Hohepa Candles

For over 65 years, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has supported people with intellectual disabilities to live expansive lives. Established in 1956 to support people with intellectual disabilities. Maaka Tibble (Ngāti Porou) speaks of Tāngata Whaikaha as “people with disabilities who are determined in some way to do well and create opportunities for themselves as opposed to being labelled, as in the past.”

In 1956 Hōhepa challenged the prevailing thinking that disabled people should live in an institution. Inspired by the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner the service model was farm-based community living where people could participate, contribute and be who they were. Despite huge change in how disability services are delivered, Hōhepa remains true to its founding purpose.