Mō Mātou
About Us
Tō Mātou Hītori
Our History
Āwhinatia, the Sheralyn Tipene-Weepers Charitable Trust, was founded to honour the life and legacy of Sheralyn Kiri Weepers (née Tipene), a passionate advocate for Māori education, health equity, and social justice. Sheralyn dedicated her life to serving her whānau and community, working tirelessly to uplift and empower those around her.
Her journey took a heartbreaking turn when she faced systemic barriers in the New Zealand healthcare system after being diagnosed with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). Despite her determination to seek treatment, she encountered inequities that ultimately forced her to leave her homeland in search of care. Sheralyn’s avoidable and premature passing in 2023 highlighted the urgent need for systemic change. Her legacy lives on through Āwhinatia, ensuring her mission to support and advocate for whānau continues.
Tō Mātou Moemoeā
Our Vision
We envision a society where indigenous health equity is prioritised, barriers to access are eliminated, and individuals can exercise their mana motuhake—their right to self-determination—to lead healthy lives with dignity and support. We aim to drive systemic change that ensures Māori and other underserved communities receive equitable healthcare and opportunities for wellness.
Tō Mātou Aronga Our Purpose
Through our programs and initiatives, we:
WHAKAAKO
EDUCATE
Raise awareness about cardiovascular health and health inequities.
WHAKAMANA EMPOWER
Equip individuals, whānau, and communities with knowledge and resources to take charge of their well-being.
WERO
CHALLENGE
Advocate for systemic change in healthcare policies, practices and funding to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori and other high-priority health groups.
Tō Mātou Whanonga Pono
Our Values
Our work is grounded in four core values:
1 / Mana Motuhake
Self-determination and autonomy, ensuring whānau have control over their health and well-being.
2 / Whanaungatanga
Building strong, reciprocal relationships with communities and fostering collective support.
3 / Manaakitanga
Upholding respect, dignity, and care for all individuals, ensuring culturally safe environments.
4 / Mōhiotanga
Sharing and valuing knowledge, promoting education, and empowering communities to make informed decisions.
Tā Mātou Mahi Our Work
We take a multi-pronged approach to addressing health inequities, with a focus on:
Whānau & Service users
Delivering culturally empowering health screening days to increase health awareness and early intervention.
Practitioners & Professionals
Enhancing cultural competency among
healthcare providers and fostering reciprocal knowledge-sharing between
patients and professionals.
Policy Change
Advocating for inclusive, evidence-based policies that prioritise and adequately fund indigenous health and provide equitable healthcare access.
Whakauruuru Mai
Join Us
Sheralyn often encouraged her whānau with the word “Āwhinatia”—to help, support, and uplift others. We invite you to join us in this mission, ensuring that her
spirit of advocacy, service and impacting people for the better lives on.
Together, we can create a future where all communities receive the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve.
Contact us today to learn how you can be part
of the movement.