Whānau are capturing their dreams for the future using a unique visual tool as a catalyst for change.

PATH – ‘Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope’ – has been used by Whānau Ora action researcher Kataraina Pipi in Māori communities for more than a decade.

Of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Hine descent, Kataraina uses the PATH tool to help whānau clarify and create a positive and hopeful ‘pull’ towards their dreams.

“The PATH process results in a picture of aspirations and intentions, and a plan for the future that is an exciting way of engaging with whānau,” says Kataraina.

“The other valuable aspect about PATH is that whānau determine the measures of success – it is whānau who decide what success looks like for whānau.”

Since PATH requires highly skilled facilitation, Kataraina has been delivering PATH facilitator training throughout the country as part of her work with Whānau Ora provider collectives.

“PATH has the best results when whānau come together in a supported way to drive their own dreams, to reflect and to plan, thus ensuring collective input by all involved.

“By sharing the planning tool, we are growing a nationwide pool of PATH facilitators who can support more whānau participation in planning for themselves, and more marae, hapū and iwi-focused outcomes being realised.”

After completing the PATH course, Mariao Hohaia – Hapū Development Projects Coordinator with Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi – returned home to his wife and two children and together they developed a PATH for their own whānau.

According to Mariao, meaningful change to realise a common vision requires ownership from all members of the group associated with a whānau plan.

“The PATH is a very inclusive and effective tool to creating that – when the message is the same that everyone cannot only understand but articulate it, that’s when a plan is most likely to succeed.

“We are finding this tool creates ownership from kaumātua and kuia right through to tamariki and mokopuna.”