Te Piki Oranga celebrated its 10th anniversary in July with open days at Whakatū, Wairau, Motueka and Waitohi health hubs.
The events were fun and whānau-friendly, with kai, cake, games, quizzes, raffles and kapa haka alongside the offer of health checks and immunisation.
The open days were an opportunity to both celebrate and learn about Te Piki Oranga, an organisation that has grown to become the leading provider of kaupapa Māori health services in Te Tauihu – Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.
One of the facts that Tumuaki (General Manager) Anne Hobby shared in media coverage about the anniversary milestone is that, in 2024, approximately 25 per cent of people enrolled for Te Piki Oranga healthcare services across the region were non-Māori.
Anne says that this is a typical enrolment rate. “It is validation that non-Māori appreciate and do well under our model of care, Te Puna Hauora, which weaves te ao Māori values and tikanga into evidence-based, mainstream health and wellness practice.”
Te Piki Oranga was established on 1 July 2014 through the collaboration of, and merger with, six Māori health providers. The first services began from Whakatū Marae and health hubs opened soon after in Motueka and Wairau. Kaimahi also provide mobile clinics and in-home services.
Approximately 4,500 people now use Te Piki Oranga services each year and the workforce has grown from 50 to 100 full-time positions to support increasing demand.
Anne says that over the 10 years, Te Piki Oranga has rapidly expanded and diversified its services as new funding and contracts were offered or won.
Antenatal and early years care, quit-smoking services, cancer screening, counselling, driver’s licence support and healthy homes services are now available alongside healthcare such as immunisation, nursing, health checks and diabetes clinics.
At the Whakatū tari celebration, a 10th anniversary cake was cut by some of the kaimahi who have been with Te Piki Oranga since it was established in 2014.
Front row, left to right: Anne Hobby, Tumuaki; Jane du Feu, Chairperson; Shelley Carter
Back row, left to right: Deborah Tauwhare; Trudy Gibson; Rana Eggers; Walter Tia; Dianne MacDonald; Gloria Eggling
Kaimahi from the Whakatū Te Hā and Stop Smoking Service teams, from Te Piki Oranga and Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ respectively.
Members of the kapa haka team at the Whakatū tari performed at least 10 waiata, under the cover of a marquee during heavy rain on the day of the open day at the Whakatū tari.
Gaynor Rikihana-Takao, Pūkenga Kaiwhakahaere - Site Manager (Motueka) with a healthcare colleague from Hato Hone St John - Motueka.
Motueka turned on the sunshine for a fun whānau day packed with games, kai and health services. Here, Motueka kaimahi with a 10th anniversary cake.
A Motueka haka haka group performed for kaimahi, whānau and guests at the Motueka tari open day.
Waiata and karakia before kai for kaimahi and guests at the Wairau open day.
