‘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.

Hapori happenings

Community engagement

The annual 'Cops with Cakes' event in Whakatū is a whānau favourite, with interactive displays from the region's key community organisations.

Te Piki Oranga hosted an information stall at the 25 February event this year. We had great company, with stalls and activities also from Nelson Coastguard, Te Korowai Trust, Big Brothers Big Sisters, St John Ambulance, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Nelson Tasman Police (who put the 'cops' into 'Cops with Cake'!) among others.

The event was an invaluable opportunity for Te Piki Oranga to connect with our hapori whānui (community). And thanks to donations of Lego as prizes from Sam Currie from the Top of the South Brick Show, our stall was very appealing to whānau, as can be seen in these photos. Tau kē Sam!

Realising potential: A CAMHS success story

Realising potential: A CAMHS success story

By John Hart – Wairau CAMHS/Mental Health Navigator

 Little did I know on first meeting with this young blue eyed blonde hair cheeky Māori boy what an impact and how he would grow on me.

My first memory of him is while playing basketball was that he wanted to punch me in the face I roared at him "surely in gest” he just looked back at me confused.

We played basketball twice a week sometimes for 3 hours a day, one v one B-ball so he could claw back some of the points I would fluke against him. Little did he know at the time from early on I could see he had determination but no focus or work ethic towards training.

He had fallen through the cracks of mainstream education system with very little to no chance of getting back in the school gates. In his own words lately, he was just in need of some structure and routine and for others to just understand how he processed everything.

From an Xbox influenced lifestyle of Grand Theft Auto and bad choice of mates he started out in boxing and basketball to establish direction and focus. He started in alternative education program after being out of school for a couple of years and not fitting in mainstream system. he participated with Dawn Chorus in Picton as well as mentoring at Te Piki Oranga. He trained 4 to 5 times a week at Kai Toa Gym/boxing gym as well as weights at the gorilla pit at the stadium plus regular 5 km runs. He then jumped headfirst into the cactus program winning a trophy for being positive having leadership skills as well as encouraging others among other qualities.

He had started to mature and not needing to follow like before, becoming a leader amongst his peers. He now understood it's not about making people like him to make friends .It was about liking himself and becoming the best version of himself in the knowledge that others will like him too. With new career path choice and a heavy training regime and new goals he had found his new groove. 

A new boxing coach additional positive mentors and support from whanau and new friends in his life. With new life experiences and goals and playing Basketball with a passion he walked onto the court with a red top on ,once upon a time that would never have happened as red was a forbidden word in his vocabulary. This was the moment when I thought he had reached the pinnacle and things couldn't get better. We played basketball on a Wednesday night with a loose collection of kids who like the game didn't have much to do mid-week. He walked onto the court like a Giant with the glow of an NBA player.

Learning to dive and hunt, shooting a deer, nutrition advice, shredding pounds to make weight ready for his first fight in the ring. From that date on and clocking up another 4 fights and 5 silvers later. His next goals are to finish the dingle foundation program this year and join the military next year 2023.

He has come a long way from fight club to a role model, we are all proud of him.

He Tangata

By Emani Soane, He Tangata kaitiaki (driving instructor)

For the last two years I have been able to take whānau for their driving lessons in the evenings and during the weekends. I was very fortunate enough last year to get my endorsement to become a qualified driving instructor with the support of Te Piki Oranga and Nelson Police.

Since being involved in our mentoring programme, it has been solely focused on supporting whānau to pass their restricted licence and full licence. Our programme now offers a Road Code Support programme for the learner's licence as part of the He Tangata mentoring programme.

The true strength of our He Tangata driving programme comes from all our whānau who have participated in the programme.

Our lessons have ranged from full of laughter, high blood-pressure moments to the occasional near-accident. We've had a few tangi moments, whānau wanting to walk out, and whānau carrying a lot of mamae.

By using Kaupapa Māori/Pasifika flavour to the lesson, whānau come to an understanding of the road rules when operating the waka, gaining confidence and taking pride in themselves. There is the opening up of employment opportunities for whānau, the privilege of listening to whānau kōrero about their life journey.

We tautoko whānau to access other Te Piki Oranga health services, share kai, walk alongside whānau when test results haven't gone our way and most importantly sharing in the celebration when our whānau pass their test.

Since the start of the year we have had 140 participants (84 Māori, 33 Pasifika, 14 European and 9 ‘unknown’), 191 lessons and 70 tests booked.

