Nobody is hard to reach, it just depends on the approach taken
H2R Research and Consulting Ltd was established to improve outcomes in health and well-being for hard to reach Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. We support this by penetrating, engaging and mobilising hard to reach communities to build hope, raise aspirations and to become self-managing. This work involves thought leadership, building connections with health and social service providers, and helping hard to reach communities design and deliver initiatives and services for themselves.
Community Outreach
Pro-social initiatives in the community
S27 Cultural Reports
For defendants being sentenced in criminal courts
Kahukura
A marae-based
​rehabilitation programme
Research and Resources
An evidence base to mobilise positive change
Family at a hui
Photo by Aaron Smale

Community mobilisation 

The key to transforming communities is to inspire and rebuild hope. People change because they want to change. Our community mobilisation approach for Māori and marginalised groups is utilised to support health and wellbeing initiatives, leadership, education and employment programmes, and to prioritise and strengthen cultural and whānau connections.

Who is hard to reach?
​‘Hard to reach’ whānau have endured intergenerational disadvantage. The trauma Māori and marglinalised groups have experienced alongside a lack of access to services can often lead to a low trust in authority and alienation from mainstream society. Social exclusion has become entrenched over multiple generations and unresolved trauma can be passed down to tamariki and mokopuna.
We're developing an evidence base of what works to mobilise and effect positive change. We have written research articles, delivered guest lectures and worked with universities and research organisations about the social and historical drivers of gang growth in New Zealand and the approaches needed to influence pro-social change. 

Head over to our research and resources page to learn more about our published work. 
Mangu Kaha member
Photo by Aaron Smale from a National Hui held in 2017.

How our work began

Our work started after a drive-by shooting involving rival gangs in Taita, Wellington, in 2014. We were involved in the mediation and outreach process that followed. We have taken the learnings from that to work with hard to reach community leaders, running local and national hui to help them identify and prioritise their aspirations for the future.

In the news
Our work has been reported on by media outlets around the world, including:

Contact us

Get in touch to learn more about our mahi and how we can best support your needs. Simply head over to our contact form or call Harry Tam on +64 (0)27 433 6217.