Empowering whānau with wellbeing

By Tāwhaki Simons – Kaiārahi Hōtaka, Cancer Society (Nelson and Motueka)

In October, Te Piki Oranga collaborated with the Cancer Society to host a whānau wellbeing day in Ōmaio (Stoke). Here is Tāwhaki Simons’ pakiwaitara:

Tāne Matua, Tāne-nui-a-Rangi, Tāne Whakapiripiri, whakarongo mai, whakarongo mai

Nāu i wehe ngā mātua, nāu ko te rā, nāu ko te pō Nāu i whakairi te whānau mārama, nāu ko te awatea Nāu i tiki atu ngā mātauranga, nāu ko te wānanga Nāu i pupuhi te hauora, nāu ko te tangata

Nāu ahau, nāu ahau Tīhei Mauri Ora!

The kaupapa of this day was to empower whānau by providing them with the opportunity to whakarongo, kōrero and connect around their hauora.

Kaumātua, rangatahi and tamariki, tāne and wāhine were offered information about services and support. A fun icebreaker quiz incorporated serious and relevant messaging about prevention, and giveaways also reinforced positive health messages.

Noi Burgess, Kaituhituhi Matepukupuku, spoke about the cancer support services offered by Te Piki Oranga. The highlight of the day was rangatira Te Ururoa Flavell’s kōrero about his haerenga with prostate cancer – his passion for life was inspiring to all in attendance.

Te Ururoa spoke engagingly about the emotional rollercoaster of receiving a cancer diagnosis, going through treatment and his willingness to throw everything at his illness for the sake of his whānau.

He passionately implored tāne to be proactive with their hauora and have regular check-ups. “It’s about relationships,” Te Ururoa emphasised. “When we’re not well, it impacts the whole whānau!”

The feedback from whānau was very positive:

• “It was good to talk to another tāne with the same cancer”

• “We need more of these sorts of events to keep people talking and thinking about their health for their whānau’s sake”

• “The manaakitanga and kai were amazing”

• “I actually only came for a kai with my whānau but ended up taking away some things to think about”

One tāne told me a few days later that his wife had insisted on him getting a prostate specific antigen test after listening to Te Ururoa’s kōrero.

Photos above: Kaimahi and whānau in attendance

Te Ururoa Flavell gave inspirational cancer kōrero

Te Puāwai he Kākano: Pēpi Pākohe and In-home Immunisation

By Lovey Elkington - Pūkenga Manaaki Te Puāwai he Kākano

Pēpi Pākohe – raising confident and resilient pēpi

Our Pēpi Pākohe rōpū (parents’ group) was started in response to whānau feeling isolated and wanting to meet other whānau in similar, or not so similar, circumstances.

Te Piki Oranga provides the space, kai, resources and facilitators for each fortnightly Pēpi Pākohe session. We lead karakia, waiata and whakawhānaungatanga, and whānau share pānui and mātauranga.

In one rōpū session we learned to make poi and sing ‘E Rere Taku Poi’. Plans for future Pēpi Pākohe sessions include CPR training, sharing local iwi pūrākau and mahi toi. Watch this space…Mātakitaki mai e te whānau!

Tūpuna Parenting

The Tamariki Ora team completed the ‘Tūpuna Parenting’ course this year, via online study and culminating in a two-day noho at Takahanga Marae in Kaikōura.

Tūpuna parenting looks at the parenting practices of our tūpuna and mātauranga in use before colonisation. We learned that we are ‘Born Tapu and all Born with Mana’. Our team felt empowered and ready to share this mātauranga with whānau, to uplift them and enhance positive practices already taking place in their whare.

By Marissa Pou - Kano Kano Kaituitui, Te Puāwai he Kākano

Melissa Pou with pēpi, Jacob, during a home visit with māmā Regina.

Taking the stress out of immunisation for whānau

Te Puāwai he Kākano offers immunisation (vaccination) for hapū māmā, pepi and tamariki and other whānau.

Through immunising against viruses like influenza and diseases such as measles, we can provide the greatest protection for pēpi, tamariki, their whānau and hāpori.

We are proud to offer in-home immunisation services for whānau where they feel safe, less pressured and where there is time to kōrero. We build whanaungatanga as pēpi grows and is due their next immunisation, and we provide catch-up immunisation for tamariki (such as immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella).

Whānau are grateful that we come to their whare, taking the hassle out of the process, and offering a friendly service if they are not able to see their regular GP. Being at home means a remarkable decrease in crying and unsettledness for pēpi after vaccination.

This is important because when whānau have had a positive experience they are more likely to continue with the immunisation schedule, or ask for a catch-up vaccine they have missed earlier for a variety of reasons.

