"A month to reset, swap out waipiro for wai māori"

Wai July isn’t just about giving something up. It’s about what you stand to gain: clarity, connection, discipline, and the opportunity to reflect on how alcohol shows up in your life, and whether it still deserves a place there.

At He Waka Tapu, we tautoko this kaupapa fully. Our mahi in the AOD (alcohol and other drugs) space has shown us the long-term impact alcohol harm can have on individuals, whānau and communities.

We’ve also seen the strength in choosing a new path, one that prioritises hauora, support, and mana-enhancing choices.

As Jessikha Makoare, General Manager at Hāpai Te Hauora, puts it:

“This isn’t just about going alcohol free. It’s about creating a supportive space for tāne to choose themselves, back their mates, and reflect on the role alcohol plays in their lives.”

He Kaupapa mō te Hauora

Māori men are still overrepresented in alcohol-related harm stats — from long-term health conditions to violence and mental distress. Wai July offers a reset: a chance to show leadership, tautoko your brothers, and move intentionally towards better habits and clearer pathways.

Whether you’re doing this for your health, your whānau, or to prove to yourself that you can — Wai July is about showing up. For yourself, and for those you care about.