Whānau Ora Day 2025 was a huge success for Hospice Whanganui, bringing together hundreds of people at Springvale Stadium for a day filled with kaupapa, whānau, and aroha.
Our Hospice Whanganui team ran an inviting, hands-on stall that quickly became a hub of activity. Thanks to the generosity of Nelda, who donated plants from home, and Anna, who organised native trees from the Whanganui Prison Nursery, we had almost 100 plants to gift to the community — all gone within the first two hours!
Throughout the day we heard beautiful stories from whānau living off their whenua, sharing knowledge about rongoā and sustainable living. Many spoke about expanding or starting their own māra (gardens), and it was inspiring to see how health-conscious and curious our community is about the medicinal benefits of native plants.
Alongside the plants, our art activity was a big hit. With supplies kindly donated by Teri, tamariki spent the day creating bright, joy-filled masterpieces that will soon decorate the halls of Hospice Whanganui. The activity also created space for meaningful kōrero with parents and whānau while their tamariki were happily engaged — supported by two wonderful teenage helpers who kept the art area running smoothly.
It was a stunning day of connection, culture, and community spirit — and a powerful reminder of why we do the mahi we do.
A big thank-you to Te Oranganui for hosting such a vibrant event and bringing our community together through kaupapa, whānau, and aroha.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who helped make the day such a success, from those who volunteered on the stall to those who supported behind the scenes.
