Latest news with #MorrisPita
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Pātea: A World-First Māori Gambling Harm Digital Platform Launches Across Aotearoa
Aotearoa is leading the world in gambling harm innovation with the launch of Pātea - a groundbreaking digital platform designed by Māori, for Māori, to help free whānau from the burdens of gambling harm. Pātea, meaning to be free or lifted of burden, is an indigenously designed, built, and operated digital platform, the first of its kind globally. It was co-designed with whānau who have lived experience of gambling harm, ensuring every part of the app feels supportive, culturally grounded, and whānau friendly. Morris Pita, CEO of the Māori-owned and operated software firm Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd, is excited by the impact of digital technology as a tool to reduce gambling harm. "It has been an incredible experience for our tech and data science team to take their unique blend of technical and cultural skills, and use these to build a state-of-the-art cloud platform and application - deploying agentic AI to deliver 24/7 online support to whānau suffering from the impact of gambling harm." With the rapid rise of online gambling and digital casinos, whānau are being targeted like never before. Māori communities, already disproportionately affected by gambling harm, are particularly at risk. "We see the harm gambling has every day in our communities," says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora. "The environment is changing fast, and we need new tools that meet whānau where they're at. Pātea is one of those tools. A safe, judgement free space to pause, reflect, and find support." Pātea was created by three Māori-led organisations - Hāpai Te Hauora, Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Tai Pari Mōhio - combining over 60 years of expertise in public health, mental health, digital innovation, and whānau-led service design. Pātea offers features like: 24/7 generative AI chatbot - providing instant, culturally safe support Online counselling sessions - available for gamblers and their whānau Whānau testimonial videos - real voices sharing hope and strategies Self and whānau assessment tools - to identify when help is needed Links to local services and app-blocking tools Accessible, easy-to-read information on gambling harm "This isn't just another platform. It's a digital extension of kaupapa Māori care, designed with the people we serve, not just for them," says Alexander.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
The story behind Te Tai Tokerau trust's Ahuwhenua Trophy win
farming te ao Maori 43 minutes ago The Ahuwhenua Trophy is one of the most prestigious and contested awards for Maori farming. It dates back to 1933 and was established by Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Charles Bledisloe. This year the Northland-based Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust was awarded the trophy for excellence in Maori sheep and beef farming. Morris Pita is the co-chair of Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, he speaks to Jesse about the honour.
NZ Herald
09-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Northland Māori trust revitalises land, wins national award
Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust - represented by trustees Carla Martin and Morris Pita, farm worker Kieran Wetere-Hepi, farm manager Matt Payne and administrator Tori Norman - is achieving great things on its Whangaruru block. The success of Northland farming operation Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust is about so much more than being profitable, it is also about empowering the thousands of descendants of whānau who used to live on the whenua. The trust, which manages a 1100ha block in Ngaiotonga, Whangaruru, has won the national Māori
