Welcome to Whānau Mārama Parenting

We believe parents have the power to transform our world for the better

Whānau Mārama Parenting is a well-established, community-based organisation who is fully committed to, and passionate about reducing the statistics of child abuse and family violence on the North Shore, Auckland. Our focus in on heightening awareness and understanding of parental behaviour that leads the perpetuation of abuse in the family.

We do this well, through the delivery of proven high quality, practical, results-based, multicultural parenting courses presented to parents and their extended whānau, friends and support persons. Those attending our courses learn new ways to positively connect with their children and other family members by using non-punitive skills and strategies, thus creating strong, respectful relationships that will be perpetuated through the generations.

Our mission is to be a respected, dynamic organisation through developing and delivering high quality practical and effective courses for parents.

Parents attending the courses frequently share with us about the many positive changes taking place in their whānau as they put into practice what they learn.

Our goal is to not only impact the lives of the children whose parents attend the course, but the surrounding families and to see a generational change, that the children that benefited from our course would go on to become confident loving parents.

DOWNLOAD A PRESENTATION ABOUT US (PDF)

Our Parenting Courses Programme

Our programme is dedicated to parenting in positive manner and is taught in English, Korean and Mandarin. It is written from within a bicultural framework that honours the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori culture and sits within the wider area of primary prevention of family harm.

We work consistently to empower parents of all cultures with practical skills and strategies on how to effectively discipline their children without resorting to punishment, how to establish mutually respectful loving parent-child relationships, and how to successfully help their children learn what they wish to teach them.

Our three core courses are specially designed for different age groups, from new-born through to teenage years. The courses are parent-goal focused and skill and strategy based. All the parents are encouraged to move towards achieving their goals by practicing these discipline strategies each week at home with their children.

The courses are delivered by using PowerPoint presentations, large group and small group discussions, brainstorms, active learning exercises, the provision of handout pages and having a weekly sharing time about previously learned strategies, specifically the Home Learning tasks from previous week.

We honour the spirit of the Treaty and use it as a basis for our organisation.
Article 1. We have Maori representation in our organisation through our Kaumatua, our board and volunteer team.
Article 2. We believe that we can empower all our participants with their own Tino Rangatiratanga (Self Determination) over their destiny to parent in a positive way.
Article 3. We make our courses available to parents of all cultures as we are all equal and people of the land.

It empowers us to aim high.  We believe in honesty, openness and fairness.
We endeavor to demonstrate these values within our team, in our courses and in the wider community.  To do this we create fantastic resources, consider our course content to be a living, dynamic document, that is continually edited and updated, and strive continually to maintain high standards in course delivery and in all our professional relationships.

We endeavor to demonstrate what we believe, in all aspects of our daily lives. Our zeal for positive parenting permeates (spreads or flows throughout) every aspect of our work.

Te Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)
We open and close the learning environment with our own tikanga, (Karakia, poem or saying) and we honour the spiritual diversity of all the parents who attend our courses.

Te Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)
We provide a safe learning environment and healthy kai.

Te Taha Hinengaro (Emotional Wellbeing) –
We encourage participants to work with a support person who attends alongside them.

Te Taha Whanau (Family Wellbeing)
We believe that each Whānau member is a star with powerful potential to radiate and receive aroha.

Meet Our Whānau

Dan Walker

Chairperson/Board Director

Sue Heathwaite

Secretary/Board Director

Cameron Vos

Board Director

Tamati Ihaka

Board Director

Edith Yi

Board Director

Elizabeth Cameron

Manager and Programme Coordinator

Haiying Dong

Mandarin Programme Coordinator
and Social Worker

Betty Bae

Course Facilitator

Jumi Lee

Course Facilitator

Na Wei

Course Facilitator

Nadin Ismail

Course Facilitator

Suzie Chung

Course co-facilitator

Gabriel Taranto

Course co-Facilitator
and Illustrator/Graphic Designer

Katy Han

Social Work Student on Placement

Edith Yi

Volunteer

Julia Kim

Volunteer

Jill

Volunteer

Katie Milina

Volunteer

Shadia

Volunteer

Yimo Wang

Volunteer

Dolly

Volunteer

Jojo

Volunteer

Peipei

Volunteer

Jeongmin

Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Whānau Mārama mean?

