Te Taiwhenua o hereTaunga april 2013Rei Ora—

Mike Paku, Chairman.

Mauri ora ki te ariki o HeretaungaMauri ora ki te mana o HeretaungaMauri ora ki te tapu o HeretaungaMauri ora ki te tangata o Heretaunga

Greetings to one and all, to this third edition of Rei Ora. As this goes to print, the final elections for our iwi rep and iwi chair are taking place.

Late last year the taiwhenua conducted its own election, which saw six new board members elected, and seven returned, to represent 14 marae.

As chair, along with Waa Harris the deputy chair, I look forward to the challenges ahead of us.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

Our strength is not in our individualism but our collectiveness.

Alayna Watene,Chief Executive/

Kaiwhakahaere Matua.

Since the earliest days of its inception, the purpose of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga has been to provide community support, development and leadership.

We have worked hard to fulfil this kaupapa through practical assistance, health, education, and the creation of a skilled and dedicated workforce.

In the process we have achieved many notable milestones and established a sound base to ensure the long-term future of TToH.

Now we are stepping up to one of our biggest-ever challenges, Phase One of a three-phase Whānau Ora project. This project will improve the way TToH works.

We are ready to accept this challenge because we know that the transformation it brings will enable us to adopt an effectively wholistic approach to supporting the whānau of Heretaunga.

We are entering an exciting new era.

Mauri ora ki te mana Māori o Heretaunga

Marei Apatu, Te Kaihautu.

Ko Kahungunu he tangata ahuwhenua tautōhito ki ngā mahi  ā uta ā tai,

Ka here iho ki te here pūmanawa ka ū ka ita ki te pou hihiri e.

Kahungunu an industrious man, an expert cultivator both on land and sea

Harness the ability to realise the potential

Since its establishment more than 30 years ago, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga has supported and

empowered many hundreds of whānau toward successful independence.

This has required a workforce of people with particular skills, most importantly life experience and the ability to connect well with clients. In the early days TToH staff were often handpicked for their personal skills even if they had no formal qualifications. Times have now changed, and much of the work that TToH does is complex, with stringent reporting and compliance requirements. Qualified staff are essential. TToH has turned this situation to its advantage by retaining experienced staff and supporting them through study and training. In this way, the Family Start programme has assisted 10 of its 14 frontline social workers (kaimahi whānau) to gain a Diploma in social work, and achieved 100 per cent qualified staff.Family Start manager Kara Edwards says everyone benefits

when talented people are given an opportunity to gain formal qualifications. Some have gone on to excel in their chosen fields. In a recently-completed audit by the Ministry of Social Development, Family Start achieved such outstanding results that its contract has been extended for another three years.In Clinical Hauora, Nurse Manager Julia Ebbett says all TToH registered nurses are encouraged to undertake ongoing professional development.Six of them were recently presented with medals and bouquets by the Director of Nursing for the Hawke’s Bay DHB, Chris McKenna, and the DHB’s Practice Development Educator, Sally Houliston, who administers the nurse development programme.Congratulating the six at a TToH full-staff meeting, Chris McKenna said “this is a fantastic achievement for the nurses of Te Taiwhenua”.Sally noted that others were already preparing to follow in their footsteps.

Standing: Chris McKenna, Isabella Te Whaiti, Haeata Climie, Tanya Saunders, Julia Ebbett, Sally Houliston.Front: Ani Tomoana and Menzie Wikeepa.

Ani Tomoana, Isabella Te Whaiti and Menzie Wikeepa achieved Proficient Registered Nurse Level 2; Tanya Saunders achieved Level 3; and Haeata Climie and Julia Ebbett achieved Level 4.

'A fantastic achievement for the nurses of Te Taiwhenua.'

'Everyone benefits when talented people are given an opportunity to gain formal qualifications.'

Harnessing Talent

A milestone goal will soon become a reality for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga when it opens a brand new 10-bedroom home for

kaumātua in Flaxmere.The whare has been built on the edge of Flaxmere Park in Bristol Crescent, opposite Flaxmere Village.It is the first step in TToH’s long-term housing strategy, which aims to play an integral role in helping whānau into good-quality housing.TToH anticipates that the whare will be ready for occupation by mid-July, offering semi-independent communal living under an arrangement modelled on the internationally-successful Abbeyfield homes.Residents will have their own bedrooms, shared recreation areas, and be responsible for helping with the household chores. A roster of volunteer helpers will also be drawn up.There will also be a live-in housekeeper to provide residents with two meals a day.The whare is a joint project between TToH and Housing NZ, aiming to provide a home for kaumātua who are active enough to care for themselves but would like the companionship of shared living.

