A safe place to talk about tough topics

If you or someone in your whānau have experienced any abuse while in the care of state or faith-based institutions, Te Piki Oranga can offer a safe place to talk about your experiences.

 We understand that sharing about traumatic experiences can be difficult. Our qualified, specially-trained community champions can listen and kōrero with you in a non-judgemental, safe way.

 In one of our pānui last year we introduced you to community champion Rameka Te Rahui. Rameka says that talking with someone you trust can be the start for people seeking help and treatment for trauma.

 “We understand that anyone telling their story is going to go through a lot of emotions in the process. Talking can bring up a lot of grief, anger, and fear. Sometimes the hardest thing is making the first move and picking up the phone,” Rameka says.

 “We’re here to help anyone through that process – deciding whether and how to take part, navigating the process and getting the follow-up care you need.

 “There is free counselling available and for many people, this has made it possible for them to get treatment for any ongoing trauma they are experiencing as a result of their experiences.”

 Contact Te Piki Oranga in confidence on 0800 ORANGA (672642) or email us at admin@tpo.org.nz and ask to speak to one of our community champions.

Go on, tell us what you think!

As part of how we continually review our services to find out what we are doing right, what we could do better and what we need to fix, we invite you to tell us what you think in a survey. All survey participants will go into the draw to win a $100 kai or petrol voucher.

 We’ll be asking things like:

·       What are the challenges you find in accessing and using our services?

·       What can we do to improve?

·       What are we doing well that works for you and your whānau?

·       What services do you need that we don’t already provide?

·       How would you prefer to receive information from us?

We’ll send the survey by email to whānau on our mailing list. If your email address has changed please let us know and we can update it for you, so you don’t miss out. You can email us at admin@tpo.org.nz, phone 0800 ORANGA or join our mailing list by going to the ‘ohauru/subscribe’ link at the bottom of our website, www.tpo.org.nz

 Please let your friends and whānau know to do the same, so that they can have their say.

Te Piki Oranga in the News

A selection of media stories featuring our kaimahi and service users.

On 24 January, TVNZ’s Te Karere team featured Te Piki Oranga in their TV news item about South Island iwi ramping up defences against Omicron. You can watch this online here.

On 30 January, the Marlborough Express published a story about our Wairau vaccination clinics for tamariki. You can read this here

On 11 March, the Nelson Mail/Stuff published a story about our nurse practitioners Meg Robertson and Carol Whitfield. If you’re wondering what nurse practitioners can do for you and why you should choose kaupapa Māori care, read the article here.

Looking for our 'next top models'

We are looking for a multigenerational whānau (eg, kuia and koro with their children and mokopuna) to take part in a photoshoot to help inspire others to use our services.  Is this you?

We want to keep it real, so might ask to photograph you at home, in your garden or local playground. We also want to represent our region, Te Tauihu, so are looking for whānau in Whakatū, Waimeha, Motueka or Wairau!

The photos will be used on our website, brochures, social media and pānui. In exchange for your time and beautiful smiles, we will give you copies of the professional pikitia.

This is a great opportunity to inspire others who have not yet joined the Te Piki Oranga whānau, and to get some lovely photos of you and your loved ones to treasure. If you are interested, please call Grayson on 0800 ORANGA (672 642) or email her at admin@tpo.org.nz

Below are some examples from a photoshoot a few years ago.

Don’t let the flu get you this winter

Covid-19 has shown us how simple but effective steps help us stay well – hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when we are unwell, and vaccination. It has shown how our whānau can really step up when it comes to their health and that of their whānau and community.

While our Covid-19 vaccination programme continues, we are now also looking ahead to winter and the flu season.

Many of our whānau get their flu vaccine each year and this year it is even more important as we prepare for the return of seasonal flu now that international borders are open again. While the flu virus can circulate year-round, we mostly have seasonal outbreaks in Aotearoa. Each year a different variant of the virus makes its way here from the Northern Hemisphere where it has already had the northern winter to thrive and spread.

The flu can be dangerous for kaumātua, hapū māmā, tamariki who have been unwell before with respiratory illness, and any whānau with diabetes, heart and lung conditions and other illnesses. Vaccination is free if you are in these groups, but the criteria is broader than this, so if you are worried about how the flu would affect your health this winter please get in touch.

Flu vaccines are usually available from April, and we’ll provide more information on our website, Facebook and Instagram closer to the time.

