Hohepa

For over 65 years, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has supported people with intellectual disabilities to live expansive lives.
Founded in 1956 as a charitable trust, Hōhepa was established to challenge the prevailing idea that people with disabilities should live in institutions. Inspired by the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner, the founding model was farm-based community living, where people could participate, contribute, and be wholly themselves.

Every life fully lived.
Today, Hōhepa continues to uphold its vision of “every life fully lived.” The focus is on caring, sharing and creating communities of support where individual paths can unfold. Working closely with tāngata whaikaha and their whānau, Hōhepa is committed to supporting people not just to live, but to thrive. As Maaka Tibble (Ngāti Porou) describes, tāngata whaikaha are “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.”

True to its purpose.
While the delivery of disability services has evolved, Hōhepa remains true to its founding values: emphasising the abilities and uniqueness of every individual, building communities of belonging, and ensuring that lives are not just supported but enriched. Alongside compliance with all disability sector standards, the organisation continues to seek transformation, always guided by compassion, respect and vision.