EMPOWERING MĀORI CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ASPIRATIONS SO THAT OUR WHĀNAU CAN FLOURISH
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About Why Ora
Why Ora is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Taranaki. We work across the community to empower Māori career and employment aspirations so that our whānau can flourish!
We work with taiohi and whānau to identify their aspirations and turn them into meaningful and rewarding career paths.
Why Ora was founded as a collaborative partnership to support Māori workforce development. The Trust was formally established in 2010 as Whakatipuranga Rima Rau Trust, with representation from the Taranaki District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora Taranaki), the Ministry of Social Development, and the iwi of Taranaki through Te Whare Pūnanga Kōrero Trust (now transitioning to the Iwi-Māori Partnership Board).
Working with our whānau our mahi is focused in three main areas:
Tūhononga – Connections
Tū is to strengthen, hononga is to bring or join together. Bringing people together, strengthening relationships and connecting our whānau to information, networks and opportunities.Weaving together our connections for the greater vision of flourishing whānau.
Manaakitanga – Support
Whānau are at the core of what we do – supporting and nurturing our whānau on their career journeys. For example, by providing support and mentoring through our Manaaki Oranga.
Umanga – Careers
Assisting taiohi and whānau to explore and experience meaningful careers. Supporting our whānau on their career journeys – we connect people to career pathways. We focus on health and education careers, however – we can also connect people to other training and career paths that interest them.
Explore and start your career
Why Ora works with Māori of all ages. Search below to learn more about potential careers in health, education and more!
Keen to find out more?
Find out how we can help you. We would love to korero with you.
Get in touch to kōrero with us.
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Why Ora
Empowering Māori to fulfil their employment and career aspirations so that our whānau can flourish
Koanga is here – and so is our latest newsletter! ![]()
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This spring edition is packed with inspiring stories of growth, connection and manaakitanga. ![]()
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Highlights include: ![]()
Pūhoro STEMM Academy launch in Taranaki![]()
Waikato Uni trip with our taiohi![]()
Pūtaiao Expo sparking curiosity![]()
A powerful intergenerational health career journey![]()
Creative reflections and new faces joining our Why Ora whānau![]()
We’re proud to share the mahi and moments that help our whānau flourish. ![]()
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Read our full newsletter here: www.whyora.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Newsletter-Issue-29-2025-Final.pdf
Funding partners who work with us