Information packs and application forms will become available from TToH this week.Priority for residential places will go to kaumātua whose only income is National Superannuation, who have few or no assets, and who would otherwise be living alone.Contact: Housing Project Manager Ryan Watene, ph 871 5350, ext 764.Email Ryan.Watene@ttoh.iwi.nz or taiwhenua.heretaunga@ttoh.iwi.nz.

An Oasis For Kaumātua

Rei OraNewsletter

The kaumātua whare takes shape on a site beside Flaxmere Park in Bristol Crescent.

Te Taiwhenua o hereTaunga april 2013Rei Ora—

The problem of truancy is as old as compulsory education, but TToH has introduced a completely new way of tackling it.

Under a new contract to the Ministry of Education from the start of this year, TToH is running a School Attendance service for 171 schools from Tutira to Wairarapa.

Previously, schools simply texted and phoned Attendance Officers directly, to go to a truant’s home and bring the child to school.

However, TToH Rangatahi Services manager Rongo Puketapu says that process did not address the root causes of a child’s non-attendance.

TToH is taking a wholistic approach to helping tamariki and rangatahi remain engaged in education by looking more deeply into the cause of their absences. This often means dealing with family difficulties.

Schools play their part in the process by making first contact with the family of an absent child, to ascertain that the absence is unjustified, before referring the case to TToH to follow up.

Attendance Officers pick up the case immediately, assess the situation, and call in appropriate services to help the family resolve any issues keeping children out of school.

A transparent paper trail ensures proper oversight and progress from that point.

Rongo says “it’s all about empowering the family so the child’s education doesn’t suffer”.

Some schools are still getting accustomed to the idea of having to make contact with a truant’s family before referring to TToH, but most are enthusiastic about the new way of working.

Mike PakuChair

Waa HarrisDeputy Chair

Paratene Edwards

Warren Hamlin Monique Heke Christine Hilton

Know your Board of Trustees

ROLL 3XXX

DAY/DATE Mon

31/04/00

Name

AM PM

Able

Willing

Broad

River

Bun

Chelsea

Casey

Jones

Eccles

Cake

Flintstone

Fred

Jones

John

Klein

Calvin

A transparent paper trail ensures proper oversight and progress

“It’s all about empowering the family so the child’s education doesn’t suffer.”

Wero Attracts

Qu ters

TToH staff are playing key roles in an inter-tribal challenge that has

drawn in 70 Ngāti Kahungunu keen to quit smoking.

With a $5000 prize at stake, Ngāti Kahungunu have put up seven 10-person teams -- known as waka -- against 15 from Te Tai Tokerau, to see which rohe can get the most people to become smokefree from March 18 to June 18.

TToH Smoking Cessation (Aukati Kaipaipa) kaimahi Julie Ferguson and Janelle Mihaere are supporting two waka for Wero. Part of their task is to use carbon monoxide monitors to verify that each competitor is remaining smokefree.

Each waka will also have its own coach to keep everyone paddling and focused on the finish line.

Janelle’s waka is from Rongomaraeroa marae at Porangahau. It includes a 71-year-old woman who has been smoking for 60 years, and her 15-year-old grandson whose friends all smoke. She says the whānau are all “super excited” about Wero and the support it is offering them to become smokefree. The $5000 prize is an added bonus, which they have already earmarked for improvements to the ablution block at their marae.

“The Wero plays to Māori culture perfectly,” says Janelle. “There’s the whānau support, competitive spirit, plus the awesome kaupapa and the prize as well.”

Julie notes that it was pleasingly harder than it would have been five years ago to find a whānau or group with 10 smokers among them to sign up for the challenge.

Aukati Kaipaipa at TToH has notched up some notable successes recently, in helping long-term smokers give up.

Contact: Aukati Kaipaipa Administrator, 871 5350, ext 828

A giant photo frame was a hit with clients and public alike at the Family Start Children’s Day Celebrations held at Flaxmere Park last month, while the Camberley Community Gala was an ideal opportunity for a team of TToH nurses to offer free heart-health checks.

TToH works intensively with both these communities, providing a wide variety of health, social and educational programmes.

Digging Deeper Into Truancy

Framing up the Family

Te Taiwhenua o hereTaunga april 2013Rei Ora—

Q: What led you into a career in mental health?

A: I worked in the psych ward at Hastings hospital while studying at EIT. It opened my eyes and mind to the true meaning of mental illness and the stigma. I wanted to make a difference not only as a registered nurse but as a Mum, a Nan, and a person who could be trusted.

