Te Kiwi Māia offers 'Wellness Weeks' at selected locations across the North and South Islands. These six-day programs provide respite, recovery, and rehabilitation for 12 first responders and defence personnel, featuring a variety of services. Our current program focuses on stress and burnout, offering a holistic approach that includes:

• Psychological Support: Addressing stress, burnout, self-care, depression, trauma, skills, goals, and coping tools.

• Traditional Māori Healing (Rongoā): Practices such as massage (Mirimiri) and talk/prayer (Korero/Karakia) to emphasize the spiritual dimension (Wairua) of health.

• Trauma Yoga: Daily sessions to support physical and emotional healing.

• Physical Training: Daily exercises to enhance physical well-being.

• Sleep Hygiene and Nutrition Training: Guidance on maintaining healthy sleep patterns and nutrition.

• Lived-Experience Guest Speakers: Sharing personal experiences to inspire and educate.

We also prioritize post-care, conducting check-ins at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following the Wellness Week.

Te Kiwi Māia's mission, vision, goals, and aspirations are grounded in the values of Te Whare Tapa Whā, a model representing holistic health and well-being. Through experiential and instructional activities, we aim to provide tools for fostering physiological and psychological awareness by connecting mind, body, breath, and nature. The program integrates the principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and is designed in collaboration with Massey University, the New Zealand Defence Force, and Te Kiwi Māia's Māori Cultural and Psychological Health Advisors. Specialist service providers lead these activities onsite at the retreat.

The benefits of the Wellness Weeks include happier and healthier NZDF personnel and first responders, contributing to a more resilient, effective, and high-functioning military and emergency response workforce. TKM Wellness Weeks offer a safe and inclusive space for participants to rest, recover, and rejuvenate, enabling them to better serve and perform their roles both in uniform and at home.