A: Whānau Mārama means the family of the skies or family of light or learning.

 

Q: How can I know if I am in the proper course?

A:  You are most welcome to ask. However, as a guide the Positive Discipline for under 4’s course is most suitable for parents with children from birth to 4 years, the Effective Discipline course is most suitable for parents with children aged from 4 years to 11 years and the Parenting Adolescents course is most suitable for parents with adolescents aged from 11 years to 15 years.

 

Q: Can I bring my children to the course I will attend?

A: Yes, but there are certain requirements which will be discussed with you. However, parents tend to find it easier to participate if they are able to find suitable child care.

 

Q: Could I attend to just study though I don’t have any children yet or have adult children?

A: Yes, however you need to bear in mind that this is a course about parenting and the type of certificate you will receive is not designed to be an employment qualification.

 

Q: Is there any place to park?

A: There is limited parking off street and sometimes parking on side of street is also difficult to find. However, if you arrive early enough there should not be a problem.

 

Q: How should I pay?

A: You can pay by internet banking into Whānau Mārama Parenting’s account 030285 0315750 00 and add your name as reference or you can pay by cash.

 

Q: What if my English is not sufficiently fluent to attend the courses, can I have some help?

A: You will need to bring a support person, who is a fluent English speaker, with you to all the sessions. This person will not have to pay the course fee as they attend for your support and assistance. If you do not know someone who could be your support person, please discuss this with us as we may be able to help.

 

Q: Is there anything I should bring to the course?

A: An eagerness to learn and willingness to make positive change in your family/whānau.

 

Q: Where exactly is the course training room?

A: Behind the house at 4 Locket Road (off Archers Road Glenfield).

 

Q: Do I receive a certificate on completion of course?

A: Yes. A certificate of participation.

 

Q: Can I get morning tea or a short break during the middle of the course?

A: We always provide yummy healthy food during the break.

 

Q. Do you only have daytime courses?

A. Parenting Adolescents (in English) Course is an evening course from 6:30pm-9:00pm.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

Terms & Conditions

This agreement sets out the terms and conditions that apply to the use by you of Whānau Mārama Parenting website and any other subscription product or service offered for loan or sale on any interactive online service operated by Whānau Mārama Parenting.

This website is owned and run by Whānau Mārama Parenting (Auckland), a registered charity which provides positive parenting courses to parents and caregivers of all ages and ethnicities.

These terms apply to the entire contents of this site.  By viewing and using the site you will be deemed to agree to these terms.

You agree not to:

(a)  damage, interfere with or harm the Site or any network or system underlying or connected to them, or attempt to do so; or
(b)  use a robot or other automated means to access the Site or information featured on it for any purpose.

We may revise these terms at any time.

Any requested cancellations or refunds will be made at the discretion of Whānau Mārama Parenting.

1- An individual can claim a tax credit for their income tax for donations of $5 or more.
2- Companies can claim for donations, however donations can’t exceed the company’s net income for that year. please see Section DB 41 of the Income Tax Act: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2007/0097/latest/DLM1513686.html

The Whānau Mārama Parenting website has links to third party websites and resources. Whānau Mārama Parenting is not responsible or liable for the availability or accuracy of any such link or resource, or for the content, products, or services on or available from such websites or resources.

Links to such websites or resources do not imply any endorsement by Whānau Mārama Parenting. Visitors to the Whānau Mārama Parenting website assume all risk arising from their use of any link to third party websites or resources.

We welcome your feedback, please contact us through Contact page.

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