Reclaim the Waha.
Reclaim the Future.
Oniho35 exists because our whānau deserve better. We work alongside communities across Tairāwhiti to reclaim the mana of the waha through kaupapa Māori oral health promotion, workforce development, research and evaluation and access to clinical care. Together, we’re growing stronger communities where whānau lead, make informed decisions, and thrive.
Our Kaupapa
At the heart of Oniho35 is a commitment to reclaim the mana of the waha and challenge the barriers that prevent whānau from achieving good oral health. We believe lasting change happens when communities are empowered, knowledge is shared, and whānau are supported to lead their own journey. We believe in:
Working with whānau, not for whānau.
Celebrating mātauranga Māori and the wisdom it brings to oral health.
Creating opportunities for healthier futures
Growing confident communities that lead their own futures.
We’re reclaiming the mana of the waha—not just for today, but so our tamariki, mokopuna and the generations that follow can grow up healthier, stronger and proud of who they are.
Join our Whānau
Sign up to hear about our latest programmes, community events, oral health tips, research, and the mahi happening across Tairāwhiti.
About Oniho35
Oniho35 was founded by Wiremu and Erana with a simple belief: every whānau deserves the opportunity to thrive, and where you live should never determine the health of your waha.
Grounded in whakapapa, mātauranga Māori and the lived realities of Te Tairāwhiti, we walk alongside whānau, hapū and communities to reclaim the mana of the waha through kaupapa Māori oral health promotion, clinical care, workforce development, research and evaluation, and advocacy.
Our work goes beyond treating teeth. We believe oral health is deeply connected to identity, culture, wellbeing and the strength of our communities. That’s why we focus on creating lasting change by growing knowledge, building capability, strengthening local leadership, and improving equitable access to oral healthcare.
We don’t believe communities need us to lead their oral health journey. We believe the knowledge, strengths and aspirations already exist within our whānau and hapū. Our role is to share knowledge, strengthen confidence, build capability, and support communities to develop their own solutions, identify their own priorities, and shape their own oral health futures.
Through education, mentoring, research, workforce development and strong community partnerships, we’re helping communities build the skills, leadership and confidence to exercise hapū rangatiratanga over the oral health of their own people—creating solutions that are designed by communities, for communities.
Together, we’re creating a future where oral health is recognised as an essential part of hauora, where communities have greater control over their own health futures, and where every mokopuna has the opportunity to grow up healthy, confident and proud.
Get in Touch
If our mahi speaks to you, we’d love to kōrero. Send us a message and we’ll be in touch.