Community Stories - Rātā Foundation

Mental health support through art

Ōtautahi Creative Spaces was established following the Christchurch earthquakes and is on a mission to reimagine the mental health system, placing access to creativity at the centre of their work.

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Creating space for Te Reo to thrive

Designed to bring Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) to life for preschoolers and strengthen connections to their whakapapa, renovations to the playground at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Kotahitanga Ki Waitaha have seen the space reimagined to become much more than just an environment for the 24 enrolled tamariki to learn Te Reo.

Strengthening the Sector

Engaging rangatahi back into active recreation

Rates of rangatahi youth participating in active recreation have fallen by six percent since Covid, according to research by Active NZ. Sport Tasman hopes to turn that statistic around with targeted approach programmes like Marlborough-based Ngahi Foha oe Moana Pasifika that link with the values and interests of young people and encourage them to go back into active recreation.

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Boccia’s popularity on the rise

For kiwis living with impairments, there are many barriers to participation in play, active recreation and sports. Boccia New Zealand is a Christchurch based organisation working to remove barriers for people of all ages, by promoting and delivering the sport of boccia nationwide.

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Supporting whānau in need

A Canterbury kaupapa Māori organisation is expanding its reach in communities of need as more people turn to its services for mental health and wellbeing support. When Purapura Whetu first opened its doors in 2002, Kaiwhakahaere Matua (Chief Executive) Karaitiana Tickell says they aspired to form “the best kaupapa Māori mental health services we could provide in communities.”

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The Buzz Around Nelson

A Nelson not-for-profit has become a hive of activities, supporting young people with disabilities to successfully transition from their school environment into the workforce. The Buzz, based in the Habitat for Humanity Hub in Tahunanui, is helping participants of its programme by providing practical advice and work experience in settings such as the onsite store, foodbank, and café.

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The “Mother of all Cleanups”

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand (CVNZ) is an environmental charity with a difference. The organisation aims to connect people to the natural environment through various conservation programmes and events. At the same time, it works to enhance the wellbeing of volunteers, delivering both environmental and social outcomes for the local community.

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Bringing traditional waka ama to Nelson

As waka ama grows in popularity throughout New Zealand, one Nelson club is proving age is no barrier to participating in the sport. Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club (Maitahi) held its 15th annual Tuna e Hoe Ana regatta in February, with close to 200 competitors enjoying time on the picturesque water of Lake Rotoiti. More than 75 years separated the youngest and oldest participants at the 2024 event.

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Gymnastics Nelson improves accessibility with renovated facility

Gymnastics Nelson is making sport and recreation more accessible to the community, recently unveiling their newly renovated space in the city. The upgraded Mosey Grayson Memorial Gymnastics Centre features an external lift and a fully accessible bathroom, ensuring ease of use for people in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility.

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Protecting Kaipūpū Sanctuary

Introduced pests pose a real threat to New Zealand, with the Department of Conservation (DOC) estimating that 25 million native birds are killed each year, and around 4000 native species are currently at risk. For staff and volunteers at Picton Dawn Chorus and Kaipūpū Sanctuary (Kaipūpū) at the top of the South Island, a shared vision to preserve the natural environment and protect native species for future generations is at the heart of their collaboration.

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Ōtautahi Māori Wardens step up as community need soars

One Ōtautahi organisation is stepping up to support those in the local community feeling the pinch of rising costs. During 2023, the Ōtautahi Māori Wardens were collecting, packing, and distributing up to 80 food parcels weekly, delivering any leftovers to local community pantries in East Christchurch. The Wardens' kaupapa of 'one parcel, one car' means those in need are offered immediate relief with weekly necessities, and they support as many people as possible with every delivery.

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A growing number of disabled New Zealanders turn to man’s best friend for support

A growing number of disabled New Zealanders are turning to man’s best friend for support with day-to-day activities many of us take for granted. One local organisation trying hard to keep up with demand and dramatically improve the lives of individuals with disabilities is the Canterbury branch of Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT).

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Supporting Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community by embracing Pasifika values

Moana Vā, Navigators of Pacific Pride (Moana Vā) is a new organisation dedicated to the needs of Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community. More than just a support group, the Moana Vā network is one of education and advocacy, helping individuals and their families to feel less isolated by providing opportunities to meet, learn, socialise, and build relationships through activities that encourage positive and safe connection.

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Satisfy Food Rescue ensures nothing goes to waste in a bid to support those in need

The festive season is supposed to be a time of celebration. But for an increasing number of Canterbury families, it has provided added stress as they struggle to make ends meet due to rising food and grocery costs. In Kaiapoi, North Canterbury, a team of nine dedicated staff and around 50 volunteers at Satisfy Food Rescue are ensuring nothing goes to waste...

