Our programmes are strengths-based and we intentionally support tāngata whai ora to consider and explore their own recovery resources, or recovery capital.

In practice, this means thinking about and working on the social, personal and community resources that will support your wellbeing. Throughout your time with us, you will learn how these internal and external resources can also support sustained recovery.

We work alongside you to explore your existing strengths and build on these to develop a range of skills that will help you keep on track and move towards the life you want. 

“The programme has given me hope and has given me the tools that I desperately needed and continue to need”

Resident, Te Wairua services

The recovery capital approach provides us with a framework that acknowledges that recovery may start as an individual journey, but it is sustained in the community.

Learn more about Recovery Capital here.

At Odyssey, we recognise and celebrate the importance of cultural identity and connection to support you on your recovery journey.  We know that connections to whānau and whakapapa are key ingredients in successful recovery and we will work with you to explore and develop connections that will support you to move forward in your recovery.

“It made me feel like I was at home.  It helped me to find myself again.  It felt like one family learning together, helping each other.  The support, the unity and strength from the rest of the team was immense.  It made us a little bit closer.”

Participant in Odyssey kapa haka

Here at Odyssey, we all belong to Te Iwi Mātūtū: the recovery community. We believe that diversity is our strength.

We work in partnership with our kaumātua, iwi advisors and mana whenua to ensure our services are culturally responsive and promote social equity. Working collaboratively with whānau, hapū, iwi, and other Māori providers, we ensure that our Māori tāngata whai ora have services to enable them to meet their health and wellbeing goals.

We welcome and apply insights from mātauranga Māori in our services and actively support tāngata whai ora to reconnect with their culture. We draw on Māori holistic models and wellness approaches in all our work and across all levels of the organisation. 

In partnership with Ngāti Whātua o Ōrakei, we have developed and embedded tikanga Māori practices across our organization. Led by our Cultural Advisor, we all take responsibility for working with tāngata whai ora in a culturally responsive way. All kaimahi participate in training to understand and apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their work and all kaimahi are encouraged to develop competency in te reo Māori and broaden their understanding of Te Ao Māori. 

Development of this kaupapa is informed by tāngata whai ora and wider organisational and sector feedback. Through continuous feedback, we are able to continue making improvements to meet the needs of Māori at Odyssey, both kaimahi and tāngata whai ora.

We will support you to reflect on and explore your connections to Te Ao Māori and how this relationship can support you in your recovery. Our long-established kapa haka, waiata and other tikanga practices such as whakatau and whakawhānaungatanga reinforce this connection in your everyday, not just in formal learning while you stay with us.

“It took a while to get into it at first, but in the end, it was great. It helped me feel like I had some mana. Helped me release emotions I had during the day.”

Māori resident

Our Māori Health Strategy, He Rautaki Hauora Māori, guides our commitment to achieving pae ora - holistic health and wellbeing for Māori.

Our approach strengthens mauri ora (individual wellbeing), whānau ora (family wellbeing) and wai ora (healthy environments). We bring Mātauranga Māori and tikanga into our everyday practice and use Māori models of health to support equitable outcomes for Māori.

Our strategy is brought to life through practical actions such as embedding tikanga Māori and cultural safety across the organisation while providing Odyssey kaimahi opportunities to learn about and integrate hauora Māori models of care. This work is led by our Pou Matua, supported by our Executive Leadership Team, and guided by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and the Odyssey Board.

We are committed to serving Pacific families in a culturally responsive way to improve outcomes and promote health and long-term wellbeing.

Pacific core values of kāinga/kōpu tangata/vuvale/magafaoa/āiga (family), fa’aaloalo/faka’apa’apa/vakarokoroko (respect), tautua/fatongia/veiqaravi (service/reciprocity/ responsibility), alofa/‘ofa/aroha/fakaalofa/loloma (love) and spirituality align with our Odyssey pillars of love, concern, honesty, responsibility and trust. These shared values shape the way we work alongside Pacific families, recognising the importance of family, culture, relationships and spirituality in supporting people through our services.

Established in 2011, Vaiola is one of longest running internal groups in Odyssey. It is a monthly space where tāngata whai ora from across our residential services gather to learn, practice and celebrate the uniqueness and cultural practices of the Pacific cultures.

In 2026 we proudly launched Odyssey's ‘Niu’ Pacific Strategy, reflecting our commitment to strengthening the way we walk alongside Pacific tāngata whai ora and their whānau. It provides a shared direction for how we can continue to grow culturally responsive, equitable and person-centred practice across our organisation.

The people and communities we work with are diverse, and it is important to us that our services reflect that. We are continuing to strengthen the cultural capability of our kaimahi and develop approaches that respond to the needs and experiences of the communities we support, including Māori, Pacific, Asian, migrant and refugee communities.

We work alongside each person to understand what matters to them, recognising their culture, identity, strengths and goals.

We can also help connect tāngata whai ora and their whānau with other providers and community organisations when additional support is needed.

Odyssey’s Rainbow Tick accreditation guides our work with gender diverse and LGBTTQI lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takatāpui, queer and intersex populations. Rainbow Tick is a Continuous Quality Initiative which includes ensuring policies and practice across the organisation are Rainbow inclusive. We have developed LGBTTQI/Rainbow competencies as part of a wider workforce development framework and these form part of core training and orientation for all new employees.

We embrace the Rainbow Tick principles of LGBTTQI-inclusive practice:

• Affirmation – affirm the dignity and value of LGBTTQI people’s sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.

• Freedom from discrimination – ensure LGBTTQI people live their lives free from discrimination.

• Access and equity – provide LGBTTQI-inclusive services.

We believe connection and wellbeing matter at work too. Throughout the year, we create opportunities for kaimahi to come together, celebrate and support each other.

Our events calendar includes occasions such as Matariki, Pink Shirt Day, Mental Health Awareness Week and our Christmas celebration, alongside other cultural and team events. These are opportunities to connect with colleagues across the wider organisation, reflect on what matters to us and take a break from our day-to-day activities.

We also provide access to confidential counselling and support through Vitae, helping kaimahi look after their wellbeing when they need it.