Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora

03/09/2026

It was an absolute privilege to welcome Mariameno Kapa-Kingi mō Te Tai Tokeraui, Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau, and her husband, Korotangi, into our whare with a whakatau. 💚

Mariameno has dedicated much of her life to advocating for whānau Māori, both through decades of mahi within iwi, hauora and social services and, today, through her role representing the people of Te Tai Tokerau in Parliament.

At the heart of that mahi has been a strong and enduring commitment to our people, and particularly to ensuring the voices, wellbeing and futures of our tamariki and mokopuna remain at the forefront.

That is a kaupapa that resonates deeply with us at Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora.

Our whakatau was an opportunity not only to welcome Mariameno and Korotangi into our whare, but to share kōrero about the kaupapa we carry and the mahi happening every day across our organisation. We were incredibly proud to share the work of our kaimahi, who walk alongside tamariki and whānau through some of their most challenging times, strengthening whānau so our mokopuna can be healthy, strong, connected and surrounded by those who belong to them.

There is something incredibly powerful about sitting together with people who, despite carrying different roles and responsibilities, are ultimately working towards the same aspiration: better outcomes for our tamariki, mokopuna and whānau.

Mariameno, thank you for taking the time to visit our whare, to listen, to share your whakaaro and, importantly, to recognise and celebrate our kaimahi and the mahi they carry.

Your reflection that wherever you travel across the motu you feel connected to home was particularly special to read. We hope that when you and Korotangi entered our whare, you felt that same sense of connection, manaakitanga and belonging.

Ngā mihi nui ki a kōrua. It was an honour to have you with us and to share in kōrero grounded in what matters most, our tamariki, our mokopuna and our whānau. 💚

28/08/2026

Every tamaiti deserves a warm, safe and stable place to call home.

Through our Manaaki Ora service, we work alongside whānau experiencing housing challenges, supporting healthier living environments and creating stronger pathways towards long term stability.

Under Manaaki Ora, we provide Transitional Housing for whānau referred by MSD, offering safe, temporary accommodation alongside tailored support as whānau work towards securing a permanent home.

We also provide Awhi Healthy Homes, where our kaimahi identify housing conditions that may be affecting whānau health and connect households with practical support such as insulation, curtains and minor repairs.

We know that a whare is more than a roof. It is a place where tamariki should feel safe, rest, learn, play and grow.

Know someone who works alongside whānau experiencing housing challenges? Share this post to help build awareness of the support available.

25/08/2026

Kai, connection and opportunity

They say it takes a village, and Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together for tamariki and whānau.

A big mihi once again to Foodstuffs North Island PAK‘nSAVE Mill Street, Kindness Collective Foundation, Mitre 10 New Zealand Te Rapa and Ruakura, the DV Bryant Trust, and every supporter who helped bring the kaupapa to life WEL Energy Trust, Brian Perry Charitable Trust, Pathfinder Asset Management and many others.

As our Tumu Whakarae Jaye Wainui shares, the Cupboard is about more than affordable kai. Our vision is for it to grow into a hub where whānau can connect with the wider support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Hear also from Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke MP, Kingi Kiriona and Hon Nanaia Mahuta about the food insecurity facing our rohe and the practical difference this kaupapa can make.

Learn more or support the Cupboard 👉 https://kirikiriroascupboard.co.nz/

24/08/2026

The earliest years help lay the foundations tamariki carry throughout life.

Our Early Years and Tamariki Development services work alongside whānau from pregnancy through the first years of childhood, helping create safe, nurturing environments where tamariki can learn, grow and thrive.

Through Te Korowai Tauawhi | Family Start, Whakatō te Kākano | Poipoia te Mokopuna and Tamariki Matea Ako Arotake, our kaimahi provide practical support in the home, strengthen parenting confidence, encourage early learning and help connect tamariki with the support they need.

Grounded in tikanga and shaped around each whānau, this mahi also helps strengthen cultural identity, belonging and confidence from the beginning.

21/08/2026

He pānui iti mā koutou 💚🛒

We’ve had lots of interest in Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa, so here’s a little FYI for our whānau and community.

For now, our Social Supermarket is available to whānau currently engaged with Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora, with access by referral and appointment.

There are a few other things to know before you visit, so have a quick read through the info below 👇🏽

As Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa grows, we’ll keep you updated right here.

Ngā mihi nui for all the aroha our new kaupapa has received 💚

21/08/2026

Every whānau journey is different.

Our Whānau Support and Wellbeing services help tamariki thrive by empowering the whānau who care for them.