Q: Is it a job that requires any special qualities?

A: Patience, commitment, and a staunch personality. It’s about whakawhanaungatanga, tika, pono and aroha, working with our whānau in the community.

Q: Which part of the job do you most enjoy?

A: Everything, from meeting whaiora and their whānau and walking their journey alongside them. Also, working as one with other services in the community.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge?

A: Stepping up to the plate as team leader for the clinical team at Oranga Hinengaro. This is

Speedy White – youth coachQ: What led you into a career working with rangatahi?

A: An opportunity presented itself and I went for it. Since then I have learned heaps. Many times I ask myself, “Was I like that when I was that age?” Surely not!

Q: Is it a job that requires any special qualities?

A: As we live in times where the spirit of independence is prevalent among our youth and at times contrary to our own opinions, it’s important that we try to be understanding, compassionate, patient and energetic, but give reality checks. If there are people who are interested in this type of work, having a diploma or degree in social services or youth work would be an advantage.

Q: Which part of the job do you most enjoy?

A: Working alongside like-minded people who are just as passionate about our kids. Another thing is when an education provider or employer says “Yep, he can start on Monday”.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge?

A: More and more kids continue to drop out of school with very little numeracy and literacy skills. We can’t let this happen anymore, so I guess the challenge for me is trying to enlighten and support parents to encourage their kids to go and stay in school or learn a trade. The reality is that most jobs require a certain level of skill, intelligence or

Behind The Scenes

a piece of paper that validates your ability to carry out a certain task.

Q: Main highlights?

A: Engaging youth into an activity and making sure they attend. It’s even better when their tutors or employers can say they are progressing well.

Q: How do you like to spend your weekends?

A: Because we live busy lives, it’s important that we spend a lot of time together as a family and remember that work has its place. You know: work to live - don’t live to work.

a role I find challenging from a management perspective, but I have grown into it.

Q: Main highlights?

A: There are two: Taking on this new role, working with an awesome team, and being accepted and encouraged that I do a good job; and when my son Israel Dagg made the All Blacks in 2010. He has made his whānau and community proud.

Q: How do you like to spend your weekends?

A: Rugby, mokos and chilling out.

Horiana Nukutarawhiti – mental health nurse

Hemi Panapa Jaamin Pere Ngahiwi Tomonana

Lisa Tuhi Kellie Jessup Kararaina Kire Take Mulligan

Mental illness is still not widely understood within the broader community, which can make it hard for those trying to recover and put their lives back together.

Similarly, many families do not have the knowledge or resources to support someone working through the demanding process of recovery.

For this reason, TToH mental health service Oranga Hinengaro offers a comprehensive package of support to its clients in recovery phase. It has a team of highly-qualified and experienced staff providing assistance that ranges from psychological services to dealing with issues that can seem insurmountable to someone not coping well with everyday life.

This service is open to the wider community and accepts self-referrals. The criteria are moderate-severe, actual or suspected mental illness. Clients can remain under the clinical care of another service while accessing recovery-support through TToH.

Contact: Reception, Oranga Hinengaro, 871 5350, ext 700, or the Clinical Leader, ext 704.Related story: “Giving Back” .

Giving Back

Te Ao Taunaki members, from left: Residential worker John Ohlson; Fun Colour Science Tutor Katie Ivamy; Te Ao Taunaki kaumātua Henare Wainohu; “ $5 Masterchef” and “Eat What You Grow” programme Tutor Maria Wirihana Hathaway hold a meeting with Ararau Centre manager/Kaitakawaenga Marcelle Raheke.

A panel of former Oranga Hinengaro clients has been established as a consumer

advisory group called Te Ao Taunaki (The Guiding Light).

This seven-member panel works as a channel for the views and comments of current clients (whaiora) to Oranga Hinengaro, and makes submissions on policy.

As one of the panel notes, “on your own, you don’t always have the courage to speak up when you have a problem”, so a facilitator such as Te Ao Taunaki can make a significant difference to a client’s experience of recovery.

Tertiary Study Awards Applications are being received for TToH Tertiary Study Awards. These awards are open to students studying full-time at an approved tertiary institution. Application forms are available on the TToH website www.ttoh.iwi.nz or by phoning Reception, 871 5350. The closing date is April 30.

Money Management for RangatahiTToH is an accredited Youth Service provider for

• Rangatahi aged 16-17, who are at-risk and not in education, employment or training (NEET).

