The HEHA Maori Community Action Project has been established to promote an environment where whanau are supported to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

It aims to support Maori, Maori community groups and key organisations to develop and implement initiatives that focus on total well being.  They should empower communities, and individuals to take opportunities to advance health and wellbeing through an approach that is effective and appropriate for them.  Importantly, community action projects seek to bring about long term sustainable change in communities. Whanau ora is the basis of this approach and it is an influential theme in its philosophy of Maori wellbeing.

Key He Korowai Oranga Messages:

• Foster Maori community development
• Increase Maori participation in decision-making
• Address health inequalities for Maori
• Building on Maori Models of Health
• Increase Maori community capacity and capability
• Improve mainstream effectiveness
• Removing barriers
• Develop the health workforce to respond to Maori health
• Work across sectors

Kai Tahu Ki Otago (KTKO) Ltd. is contracted by Otago DHB to take a lead role in facilitating the Maori Community Action Project in Otago.  Specifically, KTKO undertakes the role of providing support, information and facilitation to build Maori community capacity and workforce development to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and reduce obesity.

In addition KTKO also encourages and supports Maori communities to make applications to the Otago DHB for HEHA Maori Community Action Project Grant funding, which is used to assist with implementation of projects/initiatives/actions to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and reduce obesity.

This fund is held by the Otago DHB and facilitated by the Otago HEHA Manager. Lorraine Nelson from Kai Tahu Ki Otago Ltd. is the Project Coordinator for the HEHA Maori Community Action Project.

To contact Lorraine for more information:

Email heha@ktkoltd.co.nz

Free phone 0800 434 2622
Landline 03 474 2761
Mobile  021 204 6321

Projects Funded

The first round of the HEHA Maori Community Action Fund was held in November 2009, with $155,635 (excl. GST) being allocated to projects.  Below is a list of groups that have received funding:

Applying to the Maori Community Action Fund

The fund will support Maori community based projects that are action oriented and encourage implementation of the Healthy Eating Healthy Action and He Korowai Oranga strategies, whanau ora principles, key messages and outcomes that are directed toward Maori peoples making informed healthier food and drink choices and participating in active healthy lifestyles.

What could be funded?

• Projects that have links to traditional and customary Maori food gathering and preparation and/or physical activities
• Projects that meet the needs of and benefit Maori communities
• Projects that interact Maori role models with koroua (older man), kuia (older women), pakeke (adults), rangatahi (youth) and tamariki (children)

Applications for Round 2 of the Otago HEHA Maori Community Action Fund close at 5pm on Monday 15 March.  You can download more information on applying and an application form by clicking here: 

Background Information and Application Form