The volunteers at the Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League do a lot for their community, but over the years the League’s main focus has not strayed far from home.

Family is an integral part of the League, both in the sense of the large family that is formed by the League as well as the families that the League helps through its programmes and activities.

The Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League hit the headlines in 2002 when the League and its 50 plus members and volunteers won the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards.  At that time the League’s parenting and life skills programme was one of its core activities.

Today, not a lot has changed with the parenting programme still an integral part of the League.  The programme involves skilled teachers providing young mothers with training in areas such as cooking, budgeting, arts and crafts and the basics of how to run a home.  The weekly programme receives some funding from Child Youth and Family Services, with young mothers referred to the programme through a variety of agencies or services.

Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League Chairperson Ani Rolfe says they see some success stories coming out of the parenting programme.

“Some of the young mums really struggle to learn but they seem to be quite happy and proud of their achievement,” says Ani Rolfe.

Each year about 10 to 12 participants graduate from the programme.

At the time of winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards the League was running an Immunisation Programme throughouth the Wairiki region.  Rotorua members were tasked with helping promote and educate young mums on the importance of good health by protecting their children from many diseases through immunisation.  Today the Immunisation Programme continues, although Ani says it is more like a one-man-band now, with the assistance of some volunteers at community stalls or events.

“The Immunisation Programme coordinator promotes her work throughout the community at public events as well as going to people’s houses to promote and educate families about the importance of immunisation.

“There are many, many agencies promoting immunisation now so we are part of the bigger picture,” says Ani.

The Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League also offers programmes for the older members of the community.  The League’s Marae Line Dancers have been dancing for years, and although Ani says the programme has slowed down a little she says it will never die-out because it provides good entertainment and exercise.

“As well as line dancing we also do Kapa Haka and singing – anything that keeps us moving.  We also run a Kaumatua group,” says Ani.

The League’s members provide assistance to many other voluntary groups and organisations in the community, such as providing people-power for events or support for fundraising.

The main challenge facing the League, however, is its dwindling numbers.  Currently the Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League has around 40 members.

“There are younger members coming into the League in the rural regions but not so much in Rotorua.  In the city there is always something more enticing for the young people, so that is our challenge,” says Ani.

The League is still tremendously proud of its success at the TrustPower Spirit of Rotorua Awards.

“We are so proud of it – it was such as surprise!  It gives us a boost every time we see that certificate.”

For more information about the Rotorua Maori Women’s Welfare League contact Ani Rolfe on 07 348 5342.