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Wānanga Learning

Training

Whānau supporters are at the heart of everything we do. We offer learning opportunities for everyone who support whānau in Aotearoa.

By putting and at the centre, we aim to create safe spaces where everyone feels connected and supported to learn from each other.

Mā te kimi ka kite, mā te kite ka mōhio, mā te mōhio ka mārama!

Seek and discover, discover and know, know and become enlightened!
Facilitator leading a training session in a room full of people
Facilitator leading a training session in a room full of people

A big part of our approach is working with communities to create learning opportunities for their own whānau supporters in ways that work best for them.

Kaupapa includes:

  • being a village
  • conscious parenting
  • the power of play
  • te hinengaro mīharo – the amazing brain
  • tīpuna parenting
  • wellbeing.

Building a village of learners

Soon more spaces will be added to the mix, with a greater focus on and indigenous parenting approaches.

Learning will be offered in a variety of ways, including ā-rorohiko (online). There's also funding available to support community-led and spaces for supporters to play, learn and grow.

Find out about funding

These opportunities are accessible to anyone with a genuine desire to help tamariki thrive, so whether you're an aunty, uncle, nannie or someone who just wants to help your community, get in touch. We'd love to kōrero with you.

Contact us about learning

Tākai Kōrero webinars and online workshops

A new series of webinars and online workshops, Tākai Kōrero, provides opportunities to listen, learn and connect with other whānau supporters across Aotearoa.

June 2022: Mātauranga Māori – reawakening DNA

Deb Rewiri, Elizabeth Emere Harte, Dina Awarau and Maraea Teepa discuss mātauranga Māori and how this can be used to support whānau and tamariki to reawaken their DNA.

Recording of Mātauranga Māori – reawakening DNA webinar

August 2022: Ngā tohu whānau – the 6 principles

Lynette Archer, Jason Tiatia, Anna Mowat and Lily Chalmers discuss ngā tohu whānau – the 6 things children need to grow up to be happy and capable adults.

Recording of ngā tohu whānau – the 6 principles webinar

October 2022: Te ao tākaro – the power of play

Crystal Pekepo, Nikki Penetito-Hemara, Liz Neill and Deb Rewiri explore creating around play, building whānau rituals and why play is important for everyone.

Recording of te ao tākaro – the power of play webinar

December 2022: Aroha in action – keeping mokopuna safe

Anthony-Quinn Cowley, Tampy Bernard and Tautoko Ratu share how they support whānau to build their village during the summer period and have courageous conversations about mokopuna safety.

Recording of aroha in action – keeping mokopuna safe webinar

Aroha in Action Family Start Hui

Aroha in Action Family Start Hui 2023 was a full-day online hui for Family Start whānau workers. Experienced kaikōrero and practitioners who work with whānau, specialising in family violence and sexual violence shared their knowledge focused on strengthening, responding and healing.

This hui was part of our mahi to support Family Start whānau workers across Aotearoa, a key step to deliver Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence.

Watch recordings from the hui

Previous SKIP modules

Tākai is the evolution of SKIP (Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents), which offered a number of downloadable learning modules for whānau supporters. Over time these modules will be refreshed and made available in new formats.

Module 1: Conscious parenting

This module explores conscious parenting – what it is and the five stages of change.

Conscious parenting module [PDF, 839 KB]

Module 2: Child development and behaviour

This module is used by supporters of parents and caregivers to look at a child's stage of growth and development and how their behaviour is affected by this.

Child development and behaviour module [PDF, 995 KB]

Module 3: The six principles of effective discipline

This module discusses and reviews the six principles of effective discipline – love and warmth, talking and listening, guidance and understanding, limits and boundaries, consistency and consequences, and a structured and secure world.

Six principles of effective discipline module [PDF, 1 MB]