Growing whānau wellbeing goes beyond quick fixes. It’s about redesigning systems to empower whānau, supporting their self-determination, and building systems that help them live well. The question is, are we ready to back whānau, not just with words, but with action?
With 124 attendees and 51 organisations at our He Waka Eke Noa: Toxic Stress Symposium, one thing is clear: Our region and the lower North Island are ready to tackle the barriers preventing whānau from achieving their aspirations for wellbeing.
We know that when we empower whānau to lead with their goals and aspirations, we create resilient communities that are well. Alex Woodley, Point Research Director shared a real life example of a whānau-led approach, where after addressing multiple stressors that whānau were facing, such as housing and food security, they began to see significant improvement with parenting and overall well being.
“We evaluated a programme called Mana Whānau, where they explored removing the stressors in whānau lives - it's a do what it takes response. This initiative was for families living with 4 or more stressors and at risk of losing their children. Sometimes making whānau do parenting programmes is just adding another stressor as is going to food banks - another stress navigating transport, cost, and the shame of repeating your story. The kaimahi focused in Mana Whānau focused on supporting whānau with one stressor at a time, and almost immediately the parenting issues came right and the families began to move forward together. Reducing the compounded weight of persistent stress by addressing the stress on top can make a significant and immediate impact to their overall physiological and neurological wellbeing.”
For too long, we've acted as if the solution to toxic stress is making people, especially tamariki, tougher. More resilient. Better at surviving in systems designed to hold them back. But let’s be clear, we don’t fix this by making tamariki stronger when they’re experiencing toxic stress. We fix this by removing the pressure.
Toxic stress isn’t an individual failing. It’s not about people needing to “cope better.” It’s the result of a system that hoards resources for a few while leaving the majority to struggle. And that’s not an accident - it’s by design. The good news? Failing systems can be redesigned .
During the Symposium when asked the question, “What does it look like to take action as a collective?” Many kaimahi who work with whānau learnt that toxic stress not only affects the body. It not only shortens the telomeres of our DNA that determines life expectancy. It not only affects the mind. But it also becomes generational.
“The trends are real, we try to eliminate those trends. Then we see that these trends are actually generational” Social Worker
Another kaimahi expressed the need to challenge the system,
“Challenging the rules, just because they are there doesn't mean that they always fit right.” Social worker
Navigating the system should not feel like an insurmountable obstacle, yet for many, it is - especially when families have no executive function - navigating a hospital let alone a food bank can be an absolute nightmare.
Toxic Stress is a Systems Issue And We’re Tackling It Together
In Aotearoa many are living under extreme stress and understanding the impact of toxic stress requires considering the broader social and environmental factors affecting whānau wellbeing, with socioeconomic deprivation playing a major role. Areas with higher deprivation face significant barriers to health, as highlighted by the New Zealand Index of Deprivation (NZDep), which shows how poverty limits access to quality housing, heating, transport, and healthcare while increasing exposure to environmental hazards. In Whanganui, high deprivation areas are especially vulnerable, with compounded risks impacting whānau resilience and mental wellbeing. The statistics paint a sobering picture. In 2023, the average household income in Whanganui was $91,795, well below the national average of $125,217, ranking 51st out of 66 Territorial Authorities. Housing affordability remains a critical issue, with Whanganui’s average household income at $95,934 in the year to March 2023, ranking 45th out of 66 Territorial Authorities. Rental affordability is deteriorating, with the average weekly rent of $433 rising faster than the national average, and Whanganui ranking 45th out of 66 Territorial Authorities for the percentage of household income spent on rent.
As a response, our rohe is stepping up, showing up, and choosing to face this challenge together.
When we lift stressors off whānau, we don’t just change their present - we reshape their entire future. Brains rewire. Generations heal. The cycle of hardship doesn’t have to be inherited. But that only happens if we stop having a “thick skin bias” and that is accepting stress and struggle as normal, as inevitable.
So here’s the real question: Will we continue patching up a broken system, or will we rewrite the balance?
It starts with us demanding better, redistributing power, and refusing to let another generation be told they simply have to endure. The future we want is possible. But only if we create it. Will you be part of the change?
Call to Action: Building the Movement
The Growing Collective Wellbeing Strategy continues to strengthen Māori systems and knowledge, ensuring whānau-led solutions remain at the heart of the work. Safe spaces for whānau to heal and lead their own solutions are a priority. People have told us that restoring community spirit and increasing connectivity are key to strengthening collective wellbeing. This is still a key message we are hearing.
“Building connection and trust is important. Unless you have that people aren't willing to share what the concerns or issues are.” - Kaimahi at He Waka Eke Noa: Toxic Stress Symposium 2025
Shifting the narrative around wellbeing means normalising kōrero, challenging stigma, and creating environments where whānau feel valued. This isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about dismantling the root causes of toxic stress and ensuring our communities have the resources, autonomy, and support to rewrite the future.
Last year, Healthy Families WRR hosted a Toxic Stress Workshop Series led by experts Alex Woodley and Nadine Metzger, bringing together community leaders, iwi, and frontline workers to explore how reducing even one major stressor can significantly improve wellbeing. Those that attended these workshops agreed that hosting a Symposium would help to build the movement.
Now, the conversation has moved forward. On March 18th, He Waka Eke Noa: The Toxic Stress Symposium brought together experts, whānau, and community leaders to explore real solutions. We were fortunate again to be joined by exceptional speakers, Alex Woodley and Nadine Metzgar of Point & Associates, who’ve dedicated over 20 years to tackling toxic stress. We also welcomed back home, Jase Te Patu of Hauora Aotearoa, who is doing impactful mahi, equipping young people with self-awareness, resilience, mātauranga Māori through the sharing of pūrakau, mindfulness and movement practices. The Symposium focused on shifting from awareness to action.
Our next step is to continue building the movement:
“When working to address systems change we need to find the leverage that will help overturn systemic failure and create a domino effect of positive outcomes. 51 organisations turned up to learn about the impacts of toxic stress - that collective interest is the kind of leverage we need to interrupt the trajectory of toxic stress our whānau are or will experience. Growing Collective Wellbeing is about growing a movement for positive change.” Rīpeka Davis, Mātaiawa Research & Innovation Te Oranganui
As a rohe, we’re taking action, are you ready to join the movement?
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