Family Start
At Manaaki Ora, we believe whānau are at the heart of good health. Through education and support, our goal is to inspire and nurture whānau, building resilience and giving pēpi the best possible start in life.
Family Start is a home-visiting service that provides early support to whānau who are expecting a pēpi or caring for a baby under the age of one.
The service is about finding simple, supportive ways to manage challenges whānau may face – with guidance that’s focussed on your pēpi, built on your strengths and grounded in kaupapa Māori.
Who is this service for?
Hapū māmā or whānau caring for a pēpi under one year old, who are finding parenting a bit hard right now.
What areas does Family Start cover?
We work with whānau in the Rotorua region and Murupara. If you live outside of these areas, you can still give us a call – we’ll help you find Family Start support in your area.
How does Family Start work?
You’ll be connected with a Whānau Kaitiaki (Family Caregiver), who will work closely with you. Your Kaitiaki will:
- Visit you at home to get to know you, your pēpi, partner, and extended whānau.
- Support the wellbeing of your whole whānau, using Te Whare Tapa Whā which looks at health through taha tinana (physical), taha wairua (spiritual), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), and taha whānau (family and social)Build on what’s already going well and find areas where we can help)Build on what’s already going well and find areas where we can help
- Share information on how pēpi grow, stay healthy, and learn
- Offer fun and easy ways to support your pēpi and their development, and help build strong bonds
- Help you set goals that matter to you and support you to reach them
- Connect you with services that will help you and your whānau – including access to Early Learning payments, so your pēpi can start ECE or Kōhanga from 18 months
Family Start is not an emergency or crisis service, but we can work with other services to make sure you and your pēpi get the support you need.
Keen to see more? Check out our Facebook page for updates, pānui, and helpful tips for you and your whānau.
Keen to connect?
Contact Us
Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Phone
0800 348 2400
Address
16-20 Houkotuku Street, Ōhinemutu