“Kei te mōhio hoki ahau ki ngā whakaaro e whakaaro nei ahau ki a koutou,” e ai tā Ihowā, “he whakaaro mō te rongo mau, ehara mō te kino, kia hoatu he tūmanako ki a koutou i ō koutou rā whakamutunga.

Heremaia 29:11

Nau mai ki Te Awa o Tūmanako Inc (The River of Hope).

We are a charitable trust based in the heart of West Auckland.

We bring hope through our business, community initiative and the creative arts.

We resource people with the knowledge and skills to grow their own food, cook their own food and kai gather on the land and in the sea.

We educate people by teaching sustainable and foundational life-skills that can be passed down to their mokopuna (grandchildren).

We share the gospel and create safe spaces for people to encounter, worship, love and learn about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

About Us

Our Mahi

2025 - 2028

  • Takatū - Community Initiative

    A 23 day initiative, preparing households and building resilient communities by teaching foundational and sustainable life-skills to people living in and around West Auckland.

  • Community Cafe and Retail Store

    A combined community cafe and retail store, offering fresh coffee and a range of different products that align with our community initiative. With every purchase supporting the mahi (work) we do on the ground.

  • Kia Marama - Creative Arts Space

    A space for creatives to release their messages of hope by exploring and harnessing their gifts and talents.

Meet the Team

  • Leilani - Founder and Chairperson

    Ngapuhi, Te Ati Awa, Ngai Te Rangi
    A blessed māmā, kingdom community developer, creative and entrepreneur. A leader of grace and a voice for the voiceless. A passion to bring hope while serving God, my whanau and all people.

  • Rix - Secretary

    Ngapuhi, Ngāti Wai
    I have been lucky enough to have grown up around hunter gatherers from a young age. At the age of 7 I would go eeling by myself to bring back to my whānau. My grandfather and uncles had green fingers, I learnt a lot from them around the garden. Diving and fishing is a big part of our culture in Ngāti wai, living on the coast, it is a given to have some sort of seafood on the table. Sharing my experiences to help people with the fundamentals to self sustainability, living off the whenua and moana. My favorite quote is, “Good Better, Best Never, Rest Till Good be Better and Better be Best.”

  • Misty-Rose - Treasurer & Financial Adviser

    Ngāti Parou
    With a background in small business and the creative arts, I am passionate about bringing those two worlds together in a way that supports people and projects with purpose. As a mum to two young kotiro, I care deeply about the kind of community we’re building and endeavour to support initiatives that uplift, include and create space for people to thrive.

  • Jnr & Grace

    Ngapuhi Nui Tonu
    Celebrating over 30 years of love and commitment to one another. Both are selfless and hold weight in aroha and kotahitanga. Gifted in hospitality and members of the Taumata in Kelston. Jnr is a gifted guitarist, gardener, kai gatherer and fisher. Grace is a qualified chef.

  • Phillipa

    Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Pāoa, Ngati Huiao, Ngati Te Rori
    A God fearing and anointed singer, Evangelist, Teacher and Preacher of the Word of God. A Woman of God, called to womans ministry with a heartbeat and love to serve God and His people.

  • Jan-Marie

    Ngāti Pāoa, Ngātikahu-kii-Whangaroa, Te Atihaunui-ā-Paparangi
    Māmā, social worker, kitchen extraordinaire with a passion to see people set free, and living purpose filled lives - whatever that may look like.

  • Prinston & Autumn

    Ngapuhi | Ngati Hine
    Pāpā, professional IGL & content creator. A gifted lyricist, guitarist and singer.
    -
    Māmā & teacher fluent in Te Reo Māori. I have extensive knowledge of customs and beliefs within my iwi and hapū. With 7 years of work experience in the education sector including kohanga reo, early childhood, and primary school. I have also developed and implemented programmes to support hoamahi, students and their whānau with their journey through Te Ao Maori.

  • Lisa

    Te Ati Awa, Ngati Tama, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua
    I’ve spent the past seven years working across mental health, addiction, family harm, and sexual harm. Primarily supporting rangatahi, wahine, and whānau. My work has always been from a Te Ao Māori and a Kaupapa Māori lens including working with Te Whatu Ora, I've also served in wider social services. At the heart of everything I do is my faith and love for God, my whānau and people. I believe in giving back and I will continue to walk in obedience while serving God and all people across Australia and New Zealand.