Te Tai-awa o Te Ora

Ko Wai Mātou
Who we are

Te Tai refers to the sea or coastline. Awa means river.
Together, Te Tai‑awa describes the place where river meets sea a powerful space of movement, turbulence, and transition. It is here that new currents form and new possibilities emerge.

“O te ora” means of life, of wellbeing.
Te Tai‑awa o Te Ora reflects our kaupapa: supporting people through life’s ebbs and flows helping them move from turbulence toward steadiness, clarity, and wellbeing.

We journey alongside whānau, offering guidance, practical tools, and unwavering support as they navigate their path toward ora.

This is who we are.
This is the heart of our mahi.

We are a kaupapa Māori social services provider offering counselling, social work, and wellbeing programmes that support individuals and whānau to heal, grow, and thrive. We provide holistic, culturally grounded support for people and whānau navigating life’s challenges.

We understand wellbeing as a balance of:
Hinengaro – mental and emotional wellbeing
Wairua – spiritual wellbeing
Tinana – physical wellbeing
Whānau – family and social wellbeing

Our practice upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi, mana motuhake, and the right of whānau to define their own pathways towards wellbeing.

Tō Mātou Whakapapa
Honouring our past

The turbulence when fresh water from the rivers meets salt water was visionary in the establishment of Te Tai-awa o Te Ora over three decades ago. The need to support whānau in a way that is culturally grounded in ao Māori holistic world views was pivotal in the way we shaped our service delivery. Our mahi is enduring, we have grown alongside our hapori and will continue to do so mō ake tonu ātu.

Tō Mātou Pūtake
Our Why

Our purpose is to ensure the needs and aspirations of whānau are reflected in the priorities of our service delivery, and in the way our services are designed and delivered. This involves the use of Māori wellbeing models and the application of Mātauranga Māori in the way we work. This purpose-filled and meaningful work will impact the health and social wellbeing of Māori and the whānau in our hapori for generations to come.

Tā Mātou Tūruapō
Our Vision

Our name carries deep meaning. Te Tai-awa evokes the imagery of tides and rivers dynamic, interconnected, and life-giving. It speaks to the turbulence and flow that shape our journey, reminding us that even in times of challenge, movement leads to renewal. Te Ora signifies wellbeing, vitality, and the ultimate goal of thriving communities. Together, our name reflects resilience and transformation: navigating currents with purpose, guiding whānau from turbulence toward ora.

Just as water adapts and finds its path, so too do we navigate our journey with resilience, unity, and purpose.