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Meet the IT team

By Mike Fulop - Kaitohu Huhangarau (IT Manager)

Information technology (IT) plays a crucial role in healthcare, enabling efficient whānau management, data sharing and improved decision-making. Mike gives us an overview of the past year in IT:

In the constantly evolving world of technology, the unwavering support of our Tumuaki and the board has been vital to the success of our IT department.

Their dedication and commitment to fostering innovation have empowered me and my team to streamline our operations and ensure we stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Making strategic investments in state-of-the-art technologies and implementing robust security measures has been essential to safeguard our data and digital assets, and maintain the integrity of our systems.

From left: Jay Jahnke, Mike Fulop and Rachelle Tauroa

Above: A summary of Te Piki Oranga investments in IT infrastructure, time and expertise to improve our IT environment this year.

Mana Wāhine is making a difference

By Lorraine Staunton - Kaiwhakahaere Rātonga (Service Delivery Manager)

Mana Wāhine hauora days for women have grown from strength to strength again this year. Here is Lorraine’s pakiwaitara:

Te Piki Oranga Cancer Care team hosted our Mana Wāhine hauora day in December, in partnership with kaimahi from Te Whatu Ora Public Health Service, Nelson Bays Primary Health and Nelson Tasman Pasifika Trust.

The day was an opportunity for wāhine Māori and Pasifika to get up to date with their cervical screening. We completed almost all booked appointments, rescheduling times for wāhine who couldn’t make it.

Our immunisation team attended with the nursing team, providing immunisation to tamariki, wāhine and hapū māmā. Each wahine recieved a kai or petrol voucher, a sunscreen pack, a kai pack and a gift they chose for themselves (some donated by local businesses).

We were very appreciative of Bunnings Nelson, which donated a lovely gift basket, and to Sealord, which donated kaimoana and funds to transport wāhine to the event.

The day ran at a comfortable and relaxed pace, giving wāhine lots of time to have a kōrero with nurses about their health. One of the successes of the Mana Wāhine model of care is the health kōrero that results in wāhine asking to be referred into services such as Te Hā (smokefree), Tamariki Ora and cancer screening.

Photo captions, clockwise from top left:

• Kai basket and giveaways to make the day even more enjoyable

• Lorraine Staunton undertakes a health check with a Mana Wāhine participant

• Hamish Brown receiving a donation of kaimoana from Sealord’s Annabel Scaife

• One of the wonderful wāhine who attended Mana Wāhine

Whānau feedback about Mana Wāhine hauora days

• “When you walked in it looked like Christmas. They had a table with prizes that the wāhine could choose from, a bit like a lucky dip.”

•  “Kai parcels, some feminine hygiene products and sunscreen were given to whānau.”

•  “Overall, it was another great Mana Wāhine day.”  “It was an inviting experience, they made it better than going to a GP.”

•  “Everyone is super lovely and made me feel comfortable.”

•  “Being able to share and speak about my medical worries with the nurse today was awesome.”

•  “Just to have caring people listen and give advice and not feel ashamed in sharing.”

•  “Friendliness of the staff made me feel less worried and much more confident.”

•  “Being able to chat with the nurse was very helpful and have the time to chat was valuable.”

•  “The service was amazing, informed me of everything very thoroughly.”

•  “Keep striving forward wāhine ma for our Māori health and wellbeing, this was such an awesome experience.”

•  “Was an easy nice way to do health checks.”

Lets kōrero about what matters most

By Tania Smith - Kaiāwhina / Kaiatawhi (Community and service support / Health promotion and prevention)

A warm welcome from Summer Stronach (left) and Marissa Pou.

Hauora days held at Franklyn Village gave whānau an opportunity to kōrero freely about their hauora and wellbeing. Here is Tania’s pakiwaitara:

We have recently had the privilege of hosting two ‘Kia Piki tō Ora’ hauora days for Franklyn Village whānau.

The kaupapa for the first event was to invite kōrero about ‘what matters the most when it comes to your hauora’. This was informative kaupapa for whānau engagement with whakawhanaungatanga. A good group of whānau participated, asking questions and enjoying the spot prizes and kai at the end.

The kaupapa for the second event was to manaaki whānau with clear hauora information. We did this ‘expo-style’ with stalls for immunisation, cancer screening, diabetes, smokefree, nutrition and more.

It was encouraging to see a good number of whānau attend and fabulous kōrero happening. Kaimahi made it enjoyable for whānau, enabling them time to engage and enjoy the process and kōrero.

We received enquiries and follow-ups, including referrals into services such as cancer screening and Te Hā – quit smoking services. We plan to make hauora days in regular event in 2025.

