Kia ora e te whānau!
Haere mai to the second newsletter of our Te Hekenga Whaiora wellbeing programme, a collaboration between rangatahi, Early Intervention Service Wellington, Nuku Ora, and our research team spread between Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka/University of Otago and Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington. This newsletter offers an insight into the journey, activities, and organisations the rangatahi chose to engage with in the programme.
Week 3: Eating Well – Well Fed
This session provided rangatahi with the opportunity to explore the vital connection between kai and wellbeing. Discussions focused on where kai comes from, its nourishing qualities, and the importance of cooking in daily life.
Amanda and Kim from WellFed led a two-part practical workshop, guiding rangatahi through planning, nurturing, and harvesting crops in portable containers. Rangatahi selected from a variety of leafy greens and herbs to cultivate. The hands-on experience continued in the kitchen, where rangatahi engaged in an educational and enjoyable sushi-making activity. This helped build practical skills and confidence in preparing healthy meals.
Week 4: Moving Well – Tū Mātau Ora
Led by Tū Mātau Ora, this session emphasized movement through tākaro Māori (traditional Māori games). Rangatahi explored forms of movement that feel good to them and discussed how physical activity contributes to their overall wellbeing. We made some awesome poi toa (fighting poi, see picture) and went on to use them on the court (in a friendly way!).
Week 5: My Spaces and Places
On a glorious sunny day at Innermost Gardens, our research team member Josie and Megan from League of Live Illustrators guided rangatahi in mapping significant spaces and places in their lives. Using stickers and post-it notes, participants expressed their connections to these locations. Josie then led a hīkoi where rangatahi used disposable film cameras to capture images of elements they found supportive of their wellbeing. We were even greeted by a kākā! Inspired by the session, some rangatahi chose to continue exploring their surroundings through photography, documenting their journeys in personal workbooks.
Week 6: Encountering Tangaroa
The programme moved to Octopus HQ at Tapu Te Ranga/Island Bay, where Dr Victor and Sean facilitated an introductory kōrero about Wellington’s marine ecosystems. The rangatahi met the local marine life and experienced the “touch gently” pool at the Bait House Aquarium. This was followed by a walk along the south coast – the sun made an appearance once more! This immersive experience deepened their understanding of the animals inhabiting Wellington’s marine environment.
Week 7: Freshwater Environment
Roni from Mountains to Sea guided rangatahi on a bush walk around Battle Hill Forest Farm Park. Participants met local tuna (eels) and collected macroinvertebrates (insects) from the stream. They identified the diverse species they collected and discovered how the presence (or absence) of certain types indicated the health of freshwater ecosystems. Our testing concluded the stream was very healthy and the rangatahi had great time connecting to te awa – some even got their feet wet!
Keep your eyes peeled for future newsletters, and feel free to reach out to the team at moving-with-psychosis@otago.ac.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Tīma ō Te Hekenga Whaiora
Moving With Psychosis 