I would like to acknowledge all our Te Piki Oranga kaimahi that support our whānau and give them the extra push, encouraging them engage and show up for their lesson. A big thank you to Rachelle our administrator who books tests, orders birth certificates, keeps an eye on my calendar, sorts our referrals and all the background mahi she does.

Tihei Taiohi: A different approach!

Lining up and talking to health experts is not every rangatahi’s idea of a good time, but in a fresh approach to hauora the conversations have been flowing.

Thirty tamariki and rangatahi, many with their whānau, gathered at Kaiteretere in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park on Friday for an event aimed at not just talking about health, but providing youth with an opportunity to connect to te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori and a more holistic view of issues that might be affecting young people’s health.

The wānanga, named Tihei Taiohi, was a collaboration between cultural development experts Hawaiki Kura, Whānau Ora commissioning agency Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, Māori primary health provider Te Piki Oranga and Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust.

“It’s a fresh approach to talking about some of those issues that are out there,” says Lydia Mains, clinical co-ordinator with Te Piki Oranga.

“Teaming up with Hawaiki Kura has helped us enable that, and in a way that is fit-for-purpose and which suits our people.”

Hawaiki Kura are well known for delivering rangatahi empowerment and cultural development wānanga throughout Te Tauihu and their innovative wānanga are popular among rangatahi. The event on Friday was a family effort, with teenaged sisters Te Ao Mārama Nepia and Māreikura Nepia delivering the wānanga, supported by their father Kiley. 

“Our wānanga are all about reconnecting our rangatahi to te ao Māori and promoting holistic wellbeing,” says Te Ao Mārama Nepia, 17. “We’re all about reminding our rangatahi that they are a seed born of greatness.”

“I think it’s been really beneficial for everybody. You know, when you have new partners there is always that aspect of the unknown. Will this work? Can we still do it our way and put tikanga first while balancing the needs of public health. But it was a natural synergy and I think, though a te ao Māori lens, rangatahi really took in the messages we had to share and importantly, we also listened.”

Pouārahi for the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, Helen Leahy, is delighted to invest in this initiative.

“Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is proud to support Tihei Taiohi, yet another initiative from Hawaiki Kura that will deliver meaningful outcomes for rangatahi Māori. Their approach is the epitome of by Māori, for Māori, and in this case, by rangatahi, for rangatahi.”

Manu Ora takes flight

Manu Ora takes flight

Today, Wairau’s new Manu Ora healthcare service is open and giving local whānau a new, high-quality and culturally appropriate way to improve their hauora. The service is a partnership between Nuku Health and Te Piki Oranga, and is supported by Marlborough Primary Health and Rangitane o Wairau.

The service’s name ‘Manu Ora’, represents a bird taking flight after achieving hauora (wellbeing). 

Manu Ora is a charitable organisation with a small healthcare team dedicated to providing quality care within a kaupapa Māori model and committed to te Māori me ngā tikanga Māori. The service is subsidised for Te Piki Oranga whānau, Community Services Card holders and other whānau who meet the enrolment criteria.  

‘We are committed to reducing the inequities in both access to primary health care and the health outcomes for our highest need patients in Wairau, particularly our Māori community,’ says Manu Ora's Sara Simmons.

‘We strive to create an environment that is caring, respectful, empathic and collaborative with our patients and their support networks, and supportive, stimulating and rewarding for our kaimahi (staff).’

The Manu Ora team will work closely with each other, alongside patients, to ensure every staff member can provide high-quality and ongoing care.

When a patient first signs up, they will be offered an extended enrolment appointment with a nurse and a GP from the team. Following this, a coordinated management plan will be developed and documented to ensure each patient’s health needs are met.

The Manu Ora team also aims to act as health advocates for their patients, and to go the extra mile to ensure their health needs are met.

You can book an appointment in advance or drop into the walk-in clinic (where patients are prioritised according to how urgent their medical treatment needs are).

Call Manu Ora on 03 577 5810 or drop into 219 Howick Road, Wairau.

Manu Ora’s guiding whakataukī

Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu

Me whakahoki mai te mana ki te whanau, hapū, iwi.

Kia korowaitia aku mokopuna kit e korowaitanga hauora.

Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly and return the mana to us.

Let our future generations be embraced in good health.

