ABOUT US

Anihana uplifted her tangata whai ora in many ways using psychotherapy as well as a range of alternative therapies. She was also passionate about ensuring her practices included cultural customs of karakia, mihimihi, whakawhanaungatanga and waiata. She attracted and formed lifelong relationships with many wāhine toa whose practices and values aligned with her own.

Anihana had four sons, Shane, Tipene (known as Tip), Darron and the late Michael, all of whom she cherished and loved dearly. She also had another great love in her life, Sean Manning, who was also by her side in the last days of her life.

Anihana is fondly remembered as having an eccentric zest for life. She embraced adventures, had a love of the outdoors, nature, travel, fun, laughter and treasured relationships with those who filled her kete.

Anihana's journey with Āwhina Whānau Services was marked by both challenges and triumphs, shaping a narrative of resilience and growth. Her impact continues to resonate deeply within the community, extending beyond its original focus on wāhine and tamariki to encompass rangatahi and tāne as well. Her enduring vision to nurture Māori culture and restore mana to the people remains steadfast and everlasting.

ANIHANA DALY’S STORY

The founder of Āwhina Whānau Services

With heartfelt recognition, we honour the memory of Anihana Daly, the visionary founder of Āwhina Whānau Services. Anihana's legacy is deeply rooted in her Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu heritage, reflecting the spiritual essence of her mana whenua.

Anihana came from a whānau with a strong tradition of caring for others. With many whānau members working in healthcare, it was no surprise that she decided to pursue a career in nursing, but she soon felt compelled to expand her horizons. As she witnessed the profound impact of trauma stemming from sexual and family violence within her community, Anihana recognised the urgent need to create a safe haven for wāhine and tamariki.

She was among the pioneering students of the Women in Therapy program, led by Marilyn Morgan in Hawke’s Bay. This experience ignited her passion for psychotherapy, leading her to play a pivotal role in organising marae-based training for aspiring psychotherapists.

Āwhina Whānau Counselling was established in the mid-1980s as a Kaupapa Māori organisation dedicated to serving Māori wāhine and tamariki. This initiative emerged as a Māori-focused

response to address social, physical, and psychological distress within the community. The organisation’s infancy involved Anihana generously opening her home as a sanctuary for tangata whai ora. For Anihana, her space was a refuge for anyone in need, whether it involved empowering them to become community leaders or supporting those who had endured trauma inflicted by family members.

As Anihana's involvement in the community deepened, she frequently opened her doors to provide refuge for tamariki and wāhine. When her kāinga became too small to accommodate her whānau as well as tangata whai ora, she acquired two neighbouring whare to support her tautoko of wāhine and tamariki.

Her growing involvement eventually led to her affiliation with Women’s Refuge in 1989, which she managed in partnership with her grandmother. Following her time with Women’s Refuge, Anihana felt a strong sense of duty towards her people. This conviction led her to co-create Tangata Piringa (Māori Women’s Refuge), offering a sanctuary specifically tailored to the needs of wāhine. Despite facing backlash and protests from some members of the community against the refuge, Anihana remained steadfast in her commitment and unwavering vision. She was staunch in her demeanour, always standing up for what she believed was the right thing to do.