About Us
MŌ MĀTOU
TE WAIATA O TE WHĀNAU ĀWHINA
Ko au, he manu, ka tū ka rere mai
He tau, he taunga, ka hoki mai anō
Kia a rite ki te āwhina, aue
Ngā tāonga aroha
Hei mau-ngā-ringa
Mo tenei reanga.
Me, I am a bird, upright and able to fly
I am able to see (to gain perspective), a place to gather
(an anchorage - place of sustenance), so I return
Ready and willing to give support, to contribute
(With) compassion and sincerity
To hold and share these gifts of our ancestors
With this generation.
ABOUT ĀWHINA WHĀNAU SERVICES
He waka eke noa — We are all in this together
Āwhina Whānau Services exists to strengthen the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau. Rooted in Kaupapa Māori principles, we provide culturally-grounded, trauma-informed support, helping our people to heal, grow, and thrive.
Our team walks alongside whānau with compassion, manaakitanga, and deep respect for each person's journey.
KAUPAPA
OUR VISION
TE WAWATA
OUR MISSION
‘Ki a Tū Rangatira ai te tū o te Tangata, kia toitū te mana o te whānau, o te hapū me te iwi Māori’
Constructing calm, instilling confidence, Inspiring whānau
‘Ki a rite ki te Āwhina, hei mau I ngā taonga aroha mō tēnei rēanga’
Revitalising the mauri of whānau, empowering self determination
NGĀ TŪMANAKO
OUR VALUES
Tika – value and safeguard the Mana & Tapu of all tangata, whānau and hapū
Pono – nurture the integrity of our kaupapa in all aspects of our mahi
Aroha – cultivate an environment of calm & consideration for all Te Whānau Āwhina
OUR STORY
Āwhina Whānau Services was founded in the mid-1980s by Anihana Daly, a visionary leader deeply rooted in her Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu heritage. Inspired by her family's tradition of caring for others, Anihana began her journey in nursing before turning her focus to supporting wāhine and tamariki impacted by trauma and violence. Guided by kaupapa Māori principles, Anihana’s vision was to create a sanctuary that nurtured the wairua, restored mana, and strengthened whānau.
Through her passion for psychotherapy and kaupapa Māori practices, Anihana opened her home as a sanctuary to wāhine and tamariki seeking safety and healing from the impacts of trauma. She later expanded her work through partnerships with Women’s Refuge and the creation of Tāngata Piringa (Māori Women’s Refuge). Her approach blended alternative therapies with cultural traditions like karakia, waiata, and whakawhanaungatanga.
In 1995, Āwhina Counselling Service was formally established as an independent organisation, extending its support to include tāne and rangatahi. As the needs of the community grew, so too did the organisation’s reach, with a name change in 2003 to Āwhina Whānau Services to reflect a broader range of therapies beyond counselling.
Following a brief pause in 2014, a new governance board and the backing of funders ensured Āwhina Whānau Services future. Since then, the organisation has continued to grow — rebranding in 2017, moving to larger premises in 2019 being nationally recognised for its service during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Āwhina expanded to Ahuriri Napier, responding to the increased mental health needs after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Today, Anihana’s moemoeā remains at the heart of everything we do: empowering whānau, restoring wellbeing, and upholding the mana of our people through kaupapa Māori approaches. Anihana’s life was defined by resilience, aroha, and an unshakeable commitment to restoring mana within her community. Today, Āwhina Whānau Services continues her legacy, supporting not only wāhine and tamariki but also rangatahi and tāne, always honouring the spirit and vision she set in motion.
The Living Whāriki of Āwhina
Āwhina Whānau Services is supported by a collective of rōpū known as Te Pā Harakeke o Āwhina, each drawing on the symbolism of the harakeke to reflect our values, responsibilities, and intergenerational care.
Te Onemata (Governance Board) provides strategic direction and stability, like fertile soil that nurtures growth.
Te Korari (Leadership Team) represents growth and guidance, ensuring the delivery and integrity of our services.
Te Awhi Rito (Adult Team) offers protection and support to pakeke, reflecting the outer leaves that shelter and sustain the rito.
Te Rito (Tamariki and Rangatahi Team) centres tamariki and taiohi — the heart of the harakeke — as vital to the wellbeing of the whānau.
Te Muka (Administration & Support Team) embodies the woven threads that bind and support our daily operations and relationships.
Together, these teams form the living whāriki (woven mat) of Āwhina — interconnected, resilient, and deeply rooted in kaupapa Māori.
OUR SERVICES
We offer a diverse range of therapeutic services for tamariki, rangatahi, and adults—supporting healing at every stage of life.
Our approach includes whānau-focused support and advocacy, school-based wellbeing programs, and cultural healing grounded in pūrākau (storytelling), waiata (song), te taiao (the natural world), and mahi toi (creative expression). Rooted in te ao Māori, we walk alongside you to nurture holistic wellbeing, resilience, and belonging.