National Award for Māori health champion provides funding for new programme

National Award for Māori health champion provides funding for new programme

Paraire Huata Health and Wellbeing Award recipient Rameka Te Rahui is dedicating the $5,000 Award to a new wānanga to help young Māori to follow the right path in life, and is calling for sponsors to match the funding, so he can deliver a high impact programme that will change lives.

Rameka Te Rahui says he was delighted to receive the Te Rau Ora Paraire Huata Award in May this year, especially as the award will provide base funding to run a new wānanga targeting at-risk young Māori men.

The Te Rau Ora He Tohu Hiranga: Excellence and Innovation awards acknowledge and recognise excellence and innovation in the Māori health, mental health, addiction sectors.  Paraire Huata was best known for his focus on the health and social service sector, and for his commitment to Māori mental health and addiction services. Te Rau Ora is a national organisation dedicated to strengthening Māori Health.

“I want to acknowledge the honour of being the recipient of the Paraire Huata Award, it was a wonderful surprise and truly appreciated. A big thank you to the team at Te Rau Ora,” says Rameka.

Rameka has been in Nelson for two years, working in addiction services for Māori health and wellness organisation Te Piki Oranga. Prior to that, his career in Māori community wellbeing has spanned 39 years and included working in probation services, alongside the New Zealand Police, family violence and Children, Youth and Families Service, and most recently as a Team Leader delivering kaupapa services in the Bay of Plenty.

The Paraire Huata Award recognises contributions towards Māori health and wellbeing. The award is in the form of funds to facilitate local wānanga, to share and raise the standards of practice regarding Māori models of practice.

Rameka says the award holds special meaning for him because of his friendship with Paraire Hauta.

”Paraire Huata, of Ngati Kahungungu ki Heretaunga,  was a dear friend, colleague and teacher whom I had the privilege of working with under the kaupapa he co-developed, which was well known across Aotearoa, not only for his work with Māori but with the world’s indigenous people.’’

Rameka is currently facilitating the Kia Taumata Te Oranga Methamphetamine MatrixPprogramme –a successful addiction programme developed in the US and adapted for New Zealand. The programme launched in October 2019 and is already making strides in helping people break the cycle of drug use and addiction.

“We’ve found that people who stay with the learning and complete three or four blocks of the programme are able to make lasting changes in their lives. Many of our clients are self-referred or come through people who have successfully completed the course and are making real progress,” says Rameka.

Rameka is using the award money to facilitate a wānanga for 20 young Māori males (taiohi, rangatahi tamatāne,) aged 14 to 20 years old which will run in October this year and will be Marae-based within Te Tauihu. 

“We are hoping to target many of our local young tane who have fallen through the gaps and are likely to be an adult tane ‘Māori statistic’ within the next 3-8 years,” says Rameka. “Our aim is to try to break this cycle and to expose these young tāne to good role models and a variety of activities and opportunities that provide an alternative to a life of drug use, gang violence and crime.”

To support the programme, Rameka is calling for sponsorship from other agencies to help build a programme that will make a long-term difference to young men and their whānau.

“I am dedicating the Paraire Huata award as part of my role with Te Piki Oranga, and I challenge the appropriate services and community of Nelson, to either match or better this contribution.”

Are you aged 15-30 years? Protect against measles

Are you aged 15-30 years? Protect against measles

Become a Guardian of the Future by getting immunised against measles. Not only will you be protecting yourself against a disease that’s about 8 times more contagious than COVID-19, you’ll also be protecting your whānau, your community, and future generations from harm. 

Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. Not everyone aged 15 to 30 years was immunised as a child. But it’s easy and free to get immunised now.

Protect the people you care about. Immunise to help stop the spread of measles. It’s free at GPs or participating pharmacies.

Not sure if you’re immunised against measles?  It’s okay to get immunised again.

Find more information on our MMR Vaccine page, which includes a “Your Quetions Answered” section.

Are You Aged 15-30 Years? Protect Against Measles

Are You Aged 15-30 Years? Protect Against Measles

Become a Guardian of the Future by getting immunised against measles. Not only will you be protecting yourself against a disease that’s about 8 times more contagious than COVID-19, you’ll also be protecting your whānau, your community, and future generations from harm. 

Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. Not everyone aged 15 to 30 years was immunised as a child. But it’s easy and free to get immunised now.

Protect the people you care about. Immunise to help stop the spread of measles. It’s free at GPs or participating pharmacies.

Not sure if you’re immunised against measles?  It’s okay to get immunised again.

Find more information on our MMR Vaccine page, which includes a “Your Quetions Answered” section.

