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. If you would like to contribute to our blog please get in touch: m.palavi@heartmovement.org.nz
If you came to the HEART Family Christmas event, we hope you had a good time celebrating with us. It was our final community event for the year. The weather was amazing, such good vibes throughout the whole day. We had over 300 members of the community attend. Such a beautiful end to the year and what better way than to spend it with our community family and friends.
Read MoreIn November, we hosted a talanoa sessions for men in collaboration with HEART alongside ‘white ribbon day’. It was important for us to choose topics that were relatable and needed but also supported the conversation around violence in our communities, in particular how it affects women and our children. From there the topics grew into; toxic masculinity, inter-generational trauma, societal expectations of men and using violence as a means for discipline and love.
On a gloomy day in Auckland, a group of passionate people who are already making a huge difference in their communities came together to build up their skills, knowledge, and confidence to prevent suicide. Our wonderful facilitators Holly, Timi, and Ruby brought with them wisdom and charisma, great love and passion for their work. As we navigated through our workbooks together, I knew that I was in the right place. My heart felt so much hurt, pain, and long-suffering for those across the veil that we have already lost to suicide, yet so much hope, love, and joy knowing that this journey is one we all walk together. As we went about our day, I was in complete awe, knowing that this Suicide Prevention training is one many others before me have already taken part of and many others after me will yet to take and experience.
Read MoreAs members of the community from all walks of life, our facilitators Erica and Rhys took us through the MH101 workbook where we got to learn and embrace more knowledge and understanding about mental health. The purpose of Mental Health 101 is to develop the confidence to recognise, relate, and respond to people experiencing mental health challenges and reduce stigma and discrimination towards people with mental health challenges. I thoroughly enjoyed this mental health training and highly recommend it to anyone who would like to know and learn more about Mental Health.
Read MoreThis event was about celebrating Halloween, bringing the neighbourhood together, meeting the children that visit Aveline Park frequently, checking in with neighbours – “what has their experience been during Covid19 and ongoing?”, and bringing excitement to the children after a year of madness. The event took place at Aveline Park, Glen Innes, Sunday 1st November. The original plan was Saturday 31st October 2020 however due to the wet weather we had to postpone the event.
Read MoreNobody deserves to be intimidated, humiliated, kept away from family, whānau, and friends, controlled, hurt, or frightened. Everyone has the right to live with dignity, free from violence, fear, and where someone else is controlling their life.
Read MoreIt's not bad to feel angry. In fact, a lot of really good things stem from anger, and angry feelings can lead to positive change. “How do you deal with Anger?“ training by Peter Thorburn brought together a group of eight mana wāhine, from ages 24 – 50.
Read MoreA community hug but in words!
From a classroom project to the streets of Aotearoa, the Tāmaki community came together to celebrate, connect and share messages of hope. Let's Chalk About Mental Health brings communities all over the world together. This annual event is aimed at spreading messages of hope, support and positivity, keeping the conversations open about mental health. A way to unite and break the stigma collectively and express in word, messages of love, comfort, and compassion to those who suffer silently.
Literally, a community hug but in words!
Read MoreWith the announcement by the government on the 11th August that Auckland will be moving into alert level 3 the following day due to community transmission of covid-19 and the governments move towards making the wearing of masks a priority in public, a group formed involving Change Agents, organisations and individuals to provide disposable masks to 2500 Tāmaki Housing Association households.
Read MoreThe sun was shining particularly bright at Eastview Reserve in Glen Innes one afternoon in March this year, and it couldn’t just be attributed to being in the height of summer. The Mana Wahine event was taking place here, coinciding with International Women’s Day - a day of celebrating women and advocating for women's rights.
Read MoreThe stars started to align in March when an idea to connect with the community was floated that involved the stars of matariki and some of our own stars aka Change Agents.
Read MoreIn light of the positive feedback HEART received from the first round of NZSL classes HEART wanted to keep this momentum flowing, so a second block of learning was arranged that started in June lasting for 4 weeks through to July. These classes were once again taught by a Merge tutor and administered and championed by HEART Change Agent Tui Hawke.
Read MoreThe Covid-19 lockdown in NZ created an opportunity for one of our new Change Agents to do something new and lead several classes online for The HEART Movement. Leah Sooipu who has a health and fitness background had proposed health and fitness classes to The HEART Movement in March 2020, however when lockdown was announced the question was asked whether these were still needed. Her answer was absolutely!
Read MoreOver lockdown The HEART Movement offered free community training workshops online through Zoom. Peter Thorburn from MESST facilitated these workshops on topics that were chosen by the HEART network from a poll we took at the end of 2019.
Read MoreOver the Covid-19 lockdown period HEART created ‘Happenings with HEART’- a weekly schedule that offered a variety of online activities and spaces. Seeing a need for a mens space HEART initiated the Men’s Koru Group. This was a weekly wellbeing space for men led by Change Agent Tyrone Tangata-Makiri.
Read MoreDuring lockdown over March - April HEART hosted a series of online sign language classes with MERGE NZ. This came about through Change Agent Lyalle who connected her friend Tui to The HEART Movement. Tui who has a love for NZSL expressed her interest in doing NZ Sign Language Classes with HEART.
Read MoreIn response to Covid-19 HEART established the Koru Pēpi Group. This group is a daily 20-minute video call during weekdays led by local parents for local parents with pēpi and tamariki aged 0-5.
Read MoreThe Lockdown Stories is a Facebook group set up by HEART Change Agent and community worker Delina McGregor.
Read MoreIn late 2019 local Tāmaki resident, HEART Change Agent and new dad Tyrone Tangata-Makiri had an idea to explore fatherhood with other local dads. “I’ve been fortunate enough to recently become a father, so I started this project to learn more about fatherhood and talk about my experience.”
Read MoreChange Agent Lyalle spreads the love with kai.
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