Kia Mau ki te Hauora
Date: 1 Dec 2025
Wā Kirihimete
This Kirihimete, we’ve created something special just for you and your whānau!
Get ready for a month packed with activities, tohutohu (guidance and tips), and little challenges designed to bring whānau together, support hauora, strengthen whanaungatanga, and make the festive season meaningful, fun, and full of aroha.
Here's what's coming up this month:
• Small challenges to inspire connection, fun, and kotahitanga
• Printable activities for whānau of all ages
• Practical hauora tips to nurture tinana (body), hinengaro (mind), and wairua (spirit)
Whether you’re sharing nourishing kai, spending quality time together, or taking part in simple activities, everything has been created to help your whānau connect, celebrate, and thrive this Kirihimete.
Let’s make this festive season full of aroha, joy, laughter, and whānau togetherness – because the best part of Kirihimete is sharing it with those we love!
Get ready for a month packed with activities, tohutohu (guidance and tips), and little challenges designed to bring whānau together, support hauora, strengthen whanaungatanga, and make the festive season meaningful, fun, and full of aroha.
Here's what's coming up this month:
• Small challenges to inspire connection, fun, and kotahitanga
• Printable activities for whānau of all ages
• Practical hauora tips to nurture tinana (body), hinengaro (mind), and wairua (spirit)
Whether you’re sharing nourishing kai, spending quality time together, or taking part in simple activities, everything has been created to help your whānau connect, celebrate, and thrive this Kirihimete.
Let’s make this festive season full of aroha, joy, laughter, and whānau togetherness – because the best part of Kirihimete is sharing it with those we love!
Kirihimete Recipe Booklet
Looking for festive kai that’s easy, delicious, and perfect for sharing with your whānau?
Our Mātanga Kai Ora (Dietitian) has created some delicious recipes for you and your whānau.
Inside the booklet, you’ll find simple, nourishing recipes for festive whānau celebrations.
Download your free Kirihimete recipe booklet here.
Our Mātanga Kai Ora (Dietitian) has created some delicious recipes for you and your whānau.
Inside the booklet, you’ll find simple, nourishing recipes for festive whānau celebrations.
Download your free Kirihimete recipe booklet here.
Simple Tohutohu
This Kirihimete, take a moment to reconnect with your tinana and hinengaro — notice your feet on the ground, your breath, and the sensations around you.
Have a look at our simple tohutohu to support your hauora this summer.
Pause & reflect:
Ask yourself:
• What am I grateful for in this moment?
• What expectations can I let go of to enjoy this Kirihimete / holiday season more fully?
• What helps me stay present and connected to my tinana?
• How can I respond kindly to stress?
Reconnect with your tinana:
Notice your feet on the ground, your fingertips, the wind on your face, or the sun on your skin. Stay present, take deep belly breaths, and let go of stress.
• Inhale slowly for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 6 counts. Repeat several times.
• Or try box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4.
Mindful movements:
Take a hīkoi through the bush, along the moana, or around your neighbourhood. Notice te taiao — the birdsong, the sound of flowing water, the patterns of clouds in the sky.
Moving mindfully helps to settle your wairua, bring calm to your hinengaro, and connect you to te taiao and your own hauora.
Have a look at our simple tohutohu to support your hauora this summer.
Pause & reflect:
Ask yourself:
• What am I grateful for in this moment?
• What expectations can I let go of to enjoy this Kirihimete / holiday season more fully?
• What helps me stay present and connected to my tinana?
• How can I respond kindly to stress?
Reconnect with your tinana:
Notice your feet on the ground, your fingertips, the wind on your face, or the sun on your skin. Stay present, take deep belly breaths, and let go of stress.
• Inhale slowly for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 6 counts. Repeat several times.
• Or try box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4.
Mindful movements:
Take a hīkoi through the bush, along the moana, or around your neighbourhood. Notice te taiao — the birdsong, the sound of flowing water, the patterns of clouds in the sky.
Moving mindfully helps to settle your wairua, bring calm to your hinengaro, and connect you to te taiao and your own hauora.