Driver’s licence the key to shearer’s future

When Te Piki Oranga Kōtuitui Hapori Sonny Alesano arrived at the Nelson Courthouse one day in December, he overheard a conversation. Twenty-four-year-old Jason West had been charged with driving without a licence. Sonny introduced himself, gave his business card to the rangatahi and let him know about Te Piki Oranga’s He Tangata driving programme.

Jason, who works all over the region as a sheep shearer, says, ‘It was such a relief off my shoulders; I was stressing out and didn’t know what to do. Sonny told me he could help me with my licence and I said, “Yep, done, I need that”. It was the good luck I needed.’

In the past, Jason had lost his licence for driving unaccompanied to work on a learner’s permit. He thought the waiting list meant it wasn’t possible to book in for his practical test. Then he was pulled over driving without a licence. ‘It was such a pain, I was stuck in a cycle, flat out. It’s also my hobby, I’m real passionate about cars. When I’m not working, I’m always underneath my car. So to have a car and not be able to drive was devastating.’

Jason passed his restricted driver’s licence test in early January 2021. ‘I’m so stoked, Emani is such a nice person. It’s great, now I don’t have to be worried about being pulled over.’

It also means he can keep his licence. ‘The judge said if I got my licence before the next court date, she wouldn’t take it off me. I still have to pay the fines, because I broke the law, but now I’m able to drive. She gave me the opportunity because there’s a real shortage of shearers in the country; a lot are stuck in Australia because of Covid-19.’

With work all over Te Tauihu, a driver’s licence is essential for Jason’s employment. There isn’t any public transport that will get him to where he needs to go and on time. ‘We start shearing at 7.30am, so wherever I’m coming from, I have to been there by then. And if there’s no work up here, I can now go down to Alexandra.’

Jason says he feels unstoppable now. ‘It’s a real boost in confidence.’

But he believes it wasn’t just his future at stake. ‘I could see that, if I passed, it would encourage the judge to give someone else the same opportunity. If I’d failed to get my licence, maybe she might not have been so lenient with other people in the same situation. I would have tried, regardless, but having the support really helped me mentally. It’s especially great to be able to talk to someone with more life experience, someone other than your parents.’

Jason looks forward to shearing for at least the next five years. Then, he says, he might become a barber, like his mum. ‘I’ll be going from animals to humans,’ he laughs.

Sonny says Jason’s story is not unique.

‘You turn up to court to support someone and you see how many youth are there, and we know there are processes other than the justice system,’ Sonny says. ‘We are looking at how we can support these rangatahi to ensure that court is not the only option for them. Helping them get their driver’s licence is just one. Emani Soane, one of our driving instructors, has done such great work with our young people.’

Sonny says he’s also been working with Pasifika communities, offering learner driver licence courses with Emani.

‘When English is their second language, it can be an additional barrier.We provide support because having a licence gives them more opportunities for other work,’ Sonny says.

Jason and Sonny

It’s all about kōtuitui

After five years on the Te Piki Oranga management team as Te Pou Taki (Cultural Adviser), Sonny Alesana has a new role, as Kōtuitui Hapori (Community Connector).

‘We were already doing a lot of work with the community and had also been asked by other organisations to provide cultural advice on health,’ Sonny explains.  ‘In this role, it’s about Te Piki Oranga engaging with service providers to support families.’

He commenced the role in November 2020 and, since then, has been focusing on ensuring individuals and whānau can access Te Piki Oranga’s services with ease.

Being responsive

The Kōtuitui Hapori role was initially created in response to the pandemic, to help mitigate the negative social impacts of Covid-19 for whānau, but Sonny says it is about being  responsive and creative to find solutions for the needs of whānau.

‘Covid-19 has been difficult for some families but there have also been positives,’ says Sonny, ‘and I like to focus on the positives. There’s employment out there but now it’s about how we prepare our whānau for those employment opportunities. It’s also about preparing others who might have lost their jobs and working out how we can utilise their transferrable skills to ensure they can transfer into other industries and jobs.’

Supporting tamariki and rangatahi at school is another focus. ‘Covid-19 really identified that, for some of our families, they didn’t have the digital equipment they needed to support their children in their education or they had the equipment but didn’t know how to use it to access student portals. We had to be creative in the way we worked.’

Sonny adds, ‘Then you have families ring you to say their child’s at home and they’re not willing to go to work. It’s about looking at how we can provide services early to avoid bigger costs in the long run. Prevention is better than the cure.’

