OUR PURPOSE
Our community, our mission.
Whakamana Ora is based in Manurewa, South Auckland, which is a melting pot for many beautiful cultures and communities. However, we also have some of the worst rates of poverty, family violence, youth suicide and crime in the country.
Within this community are many people with untapped leadership potential, who have been limited by past trauma, disadvantage and societal sterotypes. They have often been overlooked or counted out, and don't believe they have it within them to live a life of purpose or be a leader who makes a difference.
These people want to help bring change to their families and communities but need help to get there. This is what Whakamana Ora is working to do.
What makes Whakamana Ora unique?
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We work with those who are often overlooked and “dig for the gold”
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We value each person’s story and empower them to use their unique strengths and experiences to help make a difference
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We journey with people long-term through their ups and downs providing love, support and community
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We model servant leadership, generosity, hospitality and “love in action”
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We actively work to support our community partners because we know that we are stronger together.
Our Vision:
We envision a community where our people are living well in all areas of their lives, healed, free and empowered in their God-given mana to be change-makers.
Restoring mana, empowering leaders.
We are working to support people on a journey to restore their mana and fulfill their true potential.
For this reason, we have adopted the huia feather as our symbol. A huia feather is beyond price, a treasure of the highest value symbolising mana and chieftainship.
Our name was given to us by kaumatua Te Hurihanga Rihari, pastor of Te Kupu Ministries in Northland. The term “whakamana” means to empower. It involves giving authority, respect, validation, or support to someone or something.
(Te Aka Māori dictionary).
"Of all the birds in the forest, the huia was the most sacred to Māori. Other birds were also prized for their plumes, but huia was preeminent. In pre-European times, only chiefs of high rank and their whānau wore the distinguished tail feathers in their hair..."
"Like jewels plucked from a royal crown, huia feathers were given as tokens of friendship and respect."
“I wore the huia feather to remind people that it was a symbol of rangatiratanga and mana..."
-FROM 'HUIA THE SACRED BIRD', NZ GEOGRAPHIC
"Whakamana Ora" means "to live empowered".
our mission
To engage, equip and empower our community through mutually supportive partnerships, to bring about transformational change in Aotearoa and beyond.
The Luke Project
As a faith-based organisation, we have taken our mandate from Luke 4:18:
“…to proclaim good news to the poor.. to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
Our Story
The core of our work is the Community Leadership Programme (CLP) which was initially developed in 2022 by Priscilla Moodley under Te Whakaora Tangata, a South Auckland charity working with "high -risk" families.
When Te Whakaora closed in September 2024, the CLP participants decided they didn’t want to finish there – they wanted to carry on because of the impact the programme was having in their lives, and the love and support they received.
In response, Len and Pris Moodley continued delivering CLP out of their home, and finished the year strong with a graduation celebration for over 50 guests.
There is a core team of people committed to continuing this work under Whakamana Ora, expanding upon it through The Luke Project to serve, reach and empower our communities.
CLP session at Pris & Len's house, October 2024
Faith - Hope - Love
We are committed to demonstrating love, putting faith in action and bringing hope through support, hospitality, respect, generosity and care for people. (Manaakitanga)
Community
We believe in building deep relationships through shared experiences and working together, providing people with a sense of whānau connection and belonging. (Whanaungatanga)
Storytelling
We believe in the power of sharing our stories to connect us together and bring hope. Every person’s story matters.
Partnership
We believe in the power of mutually supportive partnership and will actively partner with like-minded organisations to see lives transformed and communities flourish.