Poutokomanawa
Poutokomanawa: Strong Backs, Soft Hearts, Helping Hands
He ara whakaako mō te pūkenga hinengaro ā-whakaaro mō ngā tamariki.
Poutokomanawa is Momentum Learning’s social-emotional wellbeing programme for tamariki aged 5–12. Rooted in the principles of Partnership, Participation and Protection, this kaupapa supports tamariki, kaiako, and whānau to grow strong from the inside out—nurturing resilience, empathy, self-belief, and emotional intelligence.
Through in-person workshops, whānau hui, and classroom-ready resources, Poutokomanawa weaves together identity, lived experience, and the science of emotional development to build the inner strengths our young people need to thrive—at school, in their relationships, and in life.
Our commitment is threefold:
To equip tamariki with skills to understand and manage their emotions.
To empower kaiako to foster wellbeing and safe relationships in their classrooms.
To uplift whānau with knowledge to support their children’s emotional journeys.
Together, we strengthen the poutokomanawa—the central pillar—of every learner, so they can stand tall, lead with heart, and act with courage.
Outcomes
Through Poutokomanawa, tamariki will be better able to:
Recognise and manage their emotions
Show empathy and connect with others
Communicate clearly and kindly
Solve problems independently
Stand up to bullying and peer pressure
Believe in themselves and their strengths
Kaiako and whānau will also walk away more confident in their ability to nurture these same capabilities in tamariki—creating a shared culture of emotional safety, self-worth, and relational trust.
Who We Are
Poutokomanawa is led by:
Mary-Anne Murphy – NZ Lead Practitioner in Emotional Intelligence, Coach & Educator (RocheMartin)
Emalene Cull – Social-Emotional Intelligence Coach & Primary-Trained Educator (RocheMartin)
Together, they bring decades of experience in educational leadership, emotional wellbeing, and culturally responsive facilitation.