He also sits on a gateway panel with Oranga Tamariki to ensure whānau are getting the right support when their children are being returned from care.

Looking ahead, Sonny will be working with a team of five to six other community connectors in Te Tauihu. They are planning to meet in person soon to determine what services can be offered, ensuring they are not duplicating what is already available. 

Read about how Sonny connected with a local shearer, who with a new driver licence says he is ‘unstoppable.’

Sonny Alesana has a new role, as Te Piki Oranga’s Kōtuitui Hapori (Community Connector)

‘Shot Bro’ tackles depression

A repeat performance at Victory Boxing of Rob Mokaraka’s one-man theatrical show, ‘Shot Bro: Confessions of a Depressed Bullet’, left audience members feeling more informed about the impacts of depression.

A few months ago, Te Piki Oranga teamed up with Victory Boxing to bring the play back to its base in Whakatū Nelson, after it had premiered there several years earlier.

Inspired by Rob’s life story, ‘Shot Bro’ is the product of his nine-year journey of healing and self-discovery.

In 2009, the highly acclaimed actor and playwright experienced undiagnosed depression that resulted in him trying to commit ‘Suicide by Police’ (a suicide method in which an individual ‘deliberately’ behaves in a manner designed to provoke a ‘lethal response’ from law enforcement).

As well as performing, Rob also co-wrote and produced this extraordinary show.

Rob told the audience that he created the piece to communicate an ‘internal perspective on mental health and depression, in a safe way’ and, by doing so, he hoped to bring about social change regarding these topics.

Given the subject matter of his show, one would expect it to be a solemn and heavily dramatic piece yet, although there are elements of this, there were many heartful and hopeful moments resulting in both laughter and tears.

After the performance, Rob provided the opportunity for reflection, then invited audience members to give feedback.

The collaboration was an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between Te Piki Oranga and Victory Boxing, given both organisations have developed a strong standing within the community when it comes to mental health and depression.

The show successfully inspired a shift in perspectives and more understanding about appropriate responses to depression and suicidal behaviour.

Calling in the dolphins to support mental health and wellbeing

Wild dolphins brought big smiles to the faces of tamariki and rangatahi towards the end of last year, during a special boat tour off the coast of Waitohi (Picton).

Te Piki Oranga’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Wairau arranged the special tour through local wildlife tour company E-Ko Tours, which provides the opportunity to encounter several species of dolphins including dusky, bottlenose, common, and the rarer hector’s dolphins, as well as orca.

Recent research shows that cetacean species (whales and dolphins) have achieved a level of social-emotional sophistication not achieved by other animals, including humans. In addition, the hypothesis of biophilia—which recognises that human beings need to commune with nature in order to thrive—and the success of other animal-assisted therapy approaches, inspired the initiative.

Mātauranga Māori provided a model for the journey; the children learnt about the relevance of whales and dolphins to Māori, their own whakapapa connection to the dolphins who guided their ancestors to the area, and increased their environmental awareness of, and knowledge about, ways to protect the whenua (land), moana (sea) and taonga (dolphins).

The Te Piki Oranga organising team, which included Paola Montarnaro, Karena Martin and John Hart, conducted ancient Hawaiian and Māori ceremonies to help prepare the children for their interaction with the dolphins. This included blowing the Pumoana (shell trumpet) to call them in.

‘The trip out to the dolphin sanctuary did not take long and, as the journey progressed, the group began to engage more fully with the kaupapa,’  says Karena.

When the pod arrived, they brought with them their babies, some as young as two days old. The dophins surrounded the boat and made direct eye contact with the children, responding to the group’s signals, sounds and waiata with joyful and social behaviour. Both the children and adults alike greeted them with delight. 

John Hart, Te Piki Oranga Pukenga Manaaki (Whānau Navigator), says, ‘The captain said that our efforts and calling our Tipuna Taniwha (water spirit ancestors) brought the dolphins in close and we enjoyed their company for a solid hour of laughs and excitement.’

Paola Montarnaro, Te Piki Oranga CAMHS Mental Health Clinician, adds: ‘The children were able to see and experience their social interaction from a very close distance and let the dolphins perform their healing magic. Once back on land, we could see smiles and a sense of peace and ease, even in the expression of the most reluctant participants. It was a very special and profound therapy session.’