Let’s get ready for winter by protecting ourselves against debilitating flu as well as COVID-19 – and yes you can get both vaccinations at the same time

Māmā and pēpi feel at home with kaupapa Māori care

Sarai and Māreikura

Sarai Tuhua lives in Whakatū, Nelson – a long way from her family in Rotorua. When her fourth child Māreikura was born she sought out kaupapa Māori support through the Tamariki Ora service.

This was the start of her relationship with specialist nurse and lactation consultant Debbie Kotua, who became Sarai’s clinician when Māreikura was a few weeks old.

 “I wanted to have a kaupapa Māori health service looking after me and my newborn this time round,” says Sarai.

 “I don’t have much whānau here in Nelson, and I felt this was really important for me. The service Debbie provided turned out to be the best I’ve experienced. It just made me feel so comfortable even though I’m a long way from my own whānau.”

 Sarai loved the way Debbie came to her house for appointments.

 “I didn’t have to pick up my newborn and take her out to a clinic – Debbie visited me in my home which really helped.”

 Sarai had a lower milk supply than she’d experienced with her previous children. She worried that Māreikura was not gaining weight and needed reassurance that everything was OK.

 “It just was not as easy as with the other three, and I did get a bit panicky.”

 Debbie helped with close supervision and monitoring of both māmā and pēpi, and had plenty of tips and advice on breastfeeding and nutrition.

 “Debbie visited whenever I needed her, and she really went the extra mile. She was accessible by phone, even if she couldn’t get to see me.

 “She watched me feed, gave me information on different recipes to help boost my supply, and built my confidence up that everything was OK. She was very non-judgemental – I felt very comfortable when she visited me in my house.”

 Sarai said one of the biggest advantages of using a kaupapa Māori service was Debbie’s awareness of Sarai’s needs and how best to help her manage any problems.

 “Debbie was just like an auntie – in fact I think Māreikura thinks she is an auntie! She made me feel like my child was special, even though I know she has many others to look after!”

 Māreikura is now two and a half years old. Debbie is still available for the toddler’s Well Child checks and she and Sarai keep in touch by phone and text in between visits.

 “Debbie is fabulous,” says Sarai. “She’s just very good at her job!”

Whānau at the heart of Tamariki Ora

Our Ngā Pūkenga Hauora Tamariki Ora/Well Child Tamariki Ora Service is here to help māmā and pēpi thrive during those special, and crucial, years from birth to age five.

Part of the national Well Child (Plunket) programme, Tamariki Ora is just what whānau in our region need. Our specially-trained nurses offer Well Child checks, specialist lactation advice and support with breastfeeding, childhood immunisation, safe sleep and creating a smokefree environment for pēpi.

We care for māmā of all ages, talking through things like kai and nutrition, sleep, exercise, and wellbeing. And if you need it, our pukenga manaaki/counsellor is available. We can also connect other whānau members to other health and wellbeing services they may need.

Whakatū Tamariki Ora nurse and lactation consultant Debbie Kotua helps māmā with breastfeeding, advises about nutrition for milk supply and checks that pēpi is getting enough food and growing well.  

She does Well Child checks as pēpi grows but says that the health of the whole whānau is important as well.

“There are several ways we tailor things to whānau,” says Debbie.

“First there’s the cultural connection that comes through from Te Piki Oranga’s kaupapa Māori approach and vision of whānau ora and tino rangatiratanga. 

“We use te reo as much as we can, and it’s really important to me to take the time to build a rapport with māmā, tāne and whānau as they all play a role in raising their tamariki. Māmā and pēpi are at the centre but we take the Te Ao Māori view of hauora and wellbeing.”

Debbie says that the four dimensions of hauora are integral to healthy tamariki and their whānau. These are: taha wairua (spiritual health), taha hinengaro (mental health), taha tinana (physical health) and taha whānau (family health).

“We put a high value on the connections between the four dimensions within the whānau as a whole and as individuals. Because Tamariki Ora nurses have access to Te Piki Oranga’s other services, we can make referrals for other issues that come to light – it’s a wraparound service that benefits the whole whānau and leads to better outcomes for everyone.”

 Debbie has been with Te Piki Oranga for nine years, five of which as a Tamariki Ora nurse and lactation consultant. Debbie is tangata whenua from Whakatū, of Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Raukawa descent. She lives with her partner and four tamariki aged between 10 and 17 years-old.

You can build better health through Te Ao Māori

You can build better health through Te Ao Māori

Te Piki Oranga is rolling out a pilot programme, Te Ata Pūao, to help whānau take more control over their health and wellbeing through a better understanding of their cultural identity.

Te Ata Pūao has been developed in recognition of the low to medium anxiety levels people are experiencing following the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on jobs, security, families and mental health, especially for those in rural communities.