Whānau feedback about Kia Piki tō Ora hauora days

• “Franklyn Village is based purely on the idea of being a village and people like you and people like us is what makes it a community, so kia ora and thank you so much, it has been really enjoyable.”

• “I think it’s good we’ve got these sorts of services, there’s nothing out there like this for us doing it hard. One of the things we’ve got here is a community and you guys (TPO) are part of that community so the more we see your faces the more we’ll consider you as family. A lot of us get very whakamā and we shouldn’t because it’s about our wellbeing, so having these things encourages us to ask for help.”

Photo captions:

• Left: Maria Briggs (left) and Naomi Johnson kōrero with whānau

• Riht: From left, Naomi Johnson, Hamish Brown and Noi Burgess.

Helping our hapori

Te Piki Oranga kaimahi combined forces with Māori Wardens and volunteer Fire Brigade staff to support the 18th annual Marlborough Foodbank Street Appeal on 25 November.

Crews of drivers, walkers and packers followed the fire truck sirens around the streets, collecting food and monetary donations from the community.

It was wonderful to see children waiting patiently for the fire engine to come into their street, handing over their donations, getting a wave and a burst of the siren in reward.

The generosity of the Marlborough community will once again assist those affected by the cost of living crisis.

Photo captions: Left: Teanna Scoon (aka ‘Speed runner’) and right, the A-team combining forces to collect kai donations for food bank.

Self-expression through mahi toi

By Karena Martin - Pūkenga Manaaki (Mental Health)

For Mental Health Awareness Week in September, CARE Marlborough hosted an exhibition of mahi toi (artwork) made by its members – one of whom is Te Piki Oranga whānau Hinekura Omapii. Here is Karena’s pakiwaitara:

Hinekura has found art an excellent way to express herself. She says that creating her mixed-media piece, ‘Tapu Pounamu Taonga’, using clay and harakeke helped her “process grief in a healthy, gentle way”.

This was the first public exhibition that Hinekura has taken part in, and she now has the confidence to further extend her abilities.

Hinekura returned here from the North Island after about 14 years. She was previously my client and she remembered me and re-engaged once reinstated at Witherlea House in 2023.

Hinekura found out about CARE Marlborough via Witherlea House and joined not long after she came to Blenheim. She is a ‘joiner’ and likes to learn new skills.

Hinekura is involved with a few services locally and appreciates the kindness and mahi done on her behalf. In turn, we enjoy her company, independence and the hard work she does to achieve her goals.

Photo captions: Hinekua Omapii with her mahi toi ‘Tapu Pounamu Taonga’, made of clay and harakeke.

Kōrero mai: Introducing Alaine Huata

A Q&A with Alaine Huata, Kaiwhakahaere Hinengaro (Mental Health and AoD Service Manager)

Kia ora Alaine, can you share your pepeha with us?

Ko Whakapunake te maunga

Ko te Waiau me Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōngenengene Matangirau ngā awa

Ko Takatimu te waka

Ko Ramoto Kireara te marae

Ko Te Poho o Rākaihākeke te urupā Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi

Ko Ngāti Mihi rāua ko Ngāti Pāhauwera nga hapū

Ko Alaine Huata ahau.

What has your journey been to this role with Te Piki Oranga?

I have worked in mental health and addictions since the late 1990’s when I graduated from the Christchurch Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Nursing.

Prior to this I travelled overseas, with no qualifications, and realised I needed a career that would help me continue to travel. Little did I know, this idea would lead me to a lifelong career in health and wellbeing and walking alongside others.

I joined the ranks as a new graduate on the NESP programme (New Entrant Specialist Program) for mental health, and haven’t looked back. I’ve worked in many areas: acute mental health, community care management, rangatahi and tamariki mental health and older persons’ care.

It was when I started working alongside kaimahi who support whānau that my passion for a whānau-centred approach pulled me towards organisations like Te Piki Oranga.

What is it like being a Kaiwhakahaere Hinengaro and a mental health clinical specialist in general?

Nothing has changed about who I am, rather I have been given the privilege to be a kaitiaki for this treasured space that whānau pass through at various stages. This role feels like a natural progression.

He whakaaro on how your mahi aligns to Te Piki Oranga kitenga – Me whakahaumanu te mana o te whānau ā, ka haere whakamua (revitalise whānau for their future)?

Integrating Māori values and practices into my work helps me stay focused on what matters. Restoring and maintaining cultural identity and mana of whānau is always in the forefront of my mind. This cultural connection is crucial for whānau sense of belonging and ongoing growth.

Is kaupapa Māori mental health and wellbeing a good career for rangatahi to consider when leaving kura? There are endless opportunities in this line of work and in a hugely rewarding kaupapa. Being relatable and having a good attitude can be the start of anyone’s career in this area.

