PĀNUI
NEWS
Ngā Tāngata: Linzi and Shanna.
09 / 10 / 2025
At He Waka Tapu, the journey toward wellbeing is better off when walked together. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we wanted to share the story of two wāhine who represent both sides of that journey, Shanna, one of our kaimahi and group facilitators, and Linzi, a tangata whai ora who’s been part of our open groups for nearly two years.
He Waka Eke Noa - We're all this together!
The connection between kaimahi and whaiora is a special one. One person is seeking wellness, and the other is there to help guide and support that growth. But as both Linzi and Shanna remind us, that learning goes both ways.
When Linzi first came through the doors at He Waka Tapu, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I was shy, didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just stayed in my room all day,” she says. “The first mindfulness session, honestly, I almost ran away. But after a few sessions, something clicked. I realized this was a place where I could open up, where I could actually connect with people.”
That space to be seen and heard became a big turning point.
“It’s taught me balance,” Linzi says. “It’s made me realise how much my physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing are all connected. Coming here has helped me focus on being healthy, not just in my body, but in my mind too. Before, I didn’t care much about that stuff. Now I’m learning how to take care of myself in every way.”
For Shanna, who’s been working at He Waka Tapu since early 2023, that kind of transformation is what makes the mahi worthwhile.
“The best part of my job is watching people grow into who they’ve always wanted to be,” she says. “No amount of money or pay rise could replace that. I came from working at the freezing works, good money, sure, but nothing that filled my cup like this.”
“When I first started here, I had to learn everything from the ground up, primary health, addiction, all of it. It was foreign at first, but it taught me to look at my own health and my own journey. You can’t support someone else’s wellbeing if you’re not looking after your own.”
That shared accountability, to walk the talk, is what keeps her grounded.
“You can’t work here and not do the mahi on yourself too,” she says. “Every day is like holding up a mirror. You see yourself in the people you support. You see your own struggles reflected back, and it makes you want to be better.”
That’s something Linzi relates to deeply.
“Being here has made me want to work on myself too,” she says. “It’s not easy, I still slip up, like anyone. But the difference now is I know how to move forward from it. I use those moments to grow.”
Shanna nods to that same kaupapa: “We’re never just the teachers here. We’re always students too. We learn as much from the people who walk through these doors as they do from us. Every conversation, it all teaches you something about yourself.”
And there’s plenty of laughter between the two. Shanna teases Linzi about her daily greetings at the door “People see that energy and they want to come back,” she says, while Linzi jokes about wanting to join every group she sees running.
“I just want to be a part of it all,” she laughs. “Sometimes I think, I came here to get help, and now I want to sign up for everything. It’s contagious.”
Beyond the jokes and small moments, both wāhine share a strong belief in the bigger picture: that true wellbeing comes from connection, to yourself, to others, and to your community.
“Being active here isn’t just about the physical” Linzi says. “It’s about being involved, helping out, learning new things, meeting new people. It all feeds into your wellbeing.”
Shanna agrees. “It’s about finding balance, finding purpose. Whether you’re here to learn, to heal, or just to connect, we’re all part of something bigger. This mahi isn’t just about recovery or services, it’s about people.”
When asked what life means to her now, Linzi pauses.
“Life means life,” she says quietly. “It means choosing life. Choosing to live for ourselves so we can live for our future generations. That’s what this place has taught me.”
For Shanna, that’s what the kaupapa is all about. “It’s about reciprocation, supporting each other, filling each other’s cups, and remembering that we all need support sometimes. No one’s doing this alone.”
Their conversation is a reminder that we are stronger together, beyond what we have to face alone, the power of community and connection is unfathomed when it comes to the healing journey, this week and every week is an opportunity to make that connection or have that kōrero that could change your life.