It will support positive changes to improve Māori health and wellbeing through a better understanding of Te Ao Māori.

Participants will develop an awareness of their whakapapa and feel more at home within Te Ao Māori. As they work through the course, participants will be supported to answer questions about their culture and whānau, and develop an understanding of how this can affect personal health and wellbeing.

Te Ata Pūao has been developed to help Māori to explore how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions in a fun, supportive learning environment. It will help participants to take more control of their own health and wellbeing as they develop a health and wellbeing plan, which they can continue to develop once they have finished the course.

The programme will run once a week for 2.5 hours a week over six weeks.

The course will be delivered in three parts, exploring culture and identity,  developing a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, and working with professional support services to make long-term improvements to health and wellbeing.

Te Ata Pūao will be delivered for tāne, wāhine and whānau, at locations in Whakatū and Wairau. For more information visit www.tpo.org.nz or phone 0800 ORANGA (0800 672 642)

Te Piki Oranga is an essential service in Level 4

Te Piki Oranga is here for your health during Level 4

New Zealand will be in Level 4 lockdown from midnight tonight for three days. In Level 4, Te Piki Oranga is still an essential service, so we will continue to operate our services this week, although differently than usual.

At Te Piki Oranga most of our kaimahi/staff will work remotely at home. Kaimahi will be taking whānau phone calls and will help ensure you can manage your health needs.  Home visits will take place where necessary and safe for everyone. We will continue to help you access your GP or other health services if you need to this week.

Our kaimahi will also be ringing as many whānau as they can to ensure that they are safe and well and have what they need to self-isolate.

If you have health concerns for a member of your whānau or someone else at this time, please let us know by ringing 0800 ORANGA (672 642). We will also have a few kaimahi working at our hubs in Whakatū, Wairau and Motueka over the next three days. Any Te Piki Oranga kaimahi travelling outside of home or our office will wear our Te Piki Oranga ID to identify themselves as essential workers.

You may wish to visit the COVID-19 website if you would like more information about what you need to do in Level 4.

Arohanui to all our whānau as we go into Level 4 together – we are still here and doing everything we can to support you.

Meanwhile, we do encourage whānau to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Our COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Picton, Wairau, Nelson, Richmond and Motueka are continuing in Level 4, with Level 4 restrictions. We will be in touch if we need to rebook you to a different time, otherwise please come if you are scheduled to come and don’t hear from us. You can book now for you and your whānau at any of our upcoming clincis, call 0800 672 642 and press option 1 to register.  

Come hear about the COVID-19 Vaccination programme from Hon. Peeni Henare

You are invited to a COVID-19 Vaccination Information Evening with Associate Minister of Health Hon. Peeni Henare and the Ministry of Health.

Wednesday 7th April 2021, 5pm-6pm

We look forward to hosting this important hui, so you can kōrero with Minister Hon. Peeni Henare and health officials in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Come to the United Bowling Club, 201 Waimea Road, Nelson.

Light refreshments will be provided

Nau mai, haere mai.

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

Covid-19 Vaccines: What you need to know

Aotearoa has received the first batch of a Covid-19 vaccine and has prepared roll-out plans for three different scenarios, depending on the level of community transmission.

If there is no/low community transmission, border and managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers will be vaccinated first. This is to reduce the risk of them getting Covid-19 and the roll out should be completed by the end of March.

Healthcare and essential workers, including Te Piki Oranga kaimahi, and those most at risk of severe illness will then be vaccinated in the second quarter of the year (from April to June). The general public vaccinations are expected to begin in the second half of 2021 (July onwards).

If there is widespread community transmission, those most at risk of severe illness—including older people, and Māori and Pasifika—will receive priority access to the vaccination.

This will be the largest immunisation programme our country has ever undertaken and a lot of work is going on behind the scenes with the Ministry of Health leading the roll out.

Te Piki Oranga’s Covid Response Manager Sarah Lee was employed last year to coordinate Te Piki Oranga’s response and coordinates Covid-19 recovery activity across Te Tauihu.

To make sure the correct information is in the community and online, she has prepared answers to some frequently asked questions about the Covid-19 vaccines to help you and your whānau make an informed decision when the vaccine becomes available. More information on the general vaccine roll out is due from the Coivd-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday 10 March.

Click here for more general information about Covid-19 and if you have any further questions about Covid-19 vaccines, please contact your local public health organisation (PHO).