Te Puāwai he Kākano - a new era in maternity and early years services

By Cathleen Walker, Pūkenga Kaiwhakahaere Te Puāwai he Kākano

“Poipoia te kākano, kia puāwai
- Nurture the seed and it will blossom
”

This year, Te Piki Oranga was awarded a major new contract to provide maternity and early years services. Te Puāwai he Kākano is currently available to whānau in Whakatū / Nelson, described here by Cathleen Walker:

Te Puāwai he Kākano was created by integrating existing services and weaving through a new model of care where we engage with whānau throughout their journey into parenthood and for their child’s first 2,000 days.

Critically, our service is grounded in Te Ao Māori. Our multi-disciplinary teams offer culturally responsive care – from preconception to conception, from antenatal to postnatal support. By building relationships with midwives and lead maternity carers (LMCs), we can enrol whānau, and start to support them, early in their pregnancy. We offer:

• Wānanga Hapūtanga

•  Tamariki Ora Well Child services  Lactation consultancy

•  In-home immunisation

•  Te Hā Aukati Kaipaipa (smokefree support)

•  Social work and pūkenga manaaki navigation  

• Gestational diabetes services

Cathleen Walker

Wānanga Hapūtanga – kaupapa Māori antenatal classes

An exciting new option for expectant whānau, our wānanga provide māmā and pāpā or support partner with a blend of knowledge about contemporary and traditional Māori birthing practices.

Wānanga Hapūtanga are led by our antenatal educators, experienced midwives, nurses and whānau navigators.

We create a safe and intimate space for whānau to learn and explore the processes of birthing and parenting practice, with a focus on the early days.

Whānau get to meet the amazing kaimahi available to support their parenting journey, from hapūtanga until their tamariki is five years old.

We are fortunate to have a team of wonderful kairaranga who attend our wānanga to share their expertise and mātauranga by teaching whānau to create their own muka-aho tāngaengae, ties made from harakeke to tie off the umbilical cord of pēpi.

Elevating antenatal options for whānau Māori with wānanga for midwives and LMCs.

Through Te Puāwai he Kākano, Te Piki Oranga can also support the professional development of midwives and lead maternity carers (LMCs) in the Whakatū rohe.

Just as our Wānanga Hapūtanga are a safe and intimate space for whānau to learn and explore, our Wānanga Muka-aho Tāngaengae are a nurturing space for midwives and LMCs to learn the tradition of muka-aho tāngaengae (ties made from harakeke), and how to use them to tie off the umbilical cord between pēpi and māmā.

The first Tāngaengae Wānanga this year was a significant event – the first of its type for Whakatū.

As more whānau choose to make muka-aho tāngaengae part of their birth plans, the knowledge these wānanga provide midwives and LMCs means that these amazing healthcare professionals can then correctly awhi whānau to make it happen.

Ngā mihi Brittany – Rhodes Scholar

Brittany Dick is a taituarā (administrator) with Te Puāwai He Kākano at our Waimeha health hub. In November she was awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Brittany is one of three exceptional university students from Aotearoa New Zealand to be awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship this year.

She is the fourth Māori scholar, among 250 scholars from Aotearoa in total, to be named a Rhodes Scholar in the past 120 years.

Established in 1903, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship programme, bringing outstanding young people together from around the world to study at the University of Oxford in England.

As a Rhodes Scholar, Brittany joins an elite group that includes American politician James Fulbright, renowned astronomer Edwin Hubble and, in New Zealand, Bryan Gould (former MP and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato) and Merata Wheturangi Kawharu, known for her work in education and her family's significant connections to Oxford University.

A valued kaimahi with Te Piki Oranga

Tumuaki Anne Hobby says that she is delighted for Brittany and her whānau, as are the many hoamahi Brittany works with at Te Piki Oranga.

“These scholarships are highly coveted and the Rhodes selection panel, chaired by the Governor-Dame Cindy Kiro, undertakes an incredibly robust process to select the best ākonga to represent Aotearoa.

“Ākonga have to excel academically but they are also selected for their leadership, personality and potential to make this world a better place,” Anne says.

Introducing Brittany

The following haurongo (biography) was first published on the Rhodes Trust website and has been edited here.

Brittany Dick’s (Kāi Tahu) passion for storytelling in the indigenous world has taken her to seven countries during her undergraduate degree to seek out indigenous voices and stories.

She graduated from Minerva University in San Francisco, USA, with a Bachelor of Arts in Historical Forces and Arts and Literature. While studying, Brittany has worked for Te Piki Oranga and Te Korowai Manaakitanga Trust.

