Te Kākano Hou

Continuing Care in the Community

About Te Kākano Hou

Te Kākano Hou is a collaborative service between Te Piki Oranga and Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections).

We assist the successful transition of people (whānau) released from prison into the community, who have completed alcohol and other drugs (AOD) programmes.

To do this, we work with whānau and their families, community groups and probation officers. This can be in-person or online, as one-on-one or in a group.

We also support improved access to AOD, health and social services for people in the care and management of Ara Poutama.

About our name:

Our partnership with Ara Poutama reflects a shared approach to oranga – health.

The names ‘Ara Poutama’ and ‘Hōkai Rangi’ (the department’s strategy for Māori whānau), are metaphors for change, potential and transformation. The name ‘Te Kākano Hou’ also speaks to potential and change.

Range of services

Te Kākano Hou services include:

AOD health literacy
health promotion
screening treatment and recovery
relapse prevention
case management and consultation
liaison, support and referral to other services
review and discharge from Te Kākano Hou

Range of services

The intended outcomes of Te Kākano are:

whānau who have participated in prison AOD programmes (and their whānau) recover and are supported in the community
whānau on community-based sentences gain improved AOD-related health literacy. Their own whānau also have access to health literacy edication, as appropriate.
oranga whānau – healthy whānau
improved access to, and improved range of, AOD support and services for whānau on community-based sentences
a contribution towards a reduction in AOD-related harm.

How to access Te Kākano Hou

There are three referral pathways:

1. Referral by Ara Poutama case workers

this type of referral is for whānau without immediate support in the community
a signed consent form and AOD plan are required

2. Referral by Ara Poutama probation officers

this type of referral can be made online using by REFER
it enables the involvement of probation officers in a whānau member’s transition into the community

3. Self-referral / application