.
Healthy Families Waitākere have been backboning the Glenavon Community Hub Kai Village in West Auckland, since 2021. The kai village approach at the community hub is increasing kai resilience and creating pathways for whānau to access affordable, nourishing kai. Bringing together various partners, agencies and businesses the kai village has achieved remarkable milestones. Including a partnership with Sanitarium which has provided the opportunity for a breakfast club at Glenavon School and a collaboration with Fair Food has meant the hub distributes kai parcels backed by Vision West by utilising surplus kai to cook frozen meals for local whānau.
Real transformation will be achieved through collective effort, shared learning and thoughtful partnerships. Long-term commitment is required by multiple partners and agencies from different sectors, at multiple levels to generate greater collective impact on the health of all New Zealanders.
We thank each of our partners, communities and all of the people who contribute to our movement. By sharing knowledge, lived experience, passion and dedication towards this important mahi.
Healthy Families NZ will continue to build on its connections and will seek to ensure that every partnership, engagement and collaboration is outcome focused. Without new and existing collective efforts providing critical capability, capacity and resources, we could not achieve the aspiration of ‘better health and wellbeing where we live, learn, work and play’.