PĀNUI
NEWS
Whānau Resilience Symposium 2025
22 / 10 / 2025
Earlier this month, three of our kaimahi had the privilege of attending the Whānau Resilience Symposium 2025, held over two days at Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae in Point Chevalier, Tāmaki Makaurau. The symposium took place on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th of October, bringing together services from across the motu who deliver the Whānau Resilience programme in their communities.
The wairua of the event was beautiful, filled with kōrero, waiata, laughter, and connection. Our MC, Pale, carried the kaupapa with warmth, humour, and an incredible singing voice, a true highlight of the symposium.
Among the inspiring speakers was Debs Murray from ECLIPSE - Lived Experience Led, who shared her powerful journey exploring coercive control in family violence. Her kōrero reminded us of the strength that comes from turning pain into purpose.
Andrew Tauai spoke about “holding the hope” and the difference between facts and truth, how whānau can be judged by facts alone, but when we look deeper, the truth tells a different story. His message was a strong reminder to always explore truth when walking alongside our whānau.
"A space for connection, clarity and collective healing"
One of the most valuable parts of the symposium was the opportunity to connect with others delivering Whānau Resilience throughout Aotearoa. Every region delivers the service differently, some through regular wānanga, others via group programmes, and some, like us, through one-to-one support. Regardless of delivery style, the heart of the kaupapa remained the same: whānau-led healing grounded in kaupapa Māori principles.
It was also a special moment to spend time with the rest of the Tū Pono Collaboration team from Ōtautahi.
As one of our kaimahi delivers the service from Hakatere, time together in person is rare. Sharing kai, kōrero and laughter strengthened our whakawhānaungatanga and reminded us of the importance of connection beyond the mahi.
The clarity taken away from this experience reaffirmed that the way we work, whānau-led, listening to whānau voice, and grounded in our He Waka Tapu values, is exactly how it should be for the best outcomes for our people. This symposium reminded us of the power of wānanga, of truth, and of hope.
We want to extend a huge mihi to He Waka Tapu for the opportunity to attend and to all who made this year’s symposium possible. The kai was exceptional, the kōrero inspiring, and the connections made will continue to guide our mahi in strengthening whānau resilience. We look forward to Whānau Resilience Symposium 2026, set to be held in Blenheim, and can’t wait to see how the kaupapa continues to grow.
