About Us At TWM
About Te Whenua Moemoea
The land of dreaming: Our foundations
Te Whenua Moemoea is a culturally led mentoring, education and community support organisation dedicated to strengthening individuals, rangatahi, whānau and communities. Terina created the kaupapa initiative of Te Whenua Moemoea, drawing from her lived experiences, cultural foundations and passion for supporting people. Together, our whānau have brought this kaupapa to life, each contributing their own strengths, knowledge and skills to support and implement the programmes and initiatives of Te Whenua Moemoea. At the heart of our kaupapa is our shared love for people, whānau, culture, arts, recreation and community. The knowledge, values and principles we were raised with, and continue to live by, form the foundations of the work we do today. We have carried these foundations into practical programmes and initiatives that allow us to support others while remaining true to who we are and where we come from. Our work is grounded in Indigenous worldviews and culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing. We work alongside First Nations, Māori, Pacific and culturally diverse individuals and whānau, while welcoming people from all walks of life who want to strengthen their identity, relationships, wellbeing and direction in life. We believe that knowing who you are, understanding where you come from and having a strong sense of belonging can provide a solid foundation for moving forward with purpose and direction. At the heart of Te Whenua Moemoea are three principles: Mana Atua. Mana Whenua. Mana Tangata. These principles guide how we understand wellbeing, identity, relationships and our responsibilities to one another. Mana Atua acknowledges our spiritual wellbeing, our relationship with our Creator and the importance of understanding our purpose, values and wairua. Mana Whenua acknowledges our relationship with whenua, culture, whakapapa, tūpuna and the places to which we belong. It recognises our responsibility to care for whenua and maintain our connection with the natural world. Mana Tangata acknowledges the value of people and relationships. It reflects our responsibility to care for one another, strengthen whānau, practise manaakitanga and build healthy relationships within our communities. For us, these principles are not simply concepts written into our programmes. They come from lived experience. They are values and principles we were raised around, practised within our whānau and communities, and carried throughout our lives. Today, they form the foundations of the programmes, mentoring and cultural support we provide through Te Whenua Moemoea.
What TWM Does?
Our programmes bring together culture, mentoring, education, creativity, recreation and practical support. We work alongside people to strengthen:
• Identity and cultural connection
• Whakapapa and belonging
• Hauora and wellbeing
• Confidence and self-worth
• Emotional awareness and self-regulation
• Healthy relationships and communication
• Whānau connections
• Education and personal development
• Cultural knowledge, language and practices
• Leadership, responsibility and self-determination
Our work may include individual and whānau mentoring, Te Reo Māori, whakapapa, Maramataka, Te Whare Tapa Whā, cultural arts, music, kapa haka, creative activities, connection with Te Taiao, community participation and practical life skills. We recognise that every person comes with their own identity, culture, experiences, strengths and aspirations. Our role is to walk alongside them, provide guidance and support, and create opportunities for them to develop the knowledge and skills they can carry forward.
Our Approach
Culture is not an addition to our work. It is part of its foundation. Our programmes draw from Indigenous knowledge and lived cultural practice while recognising the individual cultural identity of each person and whānau we support. We use approaches that consider the whole person, including taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana, taha whānau and whenua. We also recognise that meaningful change takes time. Our mentoring programmes are designed to build relationships, strengthen protective factors, establish goals and support progress over time rather than expecting change from a single intervention. We work collaboratively with whānau, caseworkers, referring agencies, schools, community organisations and other services where appropriate.
What is Our Purpose?
Our purpose is to strengthen people so they can strengthen their whānau and communities. We want rangatahi and whānau to know who they are, understand their value, strengthen their relationships, develop confidence in their abilities and have the tools to make informed decisions about their future. We believe strong identity, healthy relationships, cultural connection, education and a sense of belonging can provide foundations that carry across generations.