In her mahi with Te Piki Oranga, Brittany applies the knowledge gained during her undergraduate dissertation on Māori pregnancy and childbirth traditions to her mahi with Wānanga Hapūtanga and Well Child Tamariki Ora services.

At Oxford University, Brittany intends to continue uplifting indigenous voices from the past by studying history from a Māori perspective.

Brittany receiving her scholarship from Governor-General Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro.

Tēnā koe e te whānau: By Isla Taunoa, TPO Board Director

By Islan Taunoa, new Te Piki Oranga board director

Ko Tutumapo, ko Hikurangi ngā maunga

Ko Te Hoiere, ko Waiapu ngā awa Ko Te Hoiere, ko Horouta ngā waka

Ko Te Hora Pa, ko Hinemauria ngā marae

Ko Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toarangatira ki Wairau, ko Kāi Tahu ngā iwi

Ko Isla Taunoa tōku ingoa

I was born and bred in Wairau and on my father's side, (Walker whānau) I whakapapa to Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Toarangatira (ki Wairau), Ngāti Koata and Kāi Tahu. On my mother's side, (Keelan whānau, Uawa) I am Ngāti Porou.

I am a proud mother of two grown sons and beautiful 15-year-old twin daughters.

I have a career background in social work, mental health and nursing. In my late 30s I lived in Porirua and studied as a mature student, graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing Māori from Whitireia Polytechnic. I also studied law and political science for awhile.

I am a registered Māori nurse and currently work in clinical nurse lead roles with the Hauora Māori team at Marlborough Primary Health Organisation, in Blenheim.

Before this, I worked for Corrections in both the men’s and women’s prisons, holding the Māori health portfolio and advocating for Māori health initiatives.

At one stage I was the Corrections NZ Māori Nurse Representative for Te Waipounamu in a nationwide rōpū of Māori Corrections nurses.

I was a New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union representative for three years. And recently I was elected Chair of Te Runanga (Māori Nurses) Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui, for the NZNO.

In addition to this role I am currently on the executive boards for Ngāti Toa Rangatira ki Wairau, and the Cancer Society (Wairau).

I feel privileged and honoured to be representing Ngāti Kuia on the Executive Board of Directors for Te Piki Oranga.

Ngā mihi mahana, Isla Whainoa Taunoa

Meri Kirihimete and useful contacts over our closure period

Kia ora e te whānau, this Thursday (19.12.2024) will be our last day of mahi for a couple of weeks. We are closed from Friday 20th December 2024 through till Sunday 5th January 2025, re-opening on Monday 6th January 2025.

Below are some useful conatcts and links should you need them.

• Community Pharmacy opening hours, services etc. Pharmacy • Nelson Marlborough • Healthpoint 

• GPs /Accident & Urgent Medical Care GPs / Accident & Urgent Medical Care • Nelson Marlborough • Healthpoint

• Immunisation providers Immunisation • Nelson Marlborough • Healthpoint
  

For up-to-date local heathcare provider information visit HealthPoint www.healthpoint.co.nz 

There are various ways to search for information on the site: key search terms, tick or drop boxes, geographical location, or by "open now".

Matariki shines bright again

By Rachelle Tauroa – Mātanga Hangarau

Whaea Jane du Feu at Matariki 2024.

This year our Waimeha team hosted Matariki for kaimahi. We started the day at the Nelson Provincial Museum to immerse ourselves in the ‘Te Tuhi o te Whenua: Pakohe Unearthed’ exhibition.

Pakohe (or argillite) is a Ngāti Kuia and Te Tauihu taonga and this was the first time pakohe has been publicly celebrated locally. The exhibition was fascinating on many levels – from learning about the whakapapa of trading pakohe, to the artisans of taonga and seeing the taonga from across the motu in one place.

The cariation (colours) in the stone are amazing and seeing pakohe under the microscope – it almost looks alive! I loved the stunning, contemporary uses of pakohe in jewellery and sculptural art, such as an axe made entirely of pakohe.

After the exhibition the team headed to the Trafalgar Centre, by the awa Mahitahi (Maitai) for lunch. We were welcomed in with a karanga from whaea Jane du Feu with Gaynor Rikihana-Tākao responding followed by a waerea (a protection karakia). Then we had kai, presentations, performances and cake cutting.

At ‘Te Tuhi o te Whenua: Pakohe Unearthed’ exhibition.

Noho marae wānanga a time for kaimahi to reflect and learn

By Rachelle Tauroa – Mātanga Hangarau (Technical Support & Comms Specialist)

Kaimahi had two valuable development opportunities recently, where ariki (teachers) and ākonga (students) shared kōrero and experiences.

A deep dive into big topics

Two ‘nation building’ wānanga were held in August for kaimahi, at the Headingly Centre in Whakatū (Nelson) and at Waikawa Marae in Waitohi (Picton).

