Nau mai, haere mai – welcome
This is a locally-maintained list of wellbeing / support services in Taranaki. Spotted an out-of-date entry, or an organisation which is missing? Please drop us an email to let us know, and we’ll sort it!
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Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi – With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Kōia – mana kai, mana tangata (Gardening for well-being)
Contact: Steve Francis
Biographical Info
Kōia – mana kai, mana tangata (Gardening for well-being) is a holistic, gardening-based health initiative (building on the existing Green Prescription), which encourages participation in community gardening to boost physical, spiritual, emotional/mental, & family/social well-being, by embedding positive behaviour change.
This is a social prescribing, holistic, health improvement service. It uses the mana of recognised health professionals to refer their patients to coordinated community garden sessions In Taranaki.
The objective is to maintain & improve participants holistic well-being by being involved in community gardening activities. Based on the Māori hauora concept of “Te Whare Tapa Whā”, participants benefit through physical activity, social connection, community contribution, & spiritual wellbeing. This kaupapa is still getting established. More gardens & referrers are being developed.
It is not about learning to garden (although that sometimes happens); it is about being present in a healthy community space. However, it is strongly connected to other kai resilience (& sustainability) kaupapa so can help with the economic wellbeing as well (the 5th “wall” of the “whare”).
Where? Available in North, South and Coastal Taranaki.
When? Days and times vary across the different locations and seasons.
Who? All ages. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult
Referrals: We accept referrals from GP and other health professionals.