Nature Mahi Toi Activity
Take your tamariki and whānau on a little hīkoi through nature or along the moana and see what Papatūānuku has to share — pōhutukawa leaves, shells, pinecones, feathers, and more.
Back at your whare, turn your finds into Kirihimete decorations or ornaments, and create something beautiful together with your whānau.
Looking for more festive fun? Download our Kirihimete Pukapuka Mahi (Christmas Activity Book) for creative activities, tips, and inspiration for the season!
Download here
Back at your whare, turn your finds into Kirihimete decorations or ornaments, and create something beautiful together with your whānau.
Looking for more festive fun? Download our Kirihimete Pukapuka Mahi (Christmas Activity Book) for creative activities, tips, and inspiration for the season!
Download here
Piki te Ora
Raumati Edition
As the days get longer and Hine-Raumati warms the air, this season invites us to slow down, reconnect, and care for all parts of our hauora.
Here’s a simple checklist to help nurture balance, safety, and connection during the holidays.
Download your free Piki te Ora Self-care Checklist here.
As the days get longer and Hine-Raumati warms the air, this season invites us to slow down, reconnect, and care for all parts of our hauora.
Here’s a simple checklist to help nurture balance, safety, and connection during the holidays.
Download your free Piki te Ora Self-care Checklist here.
Simple Tohutohu
Set clear expectations:
Be open with whānau about gifts, budgets, and which events you can attend. Keeping things simple — like Secret Santa or handmade koha — helps ease stress.
Remember it’s okay to say kāo. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can decline an invite or leave early to protect your hauora.
Plan ahead with whānau so everyone knows what to expect. Clear kōrero and gentle boundaries help reduce anxiety and stress.
Prioritise rest:
This time of year can be busy so make space for some rest.
Take a moment each day for a hīkoi, a quiet kapu, or some simple mindfulness to calm your wairua.
Reach out for tautoko:
It’s okay to ask for support.
If you or someone in your whānau is struggling, connect with a trusted hoa, whānau, or support service.
You don’t have to carry everything alone.
Be open with whānau about gifts, budgets, and which events you can attend. Keeping things simple — like Secret Santa or handmade koha — helps ease stress.
Remember it’s okay to say kāo. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can decline an invite or leave early to protect your hauora.
Plan ahead with whānau so everyone knows what to expect. Clear kōrero and gentle boundaries help reduce anxiety and stress.
Prioritise rest:
This time of year can be busy so make space for some rest.
Take a moment each day for a hīkoi, a quiet kapu, or some simple mindfulness to calm your wairua.
Reach out for tautoko:
It’s okay to ask for support.
If you or someone in your whānau is struggling, connect with a trusted hoa, whānau, or support service.
You don’t have to carry everything alone.
Whānau Obstacle Course
Ready for some summer fun with your whānau? Create a whānau obstacle course using what you have around you — chairs, cushions, sticks, rope, pinecones, shells, or just your imagination!
Ideas for your course:
• Hop over cushions, or sticks
• Crawl under chairs, tables, or low branches
• Balance along a stick, rope, or line in the sand
• Sprint to collect treasures from around your backyard, park, or even by the moana!
• Toss shells into a bucket or target
You can create your course inside your whare, outside in the backyard, at the park, or by the moana.
Download your free Kirihimete Pukapuka Mahi here for extra activities, tips, and whānau-friendly inspiration.
Ideas for your course:
• Hop over cushions, or sticks
• Crawl under chairs, tables, or low branches
• Balance along a stick, rope, or line in the sand
• Sprint to collect treasures from around your backyard, park, or even by the moana!
• Toss shells into a bucket or target
You can create your course inside your whare, outside in the backyard, at the park, or by the moana.
Download your free Kirihimete Pukapuka Mahi here for extra activities, tips, and whānau-friendly inspiration.
Tamariki Colouring Book
Whānau, get creative this Kirihimete!
