Awhi Mai Stroke Trust was established in March 2019 in Rotorua and supports our wider Māori stroke survivor whānau across Te Waiariki (Bay of Plenty), including the two big tribal groups of Mataatua and Te Arawa.

Stroke is the third biggest killer, and the biggest cause of adult disabilities in New Zealand each year. About 750 are Māori. The victims and whānau are traumatised as life as they know has now changed forever.

The purpose of the Trust is to educate and support people, stroke survivors and their whānau, about pathways to rehabilitation within a holistic and Te Ao Māori approach. 

Awhi Mai Trust is about whānau supporting whānau so that they:

• do not suffer alone
• use experiences that other whānau have learnt and developed, and
• apply tāonga tuku iho that can benefit the tinana, hinengaro, and wairua of the stroke patient and the whānau.

Awhi Mai Stroke Trust believes that survivors and whānau must see themselves as leaders and experts through the knowledge and experiences that they have had to deal with through managing the illness.