PDKB

🌺 Launching He Kete Āwhina – Empowering Our Elders and Carers

Today we proudly launched the He Kete Āwhina website 👉 https://hekete.co.nz/ at the Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank in Pukekohe.

He Kete Āwhina is a co-created, live digital resource designed to help older people and their whānau plan and access health and social services with ease. It brings together digital tools, community networks, and cultural knowledge to ensure that support is accessible, local, and grounded in Māori and Pasifika values.

What makes this even more exciting is that He Kete Āwhina is a living, evolving platform — one that we’ll continue to develop and build alongside our communities, ensuring it stays fit for purpose, responsive, and reflective of real needs across Aotearoa.

This kaupapa is the result of a powerful partnership between:
🤝 Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research CCREATE AGE (University of Auckland)
🤝 Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank
🤝 A & K Thomson Limited

A heartfelt thank you to our community co-creators, advisors, and whānau who have shaped every step of this journey — your voices, experiences, and insights sit at the heart of He Kete Āwhina.

We also gratefully acknowledge the Ted and Mollie Carr Trust and the Health Research Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) for funding and supporting this research. Your investment in community-led, culturally grounded innovation continues to make a tangible difference across Aotearoa.

Today’s launch in Pukekohe celebrates what’s possible when research, technology, and culture come together to uplift our people. 💙

Inu Akerei (Rei) Maresala-Thomson, MBA Elia Chan, MBA Joanna Hikaka Melanie Stowell Ngaire Kerse Yvonne Powley Tamika Simpson

Our Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank team convening our local cultural dance activities thanks to the support from Tū Manawa | CLM Community Sport https://share.google/Xc7Up5Q1YLX6dXz5i

Our Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank team convening our local cultural dance activities thanks to the support from Tū Manawa | CLM Community Sport https://share.google/Xc7Up5Q1YLX6dXz5i

Talofa and happy Tuvalu 🇹🇻 Language Week from our team here at Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank Pukekohe. Franklin Local Board A & K Thomson Limited