HEART is HERE!

Twinkling like little stars the children waited patiently in line to get their face painted at the Ruapotaka Marae.   The Marae and its surrounding reserve were filled with festivity and lights to celebrate Matariki.  Matariki is the word given to clusters of stars that rise in midwinter and herald, the New Year. 

Healthy Relationships in Tāmaki

During this period HEART (Healthy Relationships in Tāmaki) activates the Marae every year to coincide with the Matariki Trail event at the Maybury reserve.   The smells of hot soup filled the Marae, and families came together to share this unique experience as a community.   The community enjoyed hot soup, milo, and a warm safe place for their children to play and draw. There was an innovative booth created for families to create a family photo to enter into a prize draw, live art activity for children, and information on the Kaupapa of HEART. 

Art Exhibition

The walls were decorated with a unique community art exhibition displaying artwork from Tamaki Primary, Pt. England Kindergarten and Primary, Glenn Innes Kindergarten, and local artists, Paul Satele.  This was one of Paul’s first community exhibitions and gave him an opportunity to connect with lots of people. Artist Han Nae Kim also displayed the work she had created with the community and one of her pieces. 

In midst of all this vibrancy and crowds, the HEART volunteers made sure the kitchen ran smoothly and that everyone was made to feel welcome and comfortable. 

HEART

The HEART Movement works to promote positive healthy relationships and prevent family violence. Our vision is a community where loving, safe, and supportive relationships are created and nurtured.

The HEART MOVEMENT is grown by the HEART Facilitators, who are volunteers working in their own natural environments to create reflective and meaningful conversations that support us to change social norms and build healthy and safe environments.  The HEART member organizations, HEART families, and HEART Practitioners work along-side the HEART Facilitators to reach our vision.