Paola says CAMHS selected E-Ko Tours because they strive to be good kaitiaki (guardians), by using profits from their tours to fund conservation projects that contribute to the sustainability of both whenua and moana.

‘It was amazing to observe the positive changes brought about from the interaction with the dolphins,’ says Karena. ‘The trip back to Blenheim was filled with lively discussion about what had been seen and experienced.’

Mātauranga Māori provided a model for the day

Pumoana calls the dolphins

Here the dolphins come

Supporting rangatahi to get out of the youth justice system

Supporting rangatahi to get out of the youth justice system

Marissa Pou is passionate about her mahi with rangatahi (youth). As part of the HEEADSSS Assessment programme, the Te Piki Oranga Whakatū community nurse creates unique solutions for rangatahi and their whānau, to help get the rangatahi out of the youth justice system.

“Each rangatahi is their own person. They have different whānau dynamics and different reasons for why they are where they are at in their lives. This means my approach to each of them is different, it is not just a matter of ticking boxes, it is more holistic than that. Sometimes it also makes sense for the mother to be involved, and sometimes it is the aunty or kuia as well,” she says.

“As a trusted person from outside the whānau, I can uncover what is behind the rangatahi’s behaviour and provide solutions that work to stop that behaviour happening again. You can’t just say to a young person “stop hanging around bad influences and go back to school”, you need to work out the “why” – why they are not going to school and why they are choosing those people to hang out with. The answers might be because they can’t easily get to school, they are hungry, they are bored, or there could be a raft of health reasons. When you know the “why” and then know what they enjoy doing, you can help with the solution.”

Marissa says she works alongside the key whānau members on her suggested recommendations and next steps, so there is buy-in and no surprises. These recommendations are usually for both the rangatahi and the whānau.

“It may be the rangatahi that is referred to me by Oranga Tamariki, but my recommendations always cover support for both them and their whānau. It is important for rangatahi that their whānau, particuarly Mum, is in a good space. That’s when we really make the difference and stop the youth justice system being their norm.”

Marissa says recommendations could include seeing a counsellor, a psychologist or alcohol and drug services. Other recommendations could be to provide support for an educational programme or help with starting a career in something they are interested in, like music or woodworking.

“I love working with rangatahi. The mahi we do with them has the power to transform the trajectory of their lives.  That’s why I am so passionate about this area of work. My brother went to jail for 13 years when he was 17. I can see how that could have changed for him if we’d had a programme like this,” she says.

In June 2019, Te Piki Oranga began working with rangatahi through the HEEADSSS assessment process on behalf of Oranga Tamariki. HEEADSSS stands for Home, Education, Eating, Activities, Drugs and Alcohol, Suicide and Depression, Sexuality and Safety. Marissa has completed 15 assessments across a mix of male and female, Māori and Pakeha rangatahi between the ages of 11-17.

Learning to drive, gaining independence

Learning to drive, gaining independence

Ko Maunga Tapu toku maunga.

Ko Maitahi Toku awa.
Ko Aorere toku moana.
Ko Tainui Toku waka.
Ko ngati koata, ngati kuia, ngati toa rangatira oku iwi.
Ko whakatu toku marae.
Ko kakati toku whare tupuna.
Ko Tysxun Aiolupotea toku ingoa.

Kia ora. My name is Tysxun Aiolupotea and I was born and raised in Nelson. I am 19 years old and have lived here my whole life and I am of Samoan Māori descent.

I play basketball for the Nelson Giants and have hopes of becoming a full-time professional athlete. To do this, I have set a range of goals, and try my best to achieve them every day. As a young athlete, I have been blessed with having mentors who support me to achieve my goals. Through basketball, I hope to give back to the younger rangatahi and support them where I can.

Being a young male Māori in Nelson has given me the opportunity to connect with my culture. My iwi are also from this region meaning I have had the privilege to be able to connect with the land, and people.

By gaining my restricted driver licence, I can now drive my car to and from training and work without any hassle. Through Te Piki Oranga’s He Tangata programme, I was able to get the support I needed in order to gain my restricted driver's licence. I just want to say a huge thank you to Emani who mentored me into doing so.

Kia ora.

Read more about He Tangata here.

Wairau basketballers, on a path to greater hauora

Wairua CAMHs Rangatahi Basketball Team Finish 3rd Year of playing together

It’s well known that rangatahi who stay active and participate in sport, are less likely than their sedentary peers to smoke, drink or take other health risks. Basically, there’s less time to get into trouble!