Te Ururoa Flavell (right) was compelling in his kōrero

These were noho marae-style, where we stayed together for a two-day immersion in the wānanga delivered by Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Hurihanganui.

The focus was on Te Tiriti o Waitangi vs the Treaty of Waitangi and on the impacts of colonisation and racism. What I got from this wānanga was a deeper understanding and insight into how things played out from the day Captain Cook arrived to now, and how that has shaped so much of where we are as Māori today.

It was two full-on days with a lot to unpack, and gave lots of food for thought on what the next steps might look like and what can I do.

One of my key learnings was that you can’t do it alone – take others along on your journey. It’s about education and understanding and if we can do that in a clear but respectful way then we are heading in the right direction. Doing nothing is not an option.

Kaimahi engaged in intense listening, discussion and activities to bring learning to life.

Hard mahi making a difference for Te Ata Pūao whānau

By Karipa Akuhata, Alcohol and other Drugs Clinician, Te Ata Pūao

A service for whānau experiencing mild to moderate mental health and /or addictions needs, Te Ata Pūao is making many positive differences to people’s lives.

The past few months have been productive for both kaimahi and whānau in this service, and we have opened a second Te Ata Pūao group.

One activity enjoyed by all was a wānanga to teach the tikanga and karakia for harvesting harakeke and raranga (weaving). Te Ata Pūao embraced the whānau principles of harakeke where the rito (baby) leaf needs the mātua (parent) leaves. This is why we only harvest the tupuna leaves (outer leaves) to protect the harakeke whānau.

In raranga, Te Ata Pūao engaged in the therapy of weaving wrist bands. The attention to detail and patience required for weaving reiterated the care required to ensure whānau wellbeing.

Another activity for Te Ata Pūao whānau was the Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa (nationals). Whānau described this as an emotional experience, to see our culture expressed on stage by our rangatahi.

We visited an exhibition of pakohe at Nelson Provincial Museum – toi Māori (Māori arts) connecting whānau to our culture and resonating with therapy. And on a sunny Nelson winter’s day, a group went to Te Taero a Kereopa (Nelson Boulder Bank), learning pūrākau from the haukāinga.

Whānau often find ways to grow with Te Ata Pūao. Some have requested referrals for te reo Māori courses, and others for counselling and toi Māori wānanga.

Te Ata Pūao kaimahi at Matariki celebrations. From left, Alaine Huata, Sonny Alesana, Lauren Sainty, Bruce Buckley Akuhata, Rachelle Tauroa, Tuku Reihana, Tere Taukamo, Karipa Akuhata.

Inspirational whānau stories

Whānau stories about their wellness journey with Te Ata Pūao are a glimpse into this life-changing service. The stories on this page have been shared with Te Ata Pūao kaimahi and retold here by Tere Taukamo.

One tane is working part-time on a fishing boat enjoying the energy of Tangaroa. He has become more confident in his own abilities, all the while not so afraid of his inabilities and able to ask for support when feelings of inability become apparent.

With a history of homelessness for several years, this tane has been accepted into the Blenheim Housing First Programme and for the first time feels hope about being a productive and acceptable member of society. He has passed a six-month milestone of total abstinence from all mind and mood-altering substances.

This tane has become confident in his Māoritanga and has learned karakia for specific rituals (and is still learning). On occasion he has filled the paepae when doing smaller pōwhiri / mihi whakatau. His mind has become more focused on wellness and his body is aimed at hauora through the gym, pools and mahi rākau – mau rākau and mahi for pūtea and for mahi aroha, volunteering with our kuia and koroua at Noho Pakari.

Another tane has returned to his tribal area and resumed his job as a independent courier driver. He reports that Te Ata Pūao groupwork has been significant in showing him “possibilities”.

This tane reports that the time, support and teachings caused him to realise that getting back into his life was possible. He had the foresight to ask if he could postpone his discharge from Te Ata Pūao for a couple of weeks in case he needed extra support. He was ready to leave soon after and has been discharged.

One wahine has pursued te reo and mau rākau as a passion and a future. She and her children are doing well, and she feels like she has achieved her goals as a single mum and found her niche in life with something worthwhile to nurture, teach and grow her children.

This wahine and her 12-year-old son have been attending a community mau rākau group (at Pou Rua level). She and her 13-year-old son have been put forward for grading through Te Whare Tū Taua in the near future.

This is a huge achievement, and she will be among the first females to achieve Pou Tahi status in the Wairau area trained through Te Whare Tū Taua if successful in the grading.

Warmer beds and healthier homes

By Khylee Baker – Kaituitui (co-ordinator) for Whare Ora / Healthy Homes

In September we celebrated the first year of the Whare Ora / Healthy Homes programme.

