Introducing two awesome wāhine who have been honoured for their bravery and resilience in turning their lives around and who are now studying in the field of addiction to give back to those who are on their own journeys of recovery.

Graduates of Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua, the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court, Rochelle Lisney (left in photo 1) and Waerenga Waihirere (right) are the winners of the Mana Wāhine Award for 2025.

The Gattung Foundation, in partnership with the judges of Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua and the Kate Edger Foundation, funded by sponsors & the social enterprise Graduation Place, awards these recipients with funding towards their tertiary study and they become members to the rōpu of wāhine who are awardees. Their strength and determination to use their life experience to give back is a testament of their own strong characters, and serve as role models to the whānau and wider community.

Congratulations!