Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka
All people. All nations.
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Our vision is to support the dreams and aspirations of all individuals, working towards independence and integrity—this is our commitment to ‘tino rangatiratanga.’
Manaakitanga
We welcome and care for everyone who comes to our marae or services. We show kindness, respect and generosity in our words and actions.
Te Wero
We are willing to take on challenges and step into new opportunities. We adapt and find solutions even when things are tough.
Kia Tika Kia Pono
We act with integrity, honesty and fairness. We do what we say we will, and we make decisions that are right for our people.
Rangatiratanga
We take responsibility for our actions and lead by example. We empower others to have a voice and to make decisions for themselves and their whānau
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata
Waka Incorporated
250 Pages Road, Wainoni
ChristchurchPhone
03 382 6628
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is the confederation of all people, Exclusive of none, People from all Waka
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is a community-focused social, health and education provider based in Wainoni, dedicated to supporting individuals and whānau predominantly within the Canterbury region. With a warm, welcoming approach, we offer a range of services that promote wellbeing, education, and connection.
Based at Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka was founded to represent and uplift Urban Māori—those living away from their ancestral iwi and rohe.
Established in the 1970s by respected kaumātua such as the late Hohua Tutengaehe, the Rūnanga arose from a deep need: to create a united voice and support network for Māori from many iwi, now living in Ōtautahi.
The organisation was officially incorporated in 1989 and became recognised as an Urban Māori Authority.
Our name, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka, means “the confederation of all tribes, all nations, all people, exclusive of none” This reflects our inclusive kaupapa—welcoming not only Māori but people of all backgrounds and cultures.
Whānau Support Services
Whānau-Centred Support, Grounded in Kaupapa Māori.
We provide holistic, culturally grounded care that nurtures wellbeing,
empowers wāhine, supports māmā and pēpi, and strengthens tamariki
and whānau. Guided by kaupapa Māori values, we’re here to walk
alongside whānau on their journey to thrive.
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Through the Te Ara Tūhono service, we assist whānau Māori in understanding and accessing ACC entitlements, advocating for their rights, and navigating complex processes.
Supporting whānau to understand ACC claims, cover, and entitlements
Providing guidance and advocacy throughout the ACC process
Connecting whānau with additional health and social services
Ensuring equitable access to ACC support for Māori
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The delivery of one on one financial mentoring and peer-led group support for whānau who are experiencing financial hardship with the aim of enabling them to become more financially capable, gain control over their financial lives and make long-term change.
Financial mentors – one-on-one service focused on helping people, families and whānau with their finances.
MoneyMates – peer-led support group programme that encourages people to learn from others as they talk about money and finances in a group situation.
BFC Plus – intensive support for people with more complex needs
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka (TRoNMW) Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Standard Programme is a brief intervention designed to support tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and their whānau (families) throughout the Otautahi/Canterbury region.
TRoNMW FFT is available to whanau of tamariki/rangatahi aged 10 – 17.
Relationships are important. Your therapist will ensure a trusting relationship by providing a safe and respectful space
Hope. Recognising strengths and what whanau do well to address and understand causation
Decrease conflict within whanau to promote positive relationships
Decrease or eliminate challenging behaviours by improving family functionality and acquiring new skills
Strengthen appropriate networks and resources that encourage and maintain progress
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The service provides intensive, intentional, and practical support to whānau at risk who are involved with Oranga Tamariki for care and protection concerns and have agreed to a referral to Kāhu Matarau
A collaborative initiative involving:
Five community agencies
Oranga Tamariki Christchurch East site
Mana whenua involvement at the governance level
Intensive, intentional, and practical support for whānau involved with Oranga Tamariki for care and protection concerns
Support is provided by referral and with whānau agreement
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Free, non-judgemental, and culturally inclusive safe environment for hapū wahine, new māma, their partners and whanau.
Health & wellbeing education for māma and pēpi.
One-on-one support (home visits, phone, and text).
Advocacy
Provide information and resources
Support with health-related appointments
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The Tiaki Tangata service supports Māori offenders being released from prisons to transition and reintegrate into their local community.
Pre- and post-release support (3–6 months before and up to 12 months after release)
One-on-one support with a dedicated Navigator
Individualised reintegration plans developed with input from Case Managers, Probation Officers, and whānau
Cultural, health, and wellbeing support
Practical assistance, including:
Prison pick-up and transport
Cellphone, shopping, and accommodation support
Help with ID, bank accounts, and MSD entitlements
Advocacy with Oranga Tamariki and referrals to specialist services
On-site probation services at the Marae
Weekly progress meetings with Probation and Navigators
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Whanau Ora is an inclusive interagency approach to providing health and social services to build the capacity of all New Zealand families.
