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.

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.

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).

‘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.

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.

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.

Covid-19 Homeless wellbeing response team

Covid-19 Homeless wellbeing response team

On the 25th day of March 2020 at 11:59 pm, Aotearoa went into level 4 lockdown and many homeless whānau in Nelson, which included at least 50% Maori faced uncertain times.

The Civil Defence led a multiagency COVID - 19 Homeless Wellbeing Response team which included the Salvation Army, MSD, The Male Room, Public Health and Te Piki Oranga, who all worked alongside the Nelson Police. Within the first week of the lockdown, the team was able to relocate most of the city’s 70 odd homeless whānau from the streets into emergency accommodation. Food parcels, clothing, blankets and further wrap-around support was delivered to those affected by mental health, addictions, COVID - 19 related redundancies and those stranded in Nelson due to the lockdown restrictions. All have appreciated the warm, comfortable beds, food and support that was received, of which their gratitude is given to all the agencies involved.

Tony, an Alcoholic of 30 years and rough sleeper from the streets said, “I’m three weeks sober now, having all this support has given me the motivation, that maybe this is my chance to change. I want to do AOD counselling now. Mihi nui kia kuotou, e te Whānau o Te Piki Oranga”.

Dwayne who lost his job and became homeless said, “I was so stressed when I lost my job, I’ve never been homeless, I am so grateful to have a warm bed and have food. Kia Ora Whānau”.

Another anonymous whānau stated, “Thank you Te Piki Oranga, I lost my job, had nowhere to go, thank you so much, to be able to have food, clothing and blankets”.

Another anonymous whānau said, “I haven’t been homeless before, I haven’t touched drugs or alcohol for five years, now I split up with my wahine and kids, I went down-hill and hit the piss, but with this support you guys offer, I’m going to take this opportunity to seek AOD counselling and get back on my feet.

A whaea with her two sons stated, “We arrived in Nelson pre lockdown looking for mahi and a whare. But things changed with COVID, and we were forced to live in our car. Thank you for the emergency accommodation and kai”.

Dean, pictured in the photo below, best summed up what the majority of the homeless have expressed, “We are blessed to have all this aroha and support. Many of us are now thinking of the next step, this emergency accommodation is a good stepping stone, but it is a first step to go on to better things”.

Wairua Hauora

Wairua Hauora

By John Tipene

I have spent most of my life in and out of the justice system, which included spending time in prison. In October 2019, I was fortunate enough to attend the Māori Tikanga Wannga run by Te Piki Oranga at Te Hora Pa in Canvastown.

Te Piki Oranga Māori Wellness Service has been supporting me with my hauora since I moved to Blenheim and have set me in a path of wellness. To be accepted into the wānanga, I needed to undergo an assessment to find out what I knew about topics such as manaakitanga, whanau, wairua, Atuatanga and many other Māori protocols, practices and processes. These Māori values were not new to me as I was brought up by my kaumatua and kuia as a young boy. As I grew older, I began to lose my way and therefore lost the things that my kaumatua and kuia taught me. I started using drugs and alcohol, which led to committing crimes to feed my addiction which in turn isolated me from my ancestors and the teachings of my tupuna and messed my life.

At the Tikanga Wananga I was able to reconnect with the values of the marae, our kaumatua Pita Pou and kuia Ngawhakaara led us through tikanga and kawa of the marae. We woke up before dawn to the sound of our kuia’s karanga and karakia from our kaumatua. We were able to listen to the first waiata of the manu as the sun started to rise.

Our tutor Sonny Alesana took us into “knowing who we are” by providing us with a session on pepeha, he guided us through a presentation on manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, atuatanga and our roles as males and our wahine were also guided through these same topics by our kuia. The wananga was very intense, but at the same time, we were able to relax with kapa haka and of course plenty of kai.

As I touched on at the beginning of this article, I spent time in prison as a result of abuse, sexual abuse, violence. I was a patched gang member; in short, I was a feared man. I suffered from mental health issues as a result of many years of drug use and neglected the teachings of my elders. My wairua, my connections to my marae, ancestors and those important aspects of who I become a burden to me, played with my wairua.

My Journey Back to Me At the conclusion of the wananga at Te Hora Pā, I was given the opportunity to meet with Ariki Te Wairemana. This meeting took place in Motueka. Pūkenga Manaaki Brenda from Te Piki Oranga supported me. I was apprehensive and anxious about the meeting. Sonny met us, and we entered Ariki’s whare. The instant I entered the whare, I was transported back to the days I spent with my koroua and kuia. Ariki was able to tell me things about myself and my ancestors that only I knew. We did karakia, we sang old waiata, we did mihi, but mostly we sat in silence, and I started to cry uncontrollably. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, clarity and calmness that I had not felt for a long time. My stomach felt lite for the first time in a long time! I didn’t understand what was happening to me, but I knew that my journey to knowing and forgiving myself has begun. As a young boy, I was exposed to these taonga through my kuia, but I had no understanding of it. I know that my journey will have its challenges, and I know that not everything will pan out the way I want it. I know that there is a long list of people that I need to connect with to try and make right the wrong I had caused. I also know that my mental health will continue to be a barrier. Still, I do believe that my wairua healing has begun.

My goal is to wean myself from modern medication slowly. Then continue my journey into wellness through my culture, my artwork and continuing to work with my Te Piki Oranga whānau.