Te Aho Tapu Founders

Te Aho Tapu Trust was established in December 1999 specifically to provide psychological support services to Māori whanau.

The founding members were the late Reverend Pura Panapa (Chairperson), Aroha Waipara-Panapa (Clinical Psychologist) and Sharon Rickard (Clinical Psychologist). Reverend Panapa guided Aroha and Sharon in the initial stages and named the group Te Aho Tapu. This name signifies the sacred thread which is the essence of all people. “Whakatika Te Aho Tapu, ko tera te oranga o te iwi Māori” - our mission is to make right the sacred thread because from there, comes the wellness of Māori people.