In our first month of home assessments, we found inadequate bedding in most households. Some families didn’t have enough blankets. And so many blankets were mink, which is hard to wash and dry during cold weather.

I soon realised that the funding I had for winter bedding was not going to stretch far enough. So the task became to find new bedding, and lots of it!

I reached out to the industry, asking at first for heavily discounted products, before realising I’d have to ‘ask big’ for free items instead. Around the same time I contacted other providers of the Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) in Te Waipounamu and in Whanganui-a-Tara. This proved a good way to make stronger connections and share my challenges.

We quickly achieved a good result! Linen House offered a batch of duvet covers that had been recalled due to minor defects. But we had to pick up the whole batch – 26 pallets’ worth! Forty-seven cubic meters, weighing 5,000kg. And we had to pick it up within three weeks!

All HHI providers leapt into action. Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi organised storage in Christchurch, and Aukaha Dunedin negotiated shipping.

 Te Piki Oranga paid the shipping invoice and together we hauled, recorded and distributed more than 1,900 packs of winter duvet covers with matching pillowcases – a total retail value of almost $420,000.

Most were large sizes, so we sent the Californian King-size covers to the Christchurch Women’s Prison workshop for repurposing into single-bed covers.

As a result, almost 1,000 packs have been given to whānau through the HHI providers in their rohe. For Te Piki Oranga the greatest impact of this mahi has been reaching the unreachable.

We can now provide bedding to whānau during home assessments, without hesitation. We’ve used the bedding as raffle prizes at Mana Wāhine events, as goods to exchange for vouchers at stores, and as koha for iwi events.

One whānau who received bedding linked us to all kōhanga of Te Tauihu. Through that network we completed Whare Ora workshops with three kōhanga and have two more booked in. All whānau attending are registering for help with their cold homes.

There’s much more to say about Whare Ora, but this is one of our greatest successes. Mauri Ora!

The healing power of hōiho

By Trina Toma – Pūkenga Manaaki (Whānau Navigator) for CAMHS

Earlier this year, one of the tamariki working alongside Trina in Te Piki Oranga CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) team attended a ‘Being with Horses’ equine therapy course.

Here is her pakiwaitara:

Torin learning horsemanship skills with Poppy.

Ko Torin Lum, nō Ngāti Tūwharetoa ia e whitu ana tau (aged seven years old).

Torin attended Being with Horses, a form of therapy developed by Julie Smith. Julie is a social worker and equine therapist who uses the hōiho as a therapy tool.

Torin was very comfortable in the presence of the hōiho right from the first time he met Poppy, the head mare of Julie’s therapy horse herd.

When they met, Poppy instinctively knew that Torin was needing some extra manaaki and aroha due to the sudden changes in his whānau unit. You can see in the photo how she is draping her head around Torin to give him a big awhi.

Torin listened and followed the instructions from Julie confidently. He learnt how to care for the hōiho, to groom them and how to read their body language so he could identify what the hōiho were wanting or feeling.

Torin learning horsemanship skills with Poppy.

Torin also identified when he needed to manage his own kare ā roto (emotions) from how the hōiho were reacting to him. He was able to reassure the hōiho with his kōrero and tone of voice. This interaction also created a space for Torin to relate his own kare ā roto with that of the hōiho.

Torin worked with another hōiho, a minature pony called Alfie. Torin created an obstacle course and learnt how to lead Alfie through it. The pony was a bit nervous about going through the course but Torin guided him with his positive kōrero and manaaki that Alfie needed.

Torin was proud of the skills he had learnt and the connection he had made with the hōiho, proudly showing these to his mum.

This form of therapy has allowed Torin to reconnect, regain his mana and heal with the hōiho. The hōiho are now a connection to his whakapapa.

Ānei te whakataukī Kaua e wareware ko wai koe, kia a kaha koe ki tō whakapapa.

 Remember who you are, your strength is your genealogy.

Leading Alfie through an obstacle course.

Trina’s pepeha

Trina’s whānau: From right, Tiana, Kaylie, Trina and Lance Toma (hoa tāne). Trina says, “I could not bring the taonga in my mahi to our Pā Harakeke without my whānau. Tāku whānau, tōku manawa, tōku pounamu (my whānau, my heart, my treasure).”

E ngā kaumātua, e ngā whatukura, e ngā mareikura tēnā koutou katoa i te wāhanga o kōanga,

Kei Pā Harakeke i tēnei ao hurihuri tēnā koutou katoa,

Ka tū mai te ātua ko Rongo mā Tāne, nau mai a Hine Raumati.