• Rangatahi aged 16-17 who have no dependent children, cannot live with parents or a guardian, and are receiving the Youth Payment

• Young Parents aged 16-18, receiving the Young Parent payment.

In some circumstances, those receiving these payments have an obligation to work with a Youth Service provider who will help them learn to budget and manage their income

TToH has a wide range of services to support and mentor rangatahi, improve their education and employment chances and work toward a fulfilling future.

Contact: Rangatahi Admin Support, 871 5350 ext 851

The Māori world view includes a concept known as Te Whare Tapa Wha, developed by Sir Mason Durie, which illustrates the importance of balance and connectedness for good health — the inter-dependence of physical and psychological aspects of life: te taha hinengaro (psychological health); te taha wairua (spiritual health); te taha tinana (physical health); and te taha whānau (family health).

Regaining Mental Wellness

Downloaded from www.careers.govt.nz, Careers New Zealand, 2012

Te whare tapa wha Dr Mason Durie developed the Te whare tapa wha model in 1982. The model can be applied to any health issue, whether it involves physical or psychological well-being. The Māori philosophy toward health is underpinned by four dimensions representing the basic beliefs of life:

Te taha hinengaro Psychological health

Focuses on emotions. The mind and body are inseparable. Communication through emotions is important and more meaningful than the exchange of words. For example, someone who is unhappy in their career or work may manifest this in physical illness.

Te taha wairua Spiritual health

Recognised as the essential requirement for health and well-being. Without spiritual awareness an individual may lack well-being and be more prone to ill health. Wairua explores relationships with the environment, people and heritage. Spiritual awareness is key to making effective career decisions.

Te taha tinana Physical health

Focuses on physical well-being and bodily care. Tinana suffers when a person is under emotional stress, or is unwell. Pain in different parts of your body is tinana communicating what is going on consciously or unconsciously. For example, someone who is stressed or unhappy in their career or work may be more likely to become physically ill.

Te taha whānau Family health

The most fundamental unit of Māori society. Whānau are clusters of individuals descended from a fairly recent ancestor and may include up to three or four generations. The beliefs, expectations or opinions of the whānau can have a major impact on the career choices that an individual makes.

The wharenui (meeting house) is the symbol used to illustrate these dimensions of well-being. Just as each corner of the house must be strong and balanced to hold its structure, each dimension of well-being must be balanced for health to exist. This philosophy may be used to approach all areas of wellness in life, career management included.

To increase likelihood of making successful transitions, career education and guidance needs to build on clients’ knowledge of themselves and their potential for development. Developing self-awareness is key to creating balance and harmony in all aspects of life, including career development.

Know your Board of Trustees

Kaye Adams Koreene Henry

Te Taiwhenua o hereTaunga april 2013Rei Ora—

The name Te Toi Huarewa means: Āuahatanga (builds on potential)

Ka aho mai te māramatanga (potential realised)

Piki ake kake ake i te toi huarewa, te ara o Tāwhaki” (the goal is enlightenment)

Below right: Tokoa Cuthers, 64, weighed 125kg when his doctor ordered him into the gym a couple of years ago.“I used to get really tired. Even tying up my shoe laces was hard work,” he says.Now a much healthier 100kg and a regular at the TToH gym at Heretaunga Park on Kaumātua days, Tokoa says he enjoys being more energetic and active. Below: Pat and Reuben Parahi, aged 73 and 78 respectively, begin their session with some spin.Right: Betty Wati, another member of the TToH Kaumātua Programme, also enjoys gym days at TToH. Spin, treadmill and rowing sessions are all part of the 79-year-old’s workout routine before she heads into a tai chi session with the other kaumātua to enjoy some inner quiet.

or lose it

Move It!

A proposal to require the owners of all non-domestic buildings to strengthen or demolish those at risk of collapse during a moderate earthquake could cause some big financial headaches for marae trustees.

A consultation document put out by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment suggests that councils across the country should be compelled to do seismic assessments on all non-domestic buildings within the next two years. Those buildings that fail the test would have to be strengthened or demolished.

The Historic Places Trust says many wharenui could be affected by this proposal, along with wharekai and ablution blocks built with unreinforced concrete blocks.

In addition, the proposal as its stands would make marae trustees personally liable for the cost of any strengthening or demolition.

Ellen Anderson, the Māori Heritage Advisor for the Historic Places Trust, says the proposed legislation states that strengthening would take precedence over other legislation, “such as the protection of pre-1900 archaeology under the HPA, and recognition provided by the Resource Management Act”.

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga’s Te Manaaki Taiao unit