Mahana Stories

Whose stories are these?
What can we learn from them?
Each of the stories in this pack represent a group of people who spoke to
us. They are not intended to represent the experience of all New
Zealanders. They do however raise questions about how we build,
support and value intergenerational connection and what we might do
differently whatever our role or interest in this area.
John’s story draws on conversations with older
people living active, connected, independent lives
in urban environments. While comfortable
connecting online, they found lockdown had a
substantial impact on their social connectedness,
taking away access to the places and spaces where
they found connection.
How might we enable places and spaces of safe
connection during a time of pandemic?
Nikau’s story draws on conversations with a
diverse group of rangatahi / young people and
those working closely with young people across
Aotearoa / New Zealand.
How might we acknowledge the power and
encourage the development of ‘grandparent’
relationships - biological or not?
Aroha’s story draws on conversations we had with
wahine and tāne in rural communities with strong
community responses to COVID19. These mostly
younger people mobilised their communities to
quickly and effectively pool available resources and
take care of those most vulnerable to the virus
How might communities be supported and
resourced to respond to the needs of their members
in a way that works for them?