Help Make the Vision of Our Kaumatua (Elderly) a Reality

For nearly two decades, Kaumatua (elderly people) have gathered at a facility called “Te Puna o Te Ora” (“the spring of life”) to socially connect (whakawhanaungatanga) and regularly participate in the initiatives, programmes, events and services supporting health, education, recreation, welfare and housing needs of Kaumatua offered by the Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust.

Since opening in 1941, Te Puna o Te Ora celebrates 75 years of service to people from throughout Aotearoa during its history which has involved being:

• 1941 – 1970 - an accommodation facility for Maori moving in to Kirikiriroa from rural areas

• 1971 – 1990 - an accommodation and training centre for Trade Trainees.

• 1991 – 1997 – the facility for a residential alcohol and mental health service under Anchorage.

• 1998 – to date – the facility for a Kaumatua focussed service under Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust.

The Waikato Maori Hostel Society then led by Dr Hare Puke, a renowned Kaumatua gifted the land and assets of Te Puna o Te Ora to Rauawaawa on 30th May 2006.

Since taking up guardianship of Te Puna o Te Ora, Rauawaawa has with the support of many generous contributors completed partial upgrades to make the facility more suitable for Kaumatua.

This upgrade will bring the vision of Kaumatua to reality and be the last stage needed to make the 75 year old facility, completely Kaumatua-centred, accessibility friendly and significantly safer and warmer. It will also increase the capacity and capability of Rauawaawa to serve the increasing needs of a very fast growing Kaumatua community.

The Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust was established in 1997 by a group of Kaumatua that identified a need for Kaumatua culturally focussed and accessible health, social and community based activities and services. The overarching aim of Rauawaawa is to enhance the quality of life and well-being of Kaumatua. Rauawaawa is a ‘not for profit’, registered charity (CC20570) with donee status.

Our Kaumatua need your help to make their vision a reality.

Become part of the history that is “Te Puna o Te Ora”, Be a change maker like those before us, Be a hero for those that have been the heroes of many others (our Kaumatua) just because you can!

Any and all support is greatly appreciated.