This blog is for discussion topics and to capture HEART events and news as well as positive stories in the Tāmaki community. We encourage you to share your thoughts by leaving comments on the blog posts as well as sharing posts to social media.
Our ‘Reflection corner’ and ‘Looking Back’ posts are written by HEART Change Agents on topics and events that are important to them.
Since June 2021, Men’s Koru has been going strong under the guidance of HEART Change Agents Rev. Joel Carpenter and Isoa Kavakimotu. The goal was to create a space for tāne in Tāmaki to share and connect in a “No Judgement, No Advice” environment.
Read MoreThe HEART Project Fund allocation for May 2025 was awarded to Te Whakamanamai with connection to local organisation Tāmaki Community Development Trust. Read on to learn about the incredible space that Te Whakamanamai has become. We are privileged to support such a wonderful and valuable kaupapa.
Read MoreWe are keen to get involved in more community events so were excited to be invited to the Grace International Pop-Up Market on 12th July 2025, where all proceeds from stall fees were to be sent to Mailangi Bible College in Fiji.
Read MoreChange Agents Jo Flavell and Ren Joe obtained a small amount of funding to create a few sessions for local māmā who wanted to connect and kōrero about the journey that is motherhood.
Read MoreSome of our Change Agents got together on and created an info table at Te Oro Tekau - Te Oro’s tenth birthday celebration.
Read MoreWe were super excited to kickstart our HEART Project fund for 2025 with the community kapa haka rōpū based at St Mary’s Glen Innes called Puhia te Pū.
Read MoreIt’s getting back up after being knocked down. Built over time, resilience is a response to both environmental and individual factors.
Read MoreBig Bold Beautiful Women - a day to empower and build confidence in our Tāmaki wāhine, developed by an amazing HEART Change Agent, Rina Kopu.
Read MoreTrauma-Informed Care requires understanding and careful navigation when it’s time to treat whānau. It’s based on building trust and healthy relationships between whānau and professionals. If we use this approach moving forward, then can we really make meaning change for those who really need it.
Read MoreAlthough not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, if it does manifest it can in many ways.
Read MoreClassified as a Class A illegal drug in Aotearoa, using meth is a very high risk according to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
Read MoreAt one point there were well over 150 people at Winter Wonderland. There was a little bit for everyone to enjoy, and it went off without a hitch! The HEART team had an awesome time supporting our ATWC whānau.
Read MoreAddiction is defined as an inability to stop consuming a substance or activity even though the substance or activity is causing them psychological or physical harm.
Read MoreAccording to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, in 2019 New Zealand had the highest youth suicide rate in the OECD.
Read MoreBasic first aid knowledge is important because you never know when it will come in handy, and who’s life you could potentially save.
Read MoreMany of those in attendance were going through their own journey with alcohol addiction, and many shared their own stories and experiences with alcohol. It was an honour to be a small part of their walk towards healing, which is why understanding the relationship between alcohol and masculinity is important.
Read MoreWhen under control, anger can focus and guide someone through a difficult time. It’s how we deal with it when it’s out of control where it can cause harm to our loved ones, and ourselves. That’s when anger becomes a problem.
Read MoreUsing a top-down method does not meet the needs of our most vulnerable. Acknowledging the link between mental health and alcohol and drug addiction can help us find better solutions.
Read MoreOn the 9th of February, we had Marg and Samira from the SHINE Respond team walk six of our Tāmaki community members through an introduction to family violence training.
Read MoreManaging behaviours around Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is important because it helps us look at certain behavioural patterns through a different lens to better understand how and why people operate the way they do. Sometimes what has been characterized as “bad” or “negative” behaviours, are really a side-effect of living with ADHD.
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