Strength in unity and activity

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei

Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau recently won the Stuff ‘Time to Shine Award’, one of six ASB Homegrown Heroes Awards. The ‘Time to Shine Award’ celebrates initiatives that have made a positive impact in the lives of a specific group in the community, in this case a group of tane living in Whakatū.

Underpinned by a te ao Māori approach, Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau kicked off in September 2019 and, since then, the men who participated have improved their physical fitness, quit or reduced smoking, made healthier food choices, lost weight and addressed other individual health needs. They’ve also strengthened their kotahitanga (togetherness), taha tinana (personal identity) and mana.

Back in the early days of the programme, the tane all weighed more than 100kg and had secondary health issues as a result, but other challenges facing them included homelessness, criminal records, addiction and poor mental health.

Equipped with a new pair of cross trainers and hoodie, the tane—who whakapapa to Ngā Puhi, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāi Tahu and the Cook Islands—partipated in activities every Thursday for 16 weeks.

Each session started with a karakia and acknowledgement of Atua, to engage with their own wairua and support each other’s mana.

Te Piki Oranga and Te Waka Hauora Māori Mental Health provided awhi, and funding was obtained to pay for the exercise gear and kai for the men, with picnic lunches, BBQs or a Nikau House meal following each session.

During the 16 weeks, the tane explored Te Tauihu’s great outdoors, tackling tracks at the Centre of New Zealand, the Abel Tasman, the Grampians, Tahunanui Beach, Rabbit Island and Days Track, over the Tahunanui Hills. The men also used the outdoor gyms at Tahuna Beach, Saxton Park and Riverside Pool, along with mau rākau (traditional Māori weapons) to mix up the cardio sessions.

In November 2019, the tane successfully participated in the Nelson Half Marathon for the first time, then celebrated the end of the first year of Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau with a Te Piki Oranga health check, formal graduation and hangi at Victory Community Centre with whānau and friends.

A way to tautoko the waka

The programme’s success led to its extension into 2020, to offer continued support to the tane; a way to ‘tautoko the waka’ on which they were still travelling. Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, several tane participated in the Half Marathon again last November, beating their 2019 lap times, while others played in the 2020 Nelson Touch tournament or joined a Seido Karate club.

The whāinga (purpose) extended beyond the pursuit of whairoa (wellness) and it has proved successful in other ways.

‘Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau is built on the importance of kotahitanga and the belief that, on their own and as a collective, “mana motuhake” whānau can govern themselves to achieve positive outcomes,’ says John Harris. ‘It wasn’t just about hauora (health).’

For example, Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau supported one of the tane, Daniel Timms, to lead a successful campaign against the restructure of Nikau House. He hand-delivered a 4,500 signature-strong petition to then Nelson MP Nick Smith at Parliament House in July. As a result, the District Health Board announced in August that Nikau House would not only stay open, but that they planned to expand its resources and increase its accessibility.

Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau is a one-of-a-kind programme in Te Tauihu but wouldn’t have succeeded without the support of many other agencies and organisations including Nikau House, Nelson City Council, Devine Fitness, Saxton Field Sports Complex, Whakatū Marae, Fish and Loaves, The White House and many more who have contributed to the wellbeing of the tangata whaiora.

A similar programme for wāhine will start in October this year.

Smashing it at the 2019 Nelson Half Marathon

Reaching the top of the Centre of New Zealand

Winning the Stuff ‘Time to Shine Award’. Left to Right: John Harris (Te Piki Oranga), Ryan Edwards (Sports Tasman), Kahu Kumeroa (Te Ropu Tane Kotahi Rau).

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.

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.

Pēpi Comes First For Naomi. Smoke Free and Loving It

A young woman’s strength to quit smoking for the sake of her unborn baby was celebrated with a special gift and acknowledgment. Naomi Te Kiri’s was supported to quit smoking with the guidance of her quit coach Sonia Hepi Treanor.

Sonia and Naomi came together through Pēpi First, a free programme that supports pregnant women to quit smoking and rewards them with grocery vouchers along the way.

“It was such a challenge to quit, the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Having a quit coach beside me was the 20% extra I needed alongside the 80% I put in myself,” Naomi says.

Sonia, Te Hā Pūkenga Manaaki of Te Piki Oranga Māori Wellness Services, says that the Pēpi First model of one-on-one support is key to success, especially for hapū mama.

“It’s all about building relationships and trust. We continue to support women for six weeks once pēpi is born but usually find that if a wahine is smoke-free in the second or third trimester she is usually smoke-free post-partum,” Sonia says.

