The E Tipu E Rea Whānau was established following the successful implementation of a teen parent project at Auckland Women’s Centre. This project highlighted the need for an independent, Auckland-based teen parent service.
We began as Thrive, officially established in 2011 to support, advocate for, and empower teen parents in West and Central Auckland.
The journey to becoming the E Tipu E Rea Whānau came about because of the belief in upholding the mana and hauora of young Māori – and with the support of iwi and kaumatua, we embedded a kaupapa Māori approach to support the health and social needs of young whānau from all backgrounds.
We now work across the Auckland region and hold a special relationship with Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust. Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust values greatly the work we undertake with mātua taiohi, hapū mama and their tamariki. Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust also wants to see all young whānau in Tāmaki thriving.
Ngāti Pāoa holds a historical relationship with spaces and places in Tāmaki Makaurua. Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Whātua Orakei have signed a Kawenata to work together to establish and support each other’s lead interests in Tāmaki. Pāoa ki uta, Pāoa ki tai, Pāoa ki tua o te pae o Matariki.
E Tipu E Rea and Ngāti Pāoa see the work we undertake as a movement that brings young hapū māmā, mātua taiohi and their tamariki together; we want you to be part of our work; you are the E Tipu E Rea Whānau.
E Tipu E Rea, meaning “to grow and to thrive” from a kōrero by Ta Apirana Ngata, encompasses our kaupapa on three levels:
- Whānau: Supporting hapū māmā, mātua taiohi, and their tamariki to gain the tools and skills to fulfil their potential, build on their hauora and strengthen as a whānau. Individual and systemic advocacy is also part of our whānau tautoko.
- Whakapapa: Encouraging mātua taiohi and hapū māmā to reconnect with their hapū, their whenua and their whakapapa because this has an immeasurable impact on their hauora wairua.
- Te Ao: International teen pregnancy rates are most represented by indigenous peoples, and a colonial stigma victimises and sidelines teen mothers as an economic problem. Our kaupapa is to dismantle that stigma by helping mātua taiohi enact their rangatiratanga.