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Papuni Boxing a hit with young people and their whānau in Christchurch

The recent Women’s Rugby and Football World Cups shone a bright light on female sport across the globe. Could boxing be the next sport to capture the imaginations of young wāhine in Aotearoa? If Addington-based boxing club Papuni Boxing Ōtautahi is anything to go by, the sport's popularity among female participants could be on the rise.

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Understanding what is going on “under the hood” critical to the success of Pasifika learners

Young Pacific learners consistently fall below the national average in literacy and numeracy. This is according to 2018 data from Stats New Zealand, which measures the reading, maths and science skills of fifteen-year-old students in Aotearoa. Fale Youth is a local organisation working hard to help bridge the gap in engagement and achievement for Pasifika youth who have been identified as ‘at-risk students’ in mainstream classes.

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Age and ability are no barrier as Adaptive Snowsports members enjoy time on the mountain

The sun has set on the 2023 ski season, and one local organisation is celebrating another successful year which has seen fifty-one people with disabilities given the opportunity to experience the thrill of alpine skiing. Adaptive Snowsports Canterbury supports people with a range of intellectual and physical disabilities to participate in snow sports on the picturesque mountains of Canterbury.

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Multicultural Centre supports a growing number of migrants to make Marlborough home

In Marlborough, one local organisation is supporting a growing number of former refugees and migrants in the region to feel more at home. The Marlborough Multicultural Centre in Blenheim offers support services and events for newcomers, designed to celebrate diversity, and foster a sense of belonging and cultural connection among migrant communities.

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Supporting generations of whānau to thrive in sport and recreation

Ōtautahi Sports Association is more than just a traditional sports club. Based in the central city, the organisation is strengthening its ties to the community and supporting generations of whānau to participate in sport and cultural activities.

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Tuvaluan culture takes centre-stage during Tuvalu Language Week 2023

The rich culture of the small Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu is being brought to life in Christchurch, as celebrations for Tuvalu Language Week take place in the city from 1-7 October.

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‘Not-So-Sports Club’ helping young women in Christchurch put their best foot forward

A Christchurch charity is on a mission to empower and upskill young women with a not-so-traditional approach to active recreation and sport.

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Dementia Canterbury supporting a growing number of New Zealanders to live well with dementia

Close to 70,000 New Zealanders are affected by dementia – the term for a number of brain conditions where symptoms affect memory and other brain functions. This figure is expected to increase to 170,000 by the year 2050.

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Sport Tasman delivers mana-enhancing projects for rangatahi across Te Tau Ihu and Kaikōura

Physical activity offers many benefits for young people, but rangatahi aren’t as active as they used to be. Te Tau Ihu-based Sport Tasman aims to change all that by delivering mana-enhancing projects in the region to give young people a voice in programme delivery and alignment with their values and interests.

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Magenta Creative Space calls for community support to help shift to a new studio

Magenta Creative Space is the only free, walk-in, fully-resourced arts studio in Nelson that provides a space for people experiencing mental distress, including at-risk youth, to socialise, feel accepted, express themselves creatively, and develop relationships with others facing similar challenges in a safe, non-institutional environment.

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Unique programme removing barriers to participation in sports for tamariki in Christchurch East

Joining a local sports team or club can be a life-changing experience for tamariki by setting them up with healthy habits at a young age. However, in New Zealand tamariki are not getting that experience with declining participation rates and barriers that prevent some of our young people from engaging in sports. Christchurch East-based Tamai Sports are bucking that trend by improving access to sports alongside inclusive and culturally centred opportunities to participate in the local community.

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Pacific values critical to supporting tamaiti in their transition to school

New research from Tātai Aho Rau CORE Education highlights that Pacific children's unique identities, languages, and cultures help support their transition from early learning services to school environments.

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Aotearoa's first purpose-built Youth Hub gets significant funding boost

The stage one construction of Aotearoa's first purpose-built Youth Hub has been significantly boosted with a $500,000 grant from the Rātā Foundation.

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Kaikōura becoming a 'go to' place for residents who want to learn

Te Hā o Mātauranga, Learning in Kaikōura has a dream – to make Kaikōura the 'go to' place for residents who want to learn.

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Fourteen new homes to support housing affordability in Nelson

A new Habitat for Humanity Nelson housing development in Stoke, Nelson, will provide immediate, affordable, and secure tenure to fourteen families needing housing.

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Iwi Emergency Containers supports first responder role of marae

Iwi across the top of the South Island are now well-equipped to be part of the official emergency management response in the event of a disaster.