Download our printable colouring sheets and enjoy some mahi toi with your tamariki — at your whare, by the moana, in the park, wherever your whānau gathers.
Colour, create, and kōrero with your whānau. Let’s celebrate whanaungatanga and creativity this festive season.
Download your free Tamariki colouring book here.
Download our printable colouring sheets and enjoy some mahi toi with your tamariki — at your whare, by the moana, in the park, wherever your whānau gathers.
Colour, create, and kōrero with your whānau. Let’s celebrate whanaungatanga and creativity this festive season.
Download your free Tamariki colouring book here.
Kirihimete Ornaments for Your Tree
Make Your Own Kirihimete Taonga
Kirihimete Snacks For The Tree
Looking for tasty, festive, and healthy ways to decorate your Christmas tree? Try these simple, whānau-friendly ideas:
• Dried Fruit Ornaments
• Popcorn Garland
• Mini Dark Chocolate Dipped Fruit
Salt Dough Kirihimete Ornaments
Our salt dough recipe is a fun, hands-on way to create your own Kirihimete ornaments — perfect for the tree or as special handmade gifts for whānau.
What you’ll need:
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water
• Rolling pin & cookie cutters
• A straw for making hanging holes
Download the booklet to get the full recipe and explore even more creative Kirihimete activities to enjoy with your whānau.
Download here
Kirihimete Snacks For The Tree
Looking for tasty, festive, and healthy ways to decorate your Christmas tree? Try these simple, whānau-friendly ideas:
• Dried Fruit Ornaments
• Popcorn Garland
• Mini Dark Chocolate Dipped Fruit
Salt Dough Kirihimete Ornaments
Our salt dough recipe is a fun, hands-on way to create your own Kirihimete ornaments — perfect for the tree or as special handmade gifts for whānau.
What you’ll need:
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water
• Rolling pin & cookie cutters
• A straw for making hanging holes
Download the booklet to get the full recipe and explore even more creative Kirihimete activities to enjoy with your whānau.
Download here
Taiao Activity
Wander through your backyard, local park, or along the moana and notice the little treasures of Papatūānuku.
What caught the attention of your tamariki? What treasures did you discover on your hīkoi? Invite them to draw or take a photo of something special — rākau, flowers, birds, clouds, and more.
Want to get even more creative? Grab your free Tamariki colouring book and enjoy festive colouring and activities with your whānau.
Simple Tohutohu
Maintain healthy habits:
Try to keep your regular daily routines — stay hydrated, eat well, and get enough moe (sleep).
Small habits help support your hauora during a busy season.
Acknowledge your feelings:
It’s okay to feel ngā kare ā-roto this festive season. Give yourself permission to feel without judgement.
Reach out to a trusted hoa or whānau member for tautoko if you need it. Encourage whānau to share their feelings too, and offer a listening ear with aroha.
Engage with your hapori:
Connect with your hapū, iwi, or local whānau networks. Participate in community events, volunteer at your local food bank, or join a rōpū to feel supported and connected.
Sharing time and tautoko with others helps strengthen your wairua, fosters whanaungatanga, and reduces feelings of loneliness.
For more tohutohu and guidance, download our Piki te Ora Raumati Edition to support balance, safety, and connection for your whānau this holiday season.
Try to keep your regular daily routines — stay hydrated, eat well, and get enough moe (sleep).
Small habits help support your hauora during a busy season.
Acknowledge your feelings:
It’s okay to feel ngā kare ā-roto this festive season. Give yourself permission to feel without judgement.
Reach out to a trusted hoa or whānau member for tautoko if you need it. Encourage whānau to share their feelings too, and offer a listening ear with aroha.
Engage with your hapori:
Connect with your hapū, iwi, or local whānau networks. Participate in community events, volunteer at your local food bank, or join a rōpū to feel supported and connected.
Sharing time and tautoko with others helps strengthen your wairua, fosters whanaungatanga, and reduces feelings of loneliness.
For more tohutohu and guidance, download our Piki te Ora Raumati Edition to support balance, safety, and connection for your whānau this holiday season.