Ngāi Te Rangi brings whanau together to showcase health and education choices

Evejah Maihi, 2, plays with the giant Connect Four with mum Mereana Waikato at Ngai Te Rangi's Whanau Day. Photo / George Novak

There were games and healthy treats to keep the kids entertained and stall holders providing information for the adults at Whareroa Marae grounds yesterday.

Ngāi Te Rangi's Whanau Day attracted people of all ages which was pleasing to organisers.

Ngareta Timutimu, manager of education at Ngāi Te Rangi, said it was the first time the event had been held.

"It's about showing whanau what education and health providers are out there, telling whanau 'These opportunities are there for you'."

Timutimu said the day was also about providing whanau with something fun to do for the school holidays.

"We're providing whanau with a day where they can occupy their children for free. It can add up for families who want to take their kids to the cinema and things like that," Timutimu said.

Two-year-old Evejah Maihi was enjoying playing with a giant Connect Four and playdough while her mum, Mereana Waikato, checked out the stalls.

"Today's been awesome, with all the activities there are for the kids to do and the providers that are here. They are all to do with health and wellbeing," she said.

Waikato said it was a "bonus" that it was all for free.

One of the services on offer was the B4 School Check, which provided free health checks to 4-year-olds.

Sue Tucker, B4 School Check nurse, said there was a lot of interest from families wanting to find out about the free service.

"We check on children before they start school, everything from their learning and motion to hearing and vision.

"We've had heaps and heaps of people interested in our service and it's been great to interact with other health and education providers," Tucker said.

Reon Tuanau, Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi's resource management unit manager said the fun-filled day was about bringing the community together.

"We are promoting safety around the water and home but balancing it out with fun things to do. It's about bringing our people together," Tuanau said.

What providers were there?
-Fire and Emergency New Zealand
-Safer Boating NZ
-Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
-University of Waikato
-Hāpainga Stop Smoking Service
-Plunket
-Tauranga City Council
-B4 School Check