what we do
Māori Health
-
Focusing on a holistic, family-centered approach to healthcare. Their roles often include:
Health assessments and education
Monitoring chronic conditions
Cultural education
Self-management support
Educating whānau on managing conditions
Emotional and social support
Advocacy
-
Supporting the health and development of pēpi and tamariki from newborn to 5 years old, with a focus on whānau-centered care. Their roles include:
Providing Well Child Checks
Health assessments
Cultural education
Support with attachment and bonding
Early detection of issues.
-
Partnering with Whānau Ora Nurses to support whānau in accessing primary and secondary health care services. They advocate for and support whānau with long-term conditions.
-
Providing tailored care and support for pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies. These services focus on maternal and child health, offering holistic care that addresses both medical and social needs with an emphasis on culturally appropriate and whānau-centered approaches. This intensive service includes:
Hapūtanga Programmes
Routines for pēpi and health development
Support through Well Child Checks and home visits
Connecting with other services for support and bonding with newborns
-
A Kaupapa Māori antenatal education programme offering holistic care and culturally tailored support for hapū māmā and their whānau. These wānanga blend traditional Māori knowledge with modern health practices, promoting the wellbeing of both mother and baby while recognizing the importance of whānau, culture, and spirituality.
Social Services
-
Social work centers on whānau, hapū, and iwi, deeply rooted in Kaupapa Māori principles which emphasize Māori worldviews, values, and cultural practices. Social workers aim to support individuals, whānau, and communities while acknowledging the importance of tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and mana of the people they work with.
-
Predominately for Men– This programme addresses harmful behaviours, fostering accountability and promoting healing and reconciliation within individuals, whānau, and communities. It is effective for men who have caused harm through actions such as violence, abuse, or criminal behaviour. The program aims to support them in changing their behaviour, understanding the impact of their actions, and reintegrating into their families and society in a positive way.
Mental Health
-
Addresses substance use issues through a holistic, culturally grounded approach that respects and integrates Māori values, beliefs and practices. These services go beyond the medical or psychological models of addiction treatment emphasising the importance of whānau (family), whakapapa (genealogy), tikanga (customs) and wairua (spirituality) in the healing journey.
-
Plays a crucial role in assessing, treating, and supporting individuals experiencing both mental health challenges and substance use issues. Their role involves addressing the complexities that arise from the interaction between mental health conditions and substance use, providing holistic care to promote re
covery and wellbeing. They work towards helping whānau become more independent in managing and improving their own mental health and wellbeing.
-
Provides a range of wraparound supports to help whānau navigate complex life circumstances that impact their health, wellbeing, and ability to self-manage. The goal is to improve their overall wellbeing outcomes.
-
A structured community-based service that provides support care and meaningful activities for individuals living with disabilities during daytime hours. These programmes are designed to enhance the quality of life of the participants by fostering social interaction skill development and participation in community life.
Rangatahi
-
A programme focused on long-term healing and recovery for whānau affected by violence. Ko Wai Au wānanga promotes self-development, resilience, and cultural education. Designed for Rangatahi (12 to 17 years), with limited spots available.
-
Mana Ake - works with local school communities to enhance wellbeing outcomes for tamariki from year 1 to year 8. It provides strength-based, evidence informed wellbeing and mental health support tamariki in the context of their school, whanau, community and natural networks.
Across All
-
Key professionals within the Whānau Ora framework, aiming to support the wellbeing of whānau in a holistic and culturally relevant way. These Navigators work closely with whānau to assess their needs, set goals, and connect them to various services and resources.
-
Rongoā is traditional Māori medicine, a holistic approach to health and wellness practiced by the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. It encompasses various natural remedies and healing practices and is a vital part of Māori culture and identity.
Rongoā encompasses a variety of healing practices, each with its own unique methods and purposes:
Rongoā rākau (Herbal Medicine): Utilises native plants and their extracts for therapeutic purposes. Different plants are used to treat specific ailments, such as kawakawa for pain relief or mānuka for its antibacterial properties.
Mirimiri (Massage Therapy): A form of massage that targets specific points on the body to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being.
Romiromi (Deep Tissue Massage): A more intense form of massage that works on deep tissue layers to release tension and blockages, helping to restore the flow of energy (mauri) in the body.
Karakia (Prayers and Incantations): Spiritual practices that involve prayers and chants to seek divine assistance and protection during the healing process. These are often used to complement other forms of treatment.
Wai Rākau (Medicinal Inhalations and Decoctions): Inhalation of steam infused with plant extracts, or the consumption of plant-based teas and decoctions to treat respiratory conditions and other ailments.
Whakawhānaungatanga (Building Relationships): Establishing a strong, trusting relationship between the healer (tohunga) and the patient, recognizing the importance of community and familial connections in the healing process.
These practices reflect the holistic nature of Rongoā, addressing not just physical symptoms but also the emotional and spiritual well-being of individuals. It's a beautiful, integrated approach to health that honours both the individual and their environment.
-
Kai Puku – Te Tai Poutini Kai Puku is the West Coast’s first dedicated food rescue service.
-
This service is available to our whānau needing guidance and support. This includes everything from prevention, awareness & screening support to palliative care. Our wonderful Cancer Care Champions are here to support whānau throughout the journey.
-
We offer a Whānau Ora approach, walking alongside whānau to improve access to health services. We identify the barriers rangatahi, tamariki, and whānau encounter when accessing immunisations, advocate for them, and work towards a successful outcome of vaccination. We support whānau by facilitating their return to the GP and offering an outreach service to vaccinate whānau in a safe and welcoming environment, whether in their own home or another venue. We collaborate with a range of services and settings to raise awareness about the benefits of immunisations and protect whānau against preventable diseases.