27 August 2025 | Tūpuna Parenting
Tūpuna Parenting has released its first Social Return on Investment (SROI) report for Ngākau Aroha for Kaimahi, showing that for every $1 invested, $11.20 of value is created for kaimahi, their own whānau, and the whānau they support.
A collaboration with independent evaluators Social Prism, the report highlights the kaupapa’s role in strengthening professional practice and whānau wellbeing through mātauranga. The evaluation was funded by Anglican Care Waiapu (ACW), whose support reflects their commitment to kaupapa Māori approaches that strengthen whānau and communities.
Ngākau Aroha delivers measurable benefits for kaimahi who complete the programme, and the whānau they support.
- For supported whānau, kaimahi reported
- 93% - improved whānau knowledge about parenting, increased confidence in parenting, stronger whānau relationships & restoration of mana with better decision-making
- 89% - better mental wellbeing
- 77.8% - improved child behaviour and wellbeing.
- For the kaimahi themselves, professionally,
- 92% - increased knowledge of tūpuna parenting and improved cultural competence and professional practice.
- 88% - improved whānau and community engagement and improved self-esteem and empowerment.
The kaimahi also reported positive outcomes for their own whānau, including improved parenting skills, whānau relationships, mental wellbeing and 88% reporting a stronger connection to whakapapa and culture.
As founder Elizabeth Emere Harte (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) says:“This kaupapa is about restoring the gentle, respectful parenting of our tūpuna and making it real for whānau today. This report shows Ngākau Aroha is impactful for both the kaimahi who commit to the journey, their own whānau and the whānau they support.”
Considering the social return on investment, even when considering kaimahi alone, for every $1 invested, the programme generates $3.46 of value.
Sneha Lakhotia of Social Prism adds:“Ngākau Aroha is more than a parenting programme. It creates a ripple effect that extends beyond individual whānau — strengthening communities, shaping policy and service design, and contributing to national well-being strategies. By embedding Māori-led approaches, it supports long-term, intergenerational change.”
Ngākau Aroha for Kaimahi is not only improving individual practice – it’s shifting systems. It restores gentle, respectful, and culturally grounded parenting approaches that strengthen whānau today, while creating systemic change so that future generations of tamariki are cherished and thrive.
For media, partnership, or interview enquiries:
- Elizabeth Emere Harte
- Founder & CEO | Tūpuna Parenting
- elizabeth.harte@tupunaparenting.maori.nz | 021 033 4224
- Sneha Lakhotia
- Director | Social Prism
- sneha.lakhotia@thesocialprism.com | 021 262 2687
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