Over the last three years, John Hart, Whānau Navigator in our Wairau office has encouraged rangatahi supported by Te Piki Oranga’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHs) mentoring programme, to get involved in playing sport, in particular basketball. During this time, he has put forward a team in the Marlborough Basketball Associations Winter League.

John says: “Most of the players don’t play any other team sports, so being involved in basketball is a great vehicle for greater hauora.”

The players are aged between 12 and 16 years of age, and play in a senior mixed competition on Wednesday evenings over the winter months and often bring their friends along as ring-ins.

Two of the players are from the original team from three years ago and one of the team’s youngest players has been asked to trial for a under 13 rep team!

With the winter season now at an end, the team has secured additional funding from Kaitoa Charitable Trust for the summer league. And the team are taking things seriously by moving into the gym for boxing and cardio training, as well as playing fun games.

The team has been possible because of support from the Marlborough Violence Intervention Project, Marlborough Lines, Te Piki Oranga and the Kaitoa Charitable Trust.

Thanks to these organisation and John’s dedication our rangatahi benefit in many ways.  The team has been given the opportunity to get out and use their energy positively, find their competitive sides and change their values for the better. They have been able to grow positive friendships, improve their social skills and better their hauora.

One noticeable comment from the bench was that “bullying is not acceptable within this team.” What a wonderful lesson to learn in such a positive and fun environment.

Ending period poverty in Marlborough

Let’s talk periods! 

It is a fact of life that sanitary supplies are a necessity that many wahine go without. More than half* of Kiwi women find them too expensive, with a third prioritising buying other items like food and nappies for tamariki over the purchase of these products for themselves.

Worringly almost 30% of teenagers aged below 17 years old have missed school or work because they have their period and don’t have sanitary items. This is gender inequality, pure and simple. Our rangatahi should have no barriers to going to school or work.

Over the past 12 months, Te Piki Oranga in Wairau has had the privilege of accessing support through Pink Packets. Pink Packets is a women-led Marlborough charity providing free sanitary items to women in need throughout the region. Their mission is to end period poverty in Marlborough by collecting donations of sanitary products and putting together packs to be distributed through local agencies.

We are so grateful for the mahi these wahine toa do for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wider community of women in Marlborough. Ka nui te aroha to you Pink Packets!

If you are in Marlborough and wanting to contribute to the fight against period poverty, please look out for the pink donation bins around local supermarkets and visit the Pink Packets Facebook page for more information on how you can help.

If you know someone who needs help accessing sanitary products in Marlborough, please do not hesitate to contact our Wairau office or contact the ladies at Pink Packets directly on the contact details below.

www.facebook/pinkpacketscharity

email: marlbwomanscentre@gmail.com

phone: Milinda 027 389 7816

* 2018 nationwide survey

Whānau give back to their community and work on their wellness

Whānau give back to their community and work on their wellness

In August this year, our Wairau team started to run the award-winning Te Pae Oranga programme with the Police, with successful outcomes in the first month. 

Rather than ending up in court or a cell, Te Pae Oranga is an opportunity for people 17 years and over to repair the harm their minor offending has caused their community, and to have health challenges addressed. Te Pae Oranga is credited with bringing an 11.9 percent fall in reoffending among Māori aged 17 to 24.

People who have perhaps shop-lifted, stolen a bike on the street, or driven without a license, meet with an Iwi Community Panel to talk about who they are, where they are from, and why they did it. The panel listens and uncovers any unaddressed issues, before agreeing to appropriate reparation and accessing health services for the offenders. 

In its first month, the Wairau Iwi Community Panel worked with 21 people, mostly aged between 18 and 25 years old, with great success. Two examples of reparation for minor offences include a fisherman giving Te Piki Oranga 20 kilograms of fish for whānau in our Wairau community who need food. Another person has committed to assisting a local rugby club with coaching. These are positive outcomes that are appropriate to these people and their offending, and are meaningful to the community.

As well as working through how people would repair the harm they caused, the panel identified a number of undiagnosed or unsupported health problems, such as mental health or drug issues. Links have now been made to appropriate services to help them get better. 

Addressing the underlying reasons for offending is an important part of the holistic Te Pau Oranga process, rather than incarceration, after which, the statistics show, it is highly likely that people will reoffend.

Te Piki Oranga has been running Te Pae Oranga for 26 months in Whakatū, with more than 200 people having successfully worked with the local Iwi Community Panel.