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Te Hoe Nuku Roa is a study which has enjoyed considerable iwi and Mäori support. In 2007 we were involved in a number of smaller iwi/Mäori research projects on specific areas such as health and reo.

Te Köhanga Tuatahi – Bringing Te Reo Mäori Back into the Home

Te Köhanga Tuatahi aimed to improve the amount of Mäori being spoken within the household. Te Köhanga Tuatahi was based on indications from our whänau across the motu that many parents would like to be learning more reo for use within the household, but that issues such as whakamä (shyness), not feeling comfortable in classroom environments, busy schedules, and the added pressure of tests and assignments often put people off.

With the help of visual guides like posters, booklets, and kupu cards (with Mäori on one side and English on reverse), supported by a translation and pronunciation CD and fortnightly visits from a mentor, our participating whänau were able to incorporate words and phrases into their daily household routines, learning at a pace that suited them within the comfort of their own home.

The majority of households reported a significant increase in the amount of reo being spoken, and a definite shift in the language relationship with their children. Useful feedback was also received about the effect of having to be self-motivated, as well as what types of resources worked best in different types of home environments.

Full report available here -

Te Kohanga Tuatahi Report

Turakina Smoking Cessation Project

Concern has been mounting for a number of years over smoking rates within young Mäori females, and studies have also shown that smoking habits increase significantly after only one year at school. The progressive approach of Turakina Mäori Girls College in addressing this issue has led to their participation in a smoking control program spearheaded by Public Health Whanganui District Health Board, Te Kötuku Hauora o Rangïtikei and Whakaue Research Services. Using the information you have given us, we have been able to get a ‘bigger’ picture of how many of us are smoking and whether this number is different depending on what school we went to, our whänau connections, and how this has changed over the years we have been coming to you. Also, drawing on the experience we have gained over the years in asking and analysing your information, we will be assisting in the analysis of the results of the smoking control program.