Te Rau Aroha was a vibrant hub of whakawhanaungatanga mō te hapori today, hosting a free kaupapa that brought whānau together in the spirit of Kirihimete and collective hauora.
The ‘Te Taonga o Te Aroha’ event offered a diverse range of activities at 9 James Street in Whakatāne, transforming the space into a festive and welcoming wāhi for all.
From 10am to 2pm, whānau were invited to engage in multiple kaupapa, offering them the chance to get tautoko and to be uplifted.
Whānau members praised the event as a meaningful opportunity to whakatau te wairua, highlighting the thoughtful array of activities and supportive atmosphere.
The event included:
- Health checks
- A white elephant stall
- Creative workshops like Christmas card and decoration-making
- Barbeque kai
- Rongoā services
- A cookie-in-a-jar station
- Bracelet bead crafting
- A gift wrapping area.
The result being, an event which embodied a holistic approach to community wellbeing, combining practical support with creative and social interactions.
Organisers hoped the event would help whānau prepare for the upcoming Kirihimete (Christmas) season with joy and connection.
Te Taonga o te Aroha resumes āpōpō with toi Māori and rongoā events taking place at Acacia House in Whakatāne.
To learn more, visit: https://www.tpoom.co.nz/te-taonga-o-te-aroha