Provide an inclusive, family-centered approach to health and social services for New Zealand whānau.
Empower whānau to identify their own solutions and improve their lives with support from hapū or iwi.
Assign a practitioner or “navigator” to work closely with whānau to:
Identify needs
Develop personalized plans
Connect whānau to a range of health, education, and social services
Focuses on strengthening the whole whānau rather than individuals separately.
Aim to restore self-belief and cultural identity through support grounded in vibrant traditions.
If you or your whānau need additional support or want to further understand what options you have that help your whānau create a better future, get in touch now.
Youth & Education
Empowering Rangatahi & Building Life Skills
We support rangatahi through tailored programs that foster resilience, leadership, and positive pathways into adulthood. Alongside this, we offer practical life skills and education that equip individuals and whānau to navigate everyday challenges with confidence and independence.
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Young people leaving care or a youth justice residence face some significant challenges and can often be extremely vulnerable, particularly when it comes to reoffending and/or living independently. In response, the Transition to Adulthood initiative was established by Oranga Tamariki.
Set and plan goals – the rangathi leads this process
Meet identified needs, including accommodation, training and life skill development
Mitigate risks – this could include a tangathi having more contact with family/whānau and needing to manage difficult relashinships and keep themselves safe.
This is for rangathi to continue to be supported from age 18-21 after they have been discharged from Oranga Tamriki care at age 18. Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is privileged to have been hand-picked alongside a small group of other NGOs to act as a provider for this service.
Education & Life Skills
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is a respected provider of private education in Ōtautahi, with over twenty years of successful programme delivery. We are committed to delivering high-quality education that serves the needs of both Māori and non-Māori students.
Kaupapa Māori-based programmes in a bi-cultural learning environment
Designed for adult learners, acknowledging and valuing lived experience
A supportive, empowering space that promotes ownership of learning
Focus on social services education, preparing graduates to work ethically and competently with individuals, groups, and communities
Programmes combine:
Academic theory and practical skills
Research, critical thinking, and decision-making
Professional values and ethical practice aligned with the ANZASW Code of Ethics
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The delivery of one on one financial mentoring and peer-led group support for whānau who are experiencing financial hardship with the aim of enabling them to become more financially capable, gain control over their financial lives and make long-term change.
Financial mentors – one-on-one service focused on helping people, families and whānau with their finances.
MoneyMates – peer-led support group programme that encourages people to learn from others as they talk about money and finances in a group situation.
BFC Plus – intensive support for people with more complex needs
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The driving team offers driving lessons and training to help individuals gain the skills and confidence needed to obtain a driver’s license, often supporting those with barriers like disabilities or low income.
Driving Lessons ($80 per lesson inclusive of GST)
Open to all
Assessment drive provided
Focus on self-established goals, with direction from Driving instructor
Use of vehicle and learning tools provided
WINZ quotes available
Family Harm Reduction & Wellbeing
Safety, Strength & Support for Whānau
We’re here to support whānau through life’s most challenging times—offering compassionate care, restorative solutions, and pathways to healing. Our services focus on enhancing safety and building resilience for those impacted by harm, crisis, or serious health journeys
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka provides a range of family harm services aimed at supporting and protecting individuals and whānau experiencing family violence. Our services are whānau-led, grounded in kaupapa Māori values, and focus on safety, wellbeing, and empowerment.
Whānau-led, kaupapa Māori-based support for individuals and whānau affected by family violence
Services that focus on safety, wellbeing, and long-term empowerment
Culturally responsive care, including:
Crisis intervention
Medium-term “stay safe” support
Long-term healing and recovery pathways
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Fast Track is a short-term platform to deliver intensive support while the whānau plan is developed that will include other services (community and government) to meet the needs of whānau.
A short-term, intensive support platform for whānau while a wider support plan is developed
Operates 7 days a week with kaimahi engaging whānau within 24 hours of referral
Provides an immediate response for persistent or serious offenders aged 10 to 13 years
Focuses on offenders who have committed an offence within the previous 24 hours
Aims to prevent further offending by addressing needs promptly and connecting whānau with community and government services
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Te Herenga Tangata is a Kaupapa Māori Codesign of Whānau Centered Facilitation
Its approach is to establish, restore or maintain healthy safe whānau functioning for whānau who have experienced low to medium family violence.
What we offer:
Whānau-centred facilitation focused on restoring or maintaining safe, healthy whānau functioning
Supports whānau experiencing low to medium levels of family violence
A collaborative initiative involving:
Our organisation (lead coordinator)
Three other Kaupapa Māori Family Violence Service providers in Ōtautahi
Our role includes:
Coordinating funding, contracts, and reporting
Leading service design, delivery, and development
Supporting collective members, managers, and kaimahi
Providing ongoing evaluations to inform service improvement
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Whānau Resilience supports the long-term healing and recovery for whānau affected by violence to create strong, resilient communities where whānau live free from harm, and violence is eliminated for the next generation.
