Te Waipuna Puawai is committed to working with and alongside women, children and families who are in need. We aim to improve the lives of families by providing family support services and adult education.

We build supportive relationships with whānau by connecting them with others in the local community and developing a pathway to achieve and celebrate their goals.

Mercy Oasis Ltd is a thriving community development initiative of the Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. We were established in 1999, building on a decade of highly respected community development work in Glen Innes.

Our Vision

Whakamana te oranga wairua o te tangata me te whenua

Wellbeing for our communities and restoration of the earth.

Our Mission

Kia u ki te mahi kotahi whakarawea te mana wahine, te mana whānau me te mana iwi whanui

Working together to strengthen women, strengthen families and strengthen the community.

Te Waipuna Puawai weaves together three important strands to create our approach:

Papatuanuku - a strong commitment to fostering earth awareness and responding to the call to heal the environment.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - our commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and to working in ways that work for Māori whānau and communities.
Tikanga Atawhai – the practice of Mercy values. 

 Services and programmes:

• Community Education Courses, including Gardening, Pantry Cooking, Wahine Hauora, Aua Hoki, Reiki, Rongoa and Te Reo Māori.
• Environment Services project twin streams, educating local schools in Rānui and surrounding suburbs around restoration of the local reserves/parks and streams, maintenance and being kaitiaki's in these areas. Pa Harakeke Gardens, for local weavers to educate the community around the different types of harakeke, how to harvest appropriately and the art of raranga. 
• Young Wahine Mentorship Programme developed around a previous model from earlier years, this programme is in the developing stages of supporting young wahine navigate through their lives around what supports they need through the renowned Māori wellbeing model Te Whare Tapa Wha. This looks into assisting around further education pathways, employment pathways, basic foundation skills such as reading and writing, counselling, maara kai, budgeting, cooking and much more...

Our approach is community-based, accessible, and whānau-centred. We adopt a wraparound, holistic, stepping-stone approach with quality service and a hospitable and peaceful learning environment.