Mihi
Hawke’s Bay is a community rich in strength, connection and care for one another.
Every day our people show aroha ; in the way we supportwhānau, stand alongside and face challenges together.
And yet, we also know many in our community continue to walk difficult journeys with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. These are not challenges any one service can solve alone – it takes a collective community effort. At Whatever It Takes, our mission is simple “walking with whānau to wellness and without judgement”.
Guided by our values of whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga, aroha, courage, and manaakitanga, we are committed to standing alongside our people, not ahead of them, and not behind them.
The Mahi Tahi Expo is an expression of this commitment. It brings together community and services – to share knowledge and strengthen connections to ensure whānau know where to turn when support is needed. It is also an opportunity to listen, learn, and understand, so we can respond together. Mahi Tahi means working together as one – we know real, lasting change comes from shared action, not isolated effort.
There is a whakataukī that speaks to this whakaaro:
Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati.
“When reeds stand alone they are vulnerable, but together they are unbreakable.”
This is what today represents, mahi tahi in action. A community coming together, walking alongside one another, for the wellbeing of all.
Ngā Mihi