Naomi is gifted donated a beautiful flax basket designed for the burial of a pēpi’s whenua (placenta) and pito (umbilical cord) by Flax Farewells for going the extra mile to honour a pēpi who is growing inside.

Graduates champion the “Stop Meth Use” programme

Graduates champion the “Stop Meth Use” programme

Kia Taumata Te Oranga methamphetamine programme was launched in Stoke in October. Within the year it has had its first two graduates, Colby Kelly and Joseph Batchelor. The completed eight months of the community-based, abstinence treatment programme and more than 100 hours of face-to-face group attendance time.

In acknowledgement of their part in our ‘Te Piki Oranga, Ngaru tuatahi’ first wave, Colby and Joseph were actively instrumental in helping us pioneer and shape the programme.

Their contribution to the group and overall programme, the sharing of their wealth of experience, and knowledge of methamphetamine helped catapult the programme.

“I could have continued making my recovery on my own but found that being on the programme helped me gain further tools and understanding,” said Joseph. “The programme covered extensive conversations that I may not have thought of by myself, which I felt was relevant to me and my recovery journey. I had been declined other services but heard of the Te Piki Oranga Kia Taumata Te Oranga methamphetamine programme. Today I’m proud of the milestones that I achieved.”

Colby agrees, and he felt that additionally, the programme allowed him to be himself, to share with like-minded people, and having the ability to learn from each other, support each other’s stories and journeys. He felt the programme was highly needed and he could think of many other people who might benefit from it. He would like to continue attending as part of his ongoing commitment to his recovery and responsibilities of maintaining change.

Nga tino mihi ki a korua kua eke ki runga I te taumata otira te mutunga o te wa kia korua me o korua mahi i waenganui I a matou, Kia Taumata Te Oranga, Te Piki Oranga.

As Joseph and Colby progressed in their recovery, they became an inspiration to the other Matrix programme whānau/clients, especially those who were in the early stages of recovery, or those who thought that abstinence was impossible. They are role models that everyone looks up to.

Essential business giving back to our community

Essential business giving back to our community

By: Brenda McQuillan, Pūkenga Manaaki CAMHS - Whakatū (CAMHS Navigator - Nelson)

Nelson Community Food Bank Trust had been running for more than 20 years. We deliver food parcels to whanau experiencing hardship in the Nelson area. We are a partnership of six organisations, BUWT, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul – Nelson and Stoke, Te Piki Oranga and Whakatū Marae.

Since the lockdown came into effect we have been four times busier, the organisation's reach had expanded beyond central Nelson. We rely on the generosity of our community. The Food Bank is staffed by volunteers and funded by individuals, trusts and local businesses. The kai in our food parcels is designed to last a whanau or individual up to three days. We purchase 80% our ingredients, including meat and vegetables. We also include donated kai and grocery items. Below is an example of a parcel for a whanau of three.

Local businesses donate goods as well, we have received honey, potato chips, cheeses, treats, vegetables, and meats. Over the past year the NCFBT delivered approximately 108 parcels per month from requests from the partner organisations.

In a normal five-day week, Te Piki Oranga, Whakatu, would request between 3 – 5 parcels. The week 01 April to 08 April, NCFBT was only delivering three days per week, Te Piki Oranga requested 17 food parcels for 53 Whanau. Overall NCFBT food parcel requests have increased by 300%.

The NCFBT has also linked in with the Civil Defence Welfare Group, NCC and TDC, we have partnered with the DHB Te Oranga Alliance, delivering over 100 parcels to whanau at Franklyn Village.

We have also partnered, temporarily, with the Homelessness Sub-group to deliver food parcels to the Homeless whanau in temporary accommodation – we have been asked to supply up to 50 parcels per week. The Civil Defence Welfare Group have donated the use of the Trafalgar Park Pavilion temporarily as we have passed capacity at our current shared premises with Nelson Environment Centre.

Sturrock and Greenwood refrigeration have donated a walk-in freezer for us to use during the increased demand. One of the realisations I have come to, is that we will never return to our previous small size, we need to expand to include Richmond, and we need to look at inviting more partner organisations to join us.

The team behind this amazing mahi are our treasurer, Megan Familton, she is carrying out the coal face mahi, packing parcels, shopping for groceries and coordinating volunteer drivers to deliver the parcels. She has been ably assisted by our previous co-ordinator, Delwyn Donaldson. Behind the scenes we have our volunteer fundraising guru, Eddie Lewis, he is a funding application machine. We have another volunteer, Vince van Beek, he crunches all our numbers and manages our stats, his job is particularly challenging at this time. And I am the current chairperson, representing Te Piki Oranga.