Course participants spreading message

The Manurere group supports men and women completing the life-changing Tane Ora and Wa Hine Ora courses in Taupo and Turangi. Back row from left: Brendon Downs, Benoir Midwood Murray, Manaia Cuthbert, Heath Cairns, Kim Eriksen, Ben Biddle. Front row: Angeleigh Farell, Zane Conelly. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Here's what normally happens. You do a course or a programme, something aimed at changing what you do - at work, at home, with your family.

You finish the course with the best of intentions and vowing to put what you've learned into practice. And, for a while, you do. But down the track, it's all too easy to slip back into the old ways.

The participants of the Tane Ora and Wa Hine Ora courses running at REAP in Taupo don't have that problem.

Those who have completed the courses have formed their own tuakana roopu (big brothers and sisters group) called Manurere, or wellness practitioners.

The Manurere members mentor those who are coming through the Tane Ora and Wa Hine Ora courses.

Kim Eriksen of Te Kakano Consultants, who runs the courses with husband Brendon Downs, said the Manurere group had now developed its own material, with funding from E Tu Whanau. Not only do the members mentor men coming through Tane Ora, they've also established their own board and plan to do their own community projects.

As well, the group members are spreading the Tane Ora message by speaking publicly about their own journey to becoming better husbands, fathers, sons, uncles and men.

The group has also held two wananga at the Taupo-nui-a-Tia College marae where families have come along.