The stories shared in this video give a wonderful insight into the place, the times and most importantly the people that have been part of the history of Te Puna o Te Ora.
Opened in 1941, this facility named "Te Puna o Te Ora" has served people from across Aotearoa for 77 years. It was a residential facility for Maori coming from the rural areas for work (1941 - 1970), a trade training facility for Maori (1971 - 1990), a facility for residential alcohol and mental health services under Anchorage (1991 - 1997) and from 1998 to date a facility for a Kaumatua (elders) focussed service under Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust. After much investment and work by the Kaumatua founders of Rauawaawa, The Waikato Maori Hostel Society then led by Dr Hare Puke, gifted the land and assets of Te Puna o Te Ora to Rauawaawa on 30th May 2006.
Kindly funded by the JR Mckenzie Trust and filmed by Garth Watene of Waiora Productions.