Through Whānau Ora, Mental Health Advocacy and Counselling, our kaimahi help whānau navigate challenges, connect with the right services and work towards the aspirations they hold for themselves and their tamariki.

This support can touch many parts of whānau life, from health, housing and education to employment, financial wellbeing and emotional support.

We know that when whānau feel supported and empowered, tamariki are better placed to stand strong and thrive.

You can learn more about our services and how to make a referral here 👉 https://ttto.org.nz/what-do-we-do

19/08/2026

Filled by the community, for the community.

Opening Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa has taken the support, expertise and generosity of many incredible organisations from across our community.

The Cupboard has been developed in partnership with Foodstuffs North Island, specifically PAK‘nSAVE Mill Street as our local buddy store.

Alongside them, a big thanks also goes to WEL Energy Trust, DV Bryant Trust, Lottery Grants Board, MāoriIT, Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Pathfinder Asset Management and Brian Perry Charitable Trust for helping make the kaupapa possible.

Ngā mihi nui also to the Kindness Collective Foundation and both Te Rapa and Ruakura teams from Mitre 10 New Zealand who helped us build and plant our maara kai, creating another way for tamariki and whānau to connect with growing and sharing fresh kai.

Thanks to each of these organisations with even more acknowledgements to come, for turning this idea into a reality.

And the mahi continues. Keeping the shelves full and growing what the Cupboard can offer will continue to take a community.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Learn more or support the Cupboard 👉 https://kirikiriroascupboard.co.nz/

18/08/2026

A new chapter for our tamariki, our whānau and our community. ❤️

Today we celebrated a vision becoming reality with the opening of Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa - Kirikiriroa's Cupboard.

Behind this moment are countless acts of generosity, belief and mahi. To every person, organisation, business and member of our community who gave their time, resources, expertise or support to help us get here, this milestone carries a little piece of each of you. Ngā mihi nui. ❤️

Our hope is that one day a social supermarket is no longer needed. Until then, we will continue to stand alongside our whānau, with our tamariki at the heart of why we do what we do.

Thank you to Te Karere for capturing this special milestone and sharing it with Aotearoa.

Mō ngā tamariki. Mō ngā whānau. Mō te hapori. ❤️

18/08/2026

Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa is officially open!

Today, Hamilton’s first social supermarket, Kirikiriroa's Cupboard, officially opened its doors. Built on mana, whanaungatanga and the belief that every whānau deserves to thrive.

For us, this kaupapa is about responding to food insecurity in a way that gives whānau dignity and choice, with a welcoming space to choose the kai and household essentials that work for their home.

As our Tumu Whakarae Jaye Wainui shared:
“The supermarket is the front door, but it is not the destination.”

By supporting what whānau need today, we open pathways to greater connection and opportunity, and help strengthen the environments our tamariki grow up in.

Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa has been made possible in partnership with Foodstuffs North Island, alongside the support of many incredible organisations and individuals from our community. We’ll be sharing more about the many hands behind the kaupapa over the coming days.

For now, it was a privilege to gather together and celebrate the opening of a kaupapa created for tamariki and whānau in Kirikiriroa.

17/08/2026

We were incredibly proud to support the inaugural National Māori Pickleball Tournament 2026 as a sponsor! 💚🏓

For us, kaupapa like this are about so much more than sport. They create spaces where tamariiki and rangatahi can be active with their whānau, connected and celebrating together, while experiencing the power of whanaungatanga, hauora and belonging.

When we invest in opportunities that strengthen whānau and communities, we are also investing in the environments our tamariki grow up in. Seeing generations come together in Napier for the very first National Māori Pickleball Tournament was something pretty special.

He tīmatanga noa iho — this is only the beginning 🌱

A huge mihi to Māori Pickleball New Zealand, the organisers, volunteers, players, supporters and whānau who brought this kaupapa to life. We are proud to support opportunities that help create strong whānau, connected communities and brighter futures for our tamariki.

🖤🤍 OUR BABIES OUT ON COURT🤍🖤

How awesome are these two! 🙌

Meet Te Rahui Borck, aged 10, representing Muaūpoko, and Michael Fryer, aged 10, representing Ngāti Tukorehe. Our youngest players of the day.

They played four games today, finishing with two wins and two losses ~ and absolutely loved every minute of being out on court! 🥹

This is what it’s all about ~ our rangatahi getting on court, giving it a go and enjoying the game. ❤️

Ka mau te wehi, boys! 👏🔥