Whakapapa
Our Beginnings
Te Kete Pounamu is the national voice for Māori with lived/living experience of hauora hinengaro (mental health) and/or substance recovering (AOD). We are passionate about championing mauri ora for our whānau Māori, doing work within our community, for our community, and advocating for the voice of our peoples to be heard.
Tarawau ō Whakautu
Answering the Call of Our People
He Puna Rangatira 2007
This is a conference that provided leadership development for Tangata Whaiora Māori who are in or aspiring to advocacy, management or leadership roles in mental health and addiction. It was at this conference, that leaders in the space heard the call of whānau.
Lived Experience Advocacy
Te Kete Pounamu was developed in response to the desire of Māori with lived/living experience to have control over their own destinies; to advocate for the freedom to choose healing practices conducive and relevant to their iwi and culture, and to access to all services without being victimized by processes that only support non-Māori philosophies and medical practices.
Networks Across Aotearoa
Since our formation, Te Kete Pounamu has established regional networks spanning the length and breadth of Aotearoa. We have enhanced lived/living experience leadership and advocated for systematic change across the health and social sectors. We delivered Māori Lived Experience leadership and workforce development programs. Today we continue to advocate for Māori to receive high-quality care and support, while also supporting the development of services that are by whaiora Māori, for whaiora Māori.
Te Ahi Kōmau (left) was gifted to the Rōpu in 2015 during a wananga in Turanganui a Kiwa. As the eldest member of Te Kete Pounamu, the mantle of this kōhatu is to ensure the mauri of members, whanau and kaupapa is safe and respected as he mobilizes around the country. He keeps us safe holding the mauri for Te Kete Pounamu and travels across the mōtu. "The whakapapa of Te Ahi Kōmau relates to the narratives of our whānau experiences to provide enlightenment where there is no understanding or light in the darkness, comfort for whānau to know their voices are taonga and held with much respect." - Herewini Rangi
This pounamu (right) was gift by Whaea Lucy Bush to symbolize the relationship and partnership between Te Rau Matatini (now Te Rau Ora) and Te Kete Pounamu. It has since been gifted to Te Aka Whaiora to symbolize our partnership.
Pounamu ā Mātou
Our Pounamu
Tuakana Rōpu
Leaders that Lead the Way
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It is with the deepest appreciation that we acknowledge the founding members of Te Kete Pounamu. Their passion, vision, resilience and commitment were fundamental to establishing the kawa and foundation of our kaupapa. It is important that we acknowledge our whakapapa as Te Kete Pounamu would not exist without these amazing rangatira. Special mention of our passed kaumatua/kuia – Matua Tau Moeke, Matua Kingi Taurua and Whaea Hinewirangi Kohu Morgan.
"Kia rārangahia e tātou te kete kia kotahi. Hei kawe atu te pounamu tawhito. Let us weave the basket together as one. To carry the ancestral treasures."