Hine

For years, Hine’s sense of wellbeing had almost disappeared. Once a bright, social young woman, her world slowly closed in after the Covid lockdowns. Anxiety took hold, and the thought of leaving the house filled her with fear. By the time she was 22, Hine had spent most of the past five years inside, cut off from friends, school, and everyday life.
Her whānau were caring and patient, but did not know how to help. “I was the smart kid who had it all together,” Hine said. “They didn’t realise how far I’d withdrawn.” The smallest tasks felt overwhelming. “Even going to the supermarket was too much. I’d start to panic. I stopped talking to people.”
That began to change when her dad introduced her to WELLfed. He had attended one of their diabetes courses and thought she might enjoy being part of the programme. “It was terrifying walking through the door that first time,” Hine said. “I cried, it was so overwhelming.”
At WELLfed, she was met with calm, care, and respect. The team focused on what mattered most for her wellbeing, helping her reconnect, rebuild confidence, and make everyday life feel possible again. They helped her enrol for a benefit, register with a GP, and start driving lessons. “They meet me in the middle,” she said. “They give me enough so that I feel like I can do it.”
Cooking became more than learning recipes. It was a way for Hine to rediscover her strengths and contribute to her whānau. “I took the food home, and my mum and sister were so happy. It felt good to be able to help.” Learning about nutrition also made a difference to her physical wellbeing. “I feel more energised now. I’ve been eating more colourful meals, not just rice or bread. It feels good.”
Social connection has been just as powerful. “I thought I’d be stupid or dumb, but it wasn’t like that at all,” she said of her first class. “Everyone was kind. By halfway through, I realised I was fine. I was having fun.”
In just a few weeks, Hine has achieved things she once thought were impossible. She has seen her doctor, connected with Work and Income, created a CV, and begun working towards her driver’s licence. She is building stability, purpose, and community connections, which are key foundations for long-term wellbeing.
“I’ve done more this month than I have in five years,” she said. “For the first time in a long time, I feel like health and normal life are accessible to me. WELLfed met me where I was and helped me take the first steps to help myself. That feels like a dream.”