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Critical conservation mahi continues to ramp up in Tasman and Nelson

Tasman Environmental Trust (TET) has been on a mission as they ramp up their conservation efforts in Te Tau Ihu.

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Tasman students adopting Nurseries in Schools with native seed bank project

The Tasman District's technology education hub teaches students to care for their local environment through hands-on plant restoration and sustainability efforts.

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First Climate Action Campus in New Zealand helps students take action

Climate Change has become a significant concern worldwide, especially for young people.

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Marlborough Community Foodbank meets an increasing community need

The demand for assistance from the Marlborough Community Foodbank continues to grow as the rising cost of living hits the region's households.

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Bringing basketball to all in Mako country

Basketball is "flying" in New Zealand as it continues to win the numbers game in New Zealand, with the sport's top official hailing the latest participation figures and promising even further growth in years to come.

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Supporting landscape-scale restoration

South Island’s largest funder Rātā Foundation has granted The Nature Conservancy (TNC) $754,007 to support the delivery of the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance (KMTT) strategy.

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Ngāti Kuia precious whakapapa immortalised in film project

The history, mahi, and relationships of Ngāti Kuia have been captured on film as part of a major documentary project assisted by funding from the Rātā Foundation.

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Generating a sustainable future for the Selwyn District

For more than 15 years, Rātā Foundation has supported a Canterbury environmental project that is helping the community contribute to a more sustainable future.

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One night a week farmers trade the paddock for the beach to improve mental health and well-being

One night each week over Summer, farmers trade the paddock for the beach in a ground-breaking learn to Surf programme – Surfing for Farmers.

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Selwyn Sports Trust breaking barriers to keep the community active

Enriching people’s lives and well-being through physical activity is the key motivator behind the Selwyn Sports Trust, which continues to grow in the Selwyn community.

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Makingtrax helps take ‘inclusive adventure’ to the world

Rātā has supported an inspiring company championing inclusive tourism in their mahi to improve access to outdoor adventure sports, which have traditionally been out of reach for many Kiwis and tourists with disabilities.

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Get on your bike to improve community wellness

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, an innovative community venture has helped more than 17,000 people to recycle and learn how to fix bikes for themselves and others.

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Bringing back the iconic whio to the Nelson Lakes district

A community-led project aimed at supporting the growth of the iconic whio or blue duck population in the Nelson Lakes and further protecting the area around the Rotoiti Nature Recovery project, which has kaka, kea, and kiwi populations, has been given a boost with nearly $209,000 in funding.

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Staying physically active for life starts at a young age

Thousands of North Canterbury children have been introduced to sporting activity programmes as soon as they start primary school, thanks to the efforts and dedication of the North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust (NCSRT) over almost four decades.

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Rātā Foundation assists SCAPE public art project, bringing history of Chinese market gardening to life

Two city market sites created exclusively by renowned artist Jacquelyn Greenbank provided valuable learning on the diverse history of Chinese market gardening and agriculture to students from schools across Christchurch over the SCAPE Public Art Season.

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White-flippered penguins a focus, as Blue Cradle puts marine education in the spotlight

The ocean is life. That is one message that the Blue Cradle Foundation is delivering to New Zealanders through its work and mission of making marine science more accessible to everyone. The Ōtautahi-based charitable trust, established in April 2020, focuses on advocacy, research expeditions, documentary filmmaking, and education for ocean literacy to get their message across.

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Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi is guiding Christchurch rangatahi into adulthood

It’s an important time in a person’s life when making the transition from adolescence to adulthood. For some people, this is a difficult time. However, one Christchurch organisation – Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi - is standing by to offer support and guidance.

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Construction industry focuses on reducing suicide rates

The construction industry has the highest rate of suicides, which is more than any industry in New Zealand – and this is an alarming statistic.

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An antidote to social isolation – it’s time to head to the shed

Many older men experience social isolation as they retire. The Halswell Menzshed offers the perfect antidote, providing a safe, welcoming place for them to put their well-honed DIY skills to work, fostering new friendships as a result.

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Helping to bridge the digital divide

In New Zealand’s race to be technological leader, the digital divide continues to grow. Separating those who have digital knowledge and access, with those who don’t.

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The arts should be at every young person’s fingertips

Every child in Canterbury should have access to theatre and be provided with an opportunity to express themselves creatively. It is a big goal, but one The Court Theatre is tackling head-on.

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Rugby League drives 2020 Pacific Series – but culture the point of difference

The fifth edition of the Rugby League Pacific Series, held in mid-November 2020, was the biggest yet, with rugby league driving the series, but a celebration of Pasifika culture adding the point of difference.

Strengthening the Sector