About Us
Ko Wai Mātou
Drawing from mātauranga Māori, we collaborate with kaupapa partners including whānau, health agencies, community groups and hapori advocates - both nationally and locally - to foster healthy, active lifestyles.We strive to elevate our whānau and hapori through mātauranga Māori, weaving ancestral wisdom into our kaupapa through Kori, Kai, Tākaro and Rangahau. This enables us to live, breathe and thrive as Māori.
Our Vision
Te Pai Tawhiti
Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora
Our whānau are healthy, active, and able to achieve their full potential.
Our Mission
Te Pae Tata
Mā te mātauranga tuku iho, ka tipu, ka ora, ka toi tangata e!
To unleash Mātauranga Māori concepts for all people to be healthy and active!
Whakapapa
In the 1980s, visionary Māori leaders such as Syd Jackson and Dr Papārangi Reid established a Māori health trust to address the alarming rates of heart disease among Māori. These leaders were instrumental in urging the National Heart Foundation to address the disproportionate impact of heart disease on Māori. Their efforts led to the creation of a dedicated Māori service, Te Hotu Manawa Māori.
Initially, Te Hotu Manawa Māori focused solely on heart health. However, as the organisation grew and the need for broader services became evident, it separated from the Heart Foundation in 1997 to become an independent charity. The expanded focus included rheumatic fever services, smoke-free and smoking cessation initiatives, and later, nutrition and physical activity programmes.
With new evidence and evolving needs, the sector continued to advance. By 2007, it was time for Te Hotu Manawa Māori to redefine its strategic direction. This evolution led to the birth of Toi Tangata, a social enterprise within the Te Hotu Manawa Māori Trust, dedicated to promoting holistic health and well-being through mātauranga Māori.

Our Business
Annual Review
Our Annual Reviews provide a summary of our major achievements over the past year. They highlight the areas where we have made significant impacts, showcase the progress we have achieved, and illustrate how we are advancing towards our long-term goals. These reviews are a reflection of our commitment to fostering healthy, active lifestyles through kaupapa Māori based approaches.
Annual Review 2023-2024
Strategic Plan