Māori Health Service Celebrates 40 Years With New Name And Strong Community Support

Te Hauora Rūnanga o Wairarapa has celebrated 40 years of working for the Wairarapa hāpori with a new name, Te Pā Hau Ora o Wairarapa and a new focus.

Kaiwhakahaere Yvette Grace says the organisation also has a new location, a former plant nursery in Te Ore Ore Road Masterton.

“We now have a place that offers everyone a chance to learn, reflect, find peace and ultimately be their best, most authentic selves.”

Te Pā Hau Ora offers a range of Māori Kaupapa services from Alcohol and Drug addiction, Rongoā (Maori healing), and a variety of programmes for the young and old. For others, it will simply but powerfully be a place to come and find solace in the villa nestled among old gardens.

“While we deliver and strive to practice our services from a kaupapa māori lens, our services are available to everyone, tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti”.

Yvette says the celebrations were a chance to connect and celebrate with the hāpori, they have served for 40 years. The team were delighted to see more than 200 people attend the function.

“That level of support is really humbling.”

While many of the services will be delivered on site, the kaimahi ( staff) will still focus on getting out and a about to help people who are need help.

One of the most popular services is the kaumatua wellness days which officially starts at 10am and has a constant stream of kaumatua form 9am onwards. These are held in Martinborough, Featherston and Masterton.

“Our programme is based on research, that when kaumatua reconnect culturally and socially, their general health improves significantly. Their days varies and can include, line dancing, waiata, shared kai and korero. They might be offered the opportunity to get their nails done or blood pressure checked. This gives our kaimahi a chance to assess the health of the kaumatua while they enjoy a fun day that gives them an opportunity to connect with their hāpori.”

Yvette says people were very positive about the new property for the service and the new focus.

“We have worked with more than 20 thousand people in 40 years, and enjoy the support of both Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu and the celebrations showed us that there is incredible whānau and community support for Te Pā Hau Ora as well, which bodes very well for the future of the Wairarapa community.”

© Scoop Media