Manu Ora have been awarded the Supreme Business Award in the 2023 Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
The Wairau-based primary care team, established in 2021 in partnership with Te Piki Oranga, also won the ‘New and Emerging Business’ and ‘Community Impact’ award categories. Manu Ora Director and GP, Dr Sara Simmons, says the team feels humbled.
“This recognition shines a light on health equity, and particularly Māori health equity. We are incredibly honoured to be acknowledged for our mahi and would like to thank all those who have supported our innovation and commitment to do things differently, since Manu Ora was founded in 2021.
“We see this acknowledgement as another indicator of the difference that can be made to the hauora (wellbeing) of our whānau. It has been a busy two years for us, and there is still so much to do.
Manu Ora Director and GP, Dr Rachel Inder, says it was a leap of faith to establish a different kind of practice that focuses on achieving health equity in meaningful ways.
“We are grateful to Te Piki Oranga for their partnership, and for the founding contributions from Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough, Marlborough Primary Health Organisation, Rātā Foundation, Rangitāne o Wairau, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, and The Care Foundation who supported our vision. We are so pleased to have this recognition for their commitment to our kaupapa right from the outset.
“Thanks to our amazing kaimahi and community, Manu Ora is really flourishing,” Dr Inder says.
In a letter of congratulations to Ricky Carr Pūkenga Kaiwhakahaere - Site Manager for Te Piki Oranga in Wairau, Drs Simmons and Inder say:
Ka mihi mātou ki tō tautoko i a mātou mahi. As our partnership with Te Piki Oranga is integral in this success, we acknowledge you and your rōpū as we celebrate these awards. Ngā mihi maioha for believing in us, and for supporting our vision, our mahi, our whānau.
It was a leap of faith to establish a different kind of practice that focuses on achieving health equity in meaningful ways. One that offers no or low-cost health care to our whānau with complex needs in a flexible, culturally safe and whānau centred way.
After a busy two years, we know there is still much to do. Our caring and experienced rōpū are committed to continuing to offer a service that meets the needs of our whānau, ensuring we reduce inequities in access to healthcare and improve health outcomes for Māori in Wairau.
Ka tino mihia tōu ki tō mātau kaupapa. Your commitment to our kaupapa is truly appreciated.
About Manu Ora
Established in 2021 by Wairau locals Dr Rachel Inder and Dr Sara Simmons (Ngāi Tahu), in partnership with Te Piki Oranga, Manu Ora is a medical centre with a difference.
Manu Ora is a kaupapa Māori charity set up to offer low or no-cost healthcare in a more flexible, culturally safe, and whānau-centred way.
In December 2022 an independent evaluation assessed the ways in which this unique kaupapa Māori primary healthcare service in Wairau is achieving its goals. Read about this in our pitopito kōrero here.
Most of the Manu Ora team at the awards.
