Māori Provider Developing Māori Workforce

PRESS RELEASE

Māori Provider Developing Māori Workforce

Hauora Waikato, a Tainui provider of specialist mental health services for Mãori and non-Mãori will launch next Wednesday 16th October, the first kaupapa Maori registered Private Teaching Establishment (PTE) – Rapu ki Rua Institute - developed by a mental health provider specifically to teach the mental health workforce in the areas of health, mental health, Maori mental health, and Maori business in an effort to increase the number and capacity of specialist Maori clinicians.

Hauora Waikato is the largest kaupapa Maori mental health provider, employing a significant contingent of Maori specialist clinicians and owns and manages the first kaupapa Maori registered psychiatric hospital in Aotearoa.

Rapu ki Rua Institute is registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and is accredited to deliver a range of qualifications related to mental health, Maori mental health and Maori Business. The strategic intent is to deliver certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate qualifications in the fields of clinical professions, Maori business development and leadership. Three campus sites will be used including a teaching hospital.

“Mãori health and Mãori mental health statistics are appalling. For instance, a Midland Health reported in 1995, that the hospitalisation rate for Mãori males with Drug and Alcohol Induced Psychoses was seven times the rate for non-Mãori males aged 15-24 years, while the rate for Mãori females was over 20 times the rate for non-Mãori females 15-24 years”, said Rei Wirihana. “We intend to develop a workforce that contributes toward reducing these statistics” added Rei Wirihana.

“We are committed to meeting the Health Workforce Advisory Committee requirements in workforce development. The Committee wants the building of the Mãori health workforce, and effective working relationships between the health and education sectors. Rapu ki Rua Institute is currently and will continue to develop successful and functioning relationships with education and other relevant industries,” said Rei Wirihana.

“Fortunately, our Board has supported the launch of Rapu ki Rua Institute and this has been despite not receiving financial support from the Government. Our commitment has been based on a philosophy that without a skilled clinical and cultural workforce in health and mental health, you can be sure that the health gains will be minimal,” said Rei Wirihana.

ENDS

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