Ruben and Fallon Hauraki are hard-to-reach community leaders who have established a papakainga on their whānau land to support whānau to address methamphetamine and alcohol addiction and live healthy lives. The papakainga comprises the family home, nine cabins, and is based just out of Ruatoria on a large site backing onto the ngahere.
The initiative is based on Ruben and Fallon’s own lived experience of addiction and what worked for them. The kaupapa emphasises connection to te taiao with learning activities to support health and self-sufficiency, including rongoā, hunting and fishing, and maintaining a large mara kai. The papakainga runs continuously throughout the year as whānau transition in and out at different times based on their individual and whānau progress and needs. Wānanga to upskill, educate, and support whānau health and wellbeing are delivered by organisations such as E Tu Whānau and Mauria Te Pono Trust to supplement the daily activities on the papakainga. In addition to facilitating and managing the papakainga the initiative provides outreach support to whānau struggling with addiction in the community. Funding will support the running cost of the papakainga, including an emergency fund for whānau and petrol costs, and assist with streamlining the financial and business processes to optimise its impact and reach and reduce burnout. Te Kakano Development will mentor Ruben and Fallon to support the sustainability of the initiative, including identifying and upskilling emerging leaders to enhance the community’s capacity to support and care for one another.