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After being arrested for a minor offence which can be heard by an Iwi Community Panel, first time offenders are offered the choice by the Police of attending a panel hearing or having the matter dealt with by the Police and Court
What we offer:
A Police-referred alternative to the traditional court process for first-time offenders charged with minor offences
Participation is voluntary – individuals choose between a panel hearing or proceeding through the Police and Court system
Offenders must accept responsibility for their actions to take part
The panel is made up of community members who:
Work with the participant to understand the cause of the offence
Develop a restorative, solution-focused plan for accountability and repair
Successful completion means the offence is not recorded on the participant’s criminal record
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka (TRoNMW) Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Standard Programme is a brief intervention designed to support tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and their whānau (families) throughout the Otautahi/Canterbury region.
TRoNMW FFT is available to whanau of tamariki/rangatahi aged 10 – 17.
Relationships are important. Your therapist will ensure a trusting relationship by providing a safe and respectful space
Hope. Recognising strengths and what whanau do well to address and understand causation
Decrease conflict within whanau to promote positive relationships
Decrease or eliminate challenging behaviours by improving family functionality and acquiring new skills
Strengthen appropriate networks and resources that encourage and maintain progress
Hauora (Wellbeing)
Supporting Whānau to Thrive & Be Well
We walk alongside whānau on their wellbeing journey. Grounded in aroha and kotahitanga, our mahi uplifts the whole person, strengthening resilience and restoring hauora in everyday life.
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Cancer Care Coordination is a vital service designed to support individuals and their whānau through all stages of the cancer care continuum, from screening and diagnosis to treatment, survivorship, and palliative care.
The primary goal of Cancer Care Coordination is to improve cancer survival rates for Māori by providing comprehensive guidance, advocacy, and support throughout their healthcare journey.
This service is crucial in reducing the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, minimizing delays in care, increasing treatment completion, and improving survival rates.
Provide an inclusive, family-centered approach to health and social services for New Zealand whānau.
Empower whānau to identify their own solutions and improve their lives with support from hapū or iwi.
Assign a practitioner or “navigator” to work closely with whānau to:
Identify needs
Develop personalized plans
Connect whānau to a range of health, education, and social services
Focuses on strengthening the whole whānau rather than individuals separately.
Aim to restore self-belief and cultural identity through support grounded in vibrant traditions.
What we offer:
Whānau-centred support through all stages of cancer care:
Screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care
Focused on improving cancer outcomes for Māori
Helps reduce trauma, avoid delays in care, and increase treatment completion and survival rates
Our support includes:
Assessment of needs and goals to develop a proactive care plan
Navigation of health and social services
Advocacy on behalf of patients and whānau
Help understanding medical language and treatment options
Assistance with medication management
Home visits and accompaniment to GP and hospital appointments
Support for those who need to travel for treatment
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Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka (TRoNMW) Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Standard Programme is a brief intervention designed to support tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and their whānau (families) throughout the Otautahi/Canterbury region.
TRoNMW FFT is available to whanau of tamariki/rangatahi aged 10 – 17.
Relationships are important. Your therapist will ensure a trusting relationship by providing a safe and respectful space
Hope. Recognising strengths and what whanau do well to address and understand causation
Decrease conflict within whanau to promote positive relationships
Decrease or eliminate challenging behaviours by improving family functionality and acquiring new skills
Strengthen appropriate networks and resources that encourage and maintain progress
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We facilitate community programmes that blend music therapy principles with tikanga Māori to nurture holistic well-being.
Therapeutic use of creative practices, including:
Playing instruments
Writing lyrics
Music production
Provides whaiora with access to musical instruments and production equipment to:
Explore self-expression
Process emotions
Develop coping strategies
Creates a safe, supportive healing environment that fosters:
Emotional resilience
Social connection
Positive behavioural change
Supports whaiora’s with their personal growth, cultural identity, and community integration
Our Home
Ngā Hau e Whā, meaning “the four winds,” is a place of gathering for people from everywhere. It embodies our kaupapa of inclusivity and connection. It is also a hub where multiple agencies and community services work together for a common good.
We believe that education, community, and cultural identity are the keys to a brighter future. Through our Marae and the many programmes we offer, we are helping tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau realise their potential and determine their own futures—together.
Referral Process
Accessing our services here at Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka is simple.
Individuals can self-refer by filling out our online form below
or calling 03 382 6628 for more information.