Our Commitment
At Te Whenua Moemoea we are committed to walking alongside people with manaakitanga, respect, accountability and care. We honour the knowledge that comes from our tūpuna while recognising the realities faced by individuals and whānau today. Our responsibility is to provide programmes and services that are meaningful, culturally grounded, practical and responsive to the people we serve. Mana Atua. Mana Whenua. Mana Tangata. Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai. Nurture the seed and it will blossom.
Serving diverse communities with respect
We work alongside Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Pasifika communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people from all walks of life. We respect each person's culture, beliefs, values, lived experiences, strengths, and aspirations. Our programmes bring together cultural mentoring, education, personal development, and practical support through mah.
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Terina Bailey
Director/ Principle Cultural Mentor
Email: terina.bailey@tewhenuamoemoea.com
Terina is a busy and dedicated mother of seven. First and foremost, she gives praise to God. Her faith and her whānau are the foundations that guide her life, her values and the work she does within her community.
Born and raised in Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Terina grew up surrounded by whānau, culture and community. Her passion for serving others has led her to provide cultural support, mentoring and opportunities for individuals and whānau within her sphere of influence.
Terina founded Kotahitanga NSW, a community organisation and not-for-profit dedicated to creating cultural opportunities, programmes and community initiatives for people across NSW.
Terina is currently studying at Massey University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Māori Studies. Alongside her university studies, she is also undertaking training to become a Mahi Wairua Practitioner, continuing to strengthen her knowledge and understanding of Māori approaches to wairua, hauora and wellbeing.
Her commitment to culture, identity and community continues through her work with Te Whenua Moemoea, where she works alongside individuals, rangatahi and whānau to strengthen cultural connection, identity, wellbeing and positive pathways.
Ko Kurahaupō, ko Tākitimu, ko Tainui ōku waka.
Ko Tāirea, ko Kahuranaki, ko Pōhaturoa ōku maunga.
Ko Whangawehi, ko Ngaruroro, ko Waikato ōku awa.
Ko Te Māhia, ko Ahuriri, ko Taupō ōku moana.
He uri ahau nō Rongomaiwahine rāua ko Kahungunu.
Ko Rongomaiwahine rāua ko Kahungunu, me Ngāti Tūwharetoa ōku iwi.
Ko Ngāi Tū, ko Ngāti Pōporo, ko Ngāti Whaita ōku hapū.
Ko Tuāhuru, ko Korongotā, ko Ōngaroto ōku marae.
Ko Hēni Te Rongo rātou ko Nukunoa, ko Whaita ōku whare tīpuna.
Ko Ārama Puriri rātou ko Islet Greening, ko Rānui Kapua, ko Īwi Pūrongo ōku tīpuna.
Ko Cameron Bailey tōku hoa rangatira.
Tokowhitu āku tamariki.
Ko Terina Puriri Bailey tōku ingoa.
Cameron Bailey
Director/ Principle Cultural Mentor
Email: cameron.bailey@tewhenuamoemoea.com
Cameron and Terina have a beautiful family of 7 children, which has given them many opportunities to learn and exercise life lessons and experience. This experience has adds so much value to his diverse background in youth recreation, community engagement, sport, and programme coordination to Te Whenua Moemoea. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism, with an emphasis in Sports Management, from the University of Utah, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Sports Marketing from Australian Progressive Marketing. Cameron has worked across youth programmes, professional and community sport, community centres, marketing, administration and team leadership in Australia, New Zealand and America. His experience includes coordinating recreation programmes for young people, working within professional sporting organisations and supporting community-based activities.
Whānau has also been a significant part of Cameron’s journey. For over ten years, he stepped away from the traditional workforce to serve as a full-time carer, an experience that strengthened his understanding of responsibility, patience, commitment and the everyday realities faced by families. Within Te Whenua Moemoea, Cameron brings this lived experience together with his professional background to support our work with rangatahi, individuals, whānau and communities. He is committed to creating safe and respectful environments where people feel welcomed, supported and able to participate, while contributing to the wider kaupapa and future direction of Te Whenua Moemoea.