I te taha o tōku māmā

Ko Ngātokimatawha tōku waka

Ko Tapapa tōku awa

Ko Hokianga ā Kupe tōku moana

Ko Mangamuka tōku marae

Ko Ngāpuhi tōku whare tūpuna

Ko Ngāpuhi tōku iwi

Ko Kohatutaka, Te Uri Mahoe ōku hapū

I te taha o tōku pāpā

Kei te rere te toto nō Ingarangi Nui nō Pāniora ki tōku tinana

Ko Lance Toma tōku hoa tāne

Ko Tiana rāua ko Kaylie ā māua tamahine

Ko Trina Toma tōku ingoa

He Pūkenga Manaaki ki hinengāro hauora ki Pā Harakeke tāku mahi ki te tari ki Motueka.

E ki ana te whakataukī ko tōu reo, ko tōku reo te tuakiri tangata, tīhei uriuri, tīhei nakonako.

Your voice and my voice are expressions of identity. May our descendants live on and our hopes be fulfilled.

Nō reira ki ngā hāpori ki ngā kōhanga tēnā koutou katoa.

‘Te hā is a taonga’ – a message that resonates with rangatahi

By Melissa Nally, Pūkenga Manaaki, Te Hā Aukati Kaipaipa

Ko Tapuae-o-Uenuku te maunga

Ko Awatere te awa

Nō Airani ōku tipuna, no Tenemāka hoki

I whanau mai au ki Wairau, engari i tipu ake au ki Te Murihiku

Ko Melissa Nally ahau

Me aro ki te hā o te tangata (be aware of those around you and the air they breathe)

 Melissa Nally is a Pūkenga Manaaki with Te Hā smokefree service.

On 14 August she joined her peers from regional smokefree and youth services to host a special event for rangatahi in the Wairau rohe.

Melissa gave a kōrero on vaping, based on mātauranga Māori. She encouraged rangatahi to think about the effects of vaping on people and the taio (environment) and to take a Te Ao Māori point of view where te hā (breathing) is a precious taonga.

Here is her pūrākau:

Te Piki Oranga, Sport Tasman and Te Whatu Ora kaimahi collaborated to present ‘Tihei mauri ora’ – a vapefree education day for rangatahi, held at Te Pā Wānanga (Omaka Marae).

Attended by about 20 rangatahi, the kaupapa of the event was to reaffirm te hā (the breath) as a taonga and to support young people to make informed decisions about vaping.

The 2023 ASH Year 10 Snapshot Survey shows that while Māori youth smoking rates have decreased in the past three years, the daily vaping rates of Māori youth have dramatically increased.

While vapes are a tool to help quit smoking, they are not always used in this way – especially by young people who are more likely to start vaping, rather than smoking. But just like tobacco cigarettes, vaping products (vape juice) can contain high levels of nicotine. Nicotine is addictive and rangatahi can quickly form a hard-to-break vaping habit.

To guide the reaffirmation of te hā as a taonga, we centred our kōrero with Tihei Maura Ora participants around Te Whare Tapa Whā model.

Te Whare Tapa Whā explores ways to protect and care for our tinana through:

• understanding te hā as a taonga

• protecting and looking after yourself and your whānau by making informed decisions

• being aware of the influence of the environments we live in on our choices (eg, how vaping advertising targets young people)

• the environmental impact of vapes on te taiao (whenua, awa and moana)

• making and following life aspirations and standing strong in one’s identity (taha wairua).

Te Whare Tapa Whā was developed by Māori health advocate Tā (Sir) Mason Durie in 1984. The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls.

These messages were shared through a video featuring Kahu Treacher, a young, inspirational basketball player and vapefree advocate.

We made Tihei Maura Ora engaging and hands-on; for example, by giving participants a box containing three months’ worth of used vapes to help them realise the financial and environmental cost.

Another fun and effective example was the use of a squeaky duck toy to draw attention to important information. Nicotine was compared to a squeaky duck and, when the kōrero focussed on the detrimental effects of nicotine on young people’s brain development, we made the duck squeak loudly.

The day ended with a Q&A session; all participants exchanged their answers for a Smokefree-branded bouncy ball which we then took outside for some very competitive games of hand ball.

Te Piki Oranga, Sport Tasman and Te Whatu Ora kaimahi received good feedback about the day. One person said they “really felt the mauri in the room when you guys were speaking with the tamariki”.

Our awesome Tihei Maura Ora participants with kaimahi Kat Jones, Reuben Molnar and Tāne Anderson from Sport Tasman, and Melissa Nally from Te Piki Oranga.

Right: Tāne Anderson and David ‘Chook’ Norgate from Sport Tasman and Reuben Molnar from Te Whatu Ora learnt a few new tricks with bouncy balls from rangatahi.