Throughout June, Te Wānanga o Raukawa hosted a series of wānanga oranga in Whangārei, Gisborne, Ōtaki, and Pātea, creating welcoming, supportive spaces for ākonga to pause, reset, and recharge. Offered as a free wellbeing service, He Ringa Āhuru focused on supporting stress, sleep, and mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs in a way that felt accessible and grounded in te ao Māori. 

Ākonga could easily book sessions online and then attend in person, choosing from a range of holistic offerings such as mirimiri, romiromi, rongoā, sound and energy healing, and kōrero tahi. These sessions were popular, reflecting how eager ākonga were to engage in hauora-enhancing experiences. 

The timing proved perfect, landing towards the end of Semester One when many students begin to feel the pressure of assessments. For many, the wānanga created a valuable moment to reflect, restore balance, and refocus on their studies and personal wellbeing. 

At its heart, He Ringa Āhuru is about meeting ākonga where they are. Using a culturally grounded and responsive approach, the programme weaves together referrals, outreach, wānanga, and holistic practices to support students as they juggle study, whānau responsibilities, mahi, and everyday life. 

For many participants, this was their first time accessing any form of support, specially one grounded in kaupapa Māori that integrates cultural, holistic, and clinical wellbeing. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with ākonga reporting reduced stress, better focus, and a renewed ability to continue their learning journey with confidence. 

The impact extended beyond students too. An additional day was added so kaimahi of Te Wānanga o Raukawa could also experience the benefits of the wānanga and strengthening wellbeing across the wider whānau of the wānanga. 

What Ākonga Are Experiencing 

Many ākonga are reaching out early, before challenges escalate, which aligns perfectly with the intent of He Ringa Āhuru. Common themes include stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed during busy assessment periods. Balancing study alongside whānau, mahi, and personal commitments can take its toll, leading to fatigue, low mood, disrupted sleep, and difficulty concentrating. 

While these challenges often sit within the mild to moderate range, having the right support at the right time makes all the difference in maintaining engagement and wellbeing. 

A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing 

The wānanga offered a rich mix of services, each contributing to overall hauora: 

• Rongoā Māori 
  Restores balance across tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and whānau, helping ākonga stay grounded and resilient. 
• Mirimiri & Romiromi 
  Release built-up tension, supporting relaxation, clarity, and improved focus. 
• Whakapapa & Kōrero 
  Strengthen identity and connection—key foundations for resilience and belonging. 
• Ākonga Wellness Sessions 
  Provide practical, culturally grounded tools to manage stress and build sustainable wellbeing habits. 
• Kōrero Tahi & Counselling 
  Offer safe, confidential spaces for early support and meaningful conversations. 
• Kōrero ā Wairua 
  Nurture spiritual wellbeing, helping ākonga reconnect, feel centred, and move forward with purpose. 

Looking Ahead  

The kaupapa of He Ringa Āhuru remains clear: to create safe, trusted spaces where ākonga and their whānau feel supported across all dimensions of wellbeing—tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and whānau. With such a strong response and positive impact, the programme will continue to grow, reaching more ākonga and strengthening connection, engagement, and wellbeing across the Te Wānanga o Raukawa whānau. 

He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata

(Goodwill towards people is a precious treasure)