Healing & Strengthening

Healing & Strengthening is a kaupapa that runs through all SASWB mahi. It seeks to shift energy upstream, recognising that transformation happens when whaanau have the conditions to heal and grow. It draws on the Te Tokotoru model — acknowledging tinana, wairua, and whaanau dimensions of wellbeing.

Insights From Whaanau:

Healing is Rest, connection, whakapapa, and dignity.

  • Movement to stillness

  • Connecting with te taiao and tupuna

  • Whaanau are best placed to heal whaanau

Strengthening is Contribution, leadership, and intergenerational support.

  • Leading, contributing, and being heard

  • Strengthening parents strengthens tamariki

  • Early years and intergenerational focus

Learning Purpose

  • Understand what healing and strengthening looks like outside crisis response.

  • Map tamariki and rangatahi insights across the ecology.

  • Apply learning to shift SASWB energy 80% to healing/prevention, 20% to response.

System Change Opportunities

  • Reduce spending on crisis response by increasing early support.

  • Realign contracts to allow time-rich, relationship-based work.

  • Empower local healing spaces and agency leaders to create enabling conditions that support them.

  • Activate through existing models and Board systems.

Healing & Strengthening