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Whakapapa
It was back in the late 1980s when Dr Papārangi Reid, Tāwhao Tioke and the late Dr Eru Pōmare began discussions to form a national organisation that would service a rising need to improve heart health amongst Māori. And so in October 1989 Te Hotu Manawa Māori was formed under the umbrella of the National Heart Foundation(NHF) delivering the services Auahi Kore (Smokefree), Kai o Te Hauora (Nutrition), Kirika Rumatiki (Rheumatic fever).
It was Tūhoe kaumatua Tāwhao Tioke who gave the organisation the name Te Hotu Manawa Māori (THMM). The word Hotu refers to a particular sob or cry that characterised traditional Māori singing and the word Manawa refers to THMM's focus - Māori heart health.
THMM then decided it needed to branch out and so in September 1997, Te Hotu Manawa Māori registered as an Incorporated Society and became an independent national organisation. In its early years of independence THMM remained in the NHF building, however in May 2005 to reinforce its autonomous identity THMM moved to the D72 Building in Dominion Road, Mt Eden.
 The services have changed a little from the early days and now include Auahi kore (Smokefree), Kai Tōtika me Whakapakari Tinana (Nutrition and Physical Activity), Aukati Kaipaipa (Smoking Cessation) and the development of He Whakamārama mō te Tiaki Manawa o Aotearoa (Heart Guide Aotearoa). Tō Tātou Kaitiaki Since THMM’s inception a prominent figure has maintained an important presence. The Tekoteko figure carved by Rangi Skipper represents the bi-cultural relationship between the National Heart Foundation and Te Hotu Manawa Māori.
The Tekoteko figure is neither man nor woman, but symbolises te Tāngata (the people).
In recognition of the cultural difference between the two peoples, one side has been carved with the traditional moko and the other side left free. This is to reinforce the importance of people working together towards a common goal and that neither can achieve it in isolation of the other.
The Pacific Nation has been included in the carving on the European side with the Aonui design (triangular formation). The National Heart Foundation is committed to improving the heart health of Pacific Island Peoples also.
The centre feature represents the mauri (life force) and its flow through to the heart.
When Te Hotu Manawa Māori moved it was decided that the tekoteko remain at the National Heart foundation building as a symbol of the strength of the relationship that both organisations still enjoy.
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