In March 2021, individuals who had whakapapa connections to Mangatoatoa and Ngāti Maniapoto and were academics from Te Herenga Waka: Victoria University of Wellington were approached to undertake a study that explored the social and cultural outcomes that have been achieved by the approach taken by Pūniu River Care. The overarching goal of this study was to understand how having a marae-based organisation who are tasked with improving the health and wellbeing of our tupuna awa also impacted on the health and wellbeing of the kaitiaki and those who interact with PRC.