DIABETES
SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
Supporting whānau to understand, manage, and take control of Type 2 diabetes.
Ko wai mātou?
Diabetes: Your Life, Your Journey
Ngāti Hine Health Trust delivers Diabetes: Your Life, Your Journey (DYLYJ), an evidence‑based, interactive, and culturally grounded 6‑week diabetes self‑management education programme.
This programme helps people gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge to live well with Type 2 diabetes.
What is Diabetes: Your Life, Your Journey?
DYLYJ is a group education programme designed for people with Type 2 diabetes.
It offers:
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A way to learn more about diabetes in clear, simple language
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Practical tools to help manage day‑to‑day lifestyle changes
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A space to set realistic, achievable goals
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An opportunity to meet others and share lived experiences
The course runs for 6 weeks, with one 2‑hour session per week.
Who is the programme for?
Anyone with Type 2 diabetes, newly diagnosed or long‑term, who wants support to better understand and manage their condition.
The programme has been developed and tested with Māori, Pasifika, Indian (with interpreter), and other communities to ensure it is accessible and effective.
What makes this programme different?
The DYLYJ programme is designed for New Zealand communities and focuses on:
Weekly goal‑setting (Weeks 1-6)
Participants set personal goals each week and share their progress at the next session. This encourages accountability, confidence, and motivation.
Co‑facilitated learning
Sessions are led by:
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A Diabetes Community Coordinator and/or trained community layperson
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A Dietitian
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A Clinical Nurse Specialist or Diabetes/Practice Nurse
Where possible:
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Māori groups are facilitated by Māori laypersons
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Pasifika groups are facilitated by Pasifika laypersons
Hands‑on, visual learning tools
The programme uses visual aids and interactive resources to support health literacy and understanding.
Supportive, safe, fun environment
Participants consistently report that the programme is engaging, practical, and enjoyable. Very few people ever withdraw before the end.
Peer support
Participants buddy up early in the programme and often continue supporting one another beyond the course.
What you’ll learn
Across the 6‑week programme, participants explore:
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What Type 2 diabetes is and how it affects the body
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How to read and understand personal lab results
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Food, nutrition, and healthy eating patterns
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Physical activity and daily lifestyle choices
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Medication understanding
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Managing stress and emotional wellbeing
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Creating and achieving SMART goals
Research shows that the benefits of diabetes education can fade after 9 months. To help with this, Diabetes NZ and local teams continue to offer self‑management support after the programme finishes.
Participants can access:
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Follow‑up support
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Community events and workshops
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Ongoing peer connections
How to enrol
Diabetes Self‑Management Education (DYLYJ) is free to attend.
To register or learn more, contact:
Arama Reihana
Email: aramar@diabetes.org.nz
Phone: 027 357 7620
This programme is delivered in partnership with Capital & Coast District Health Board, Tū Ora Compass Health, Otago University, and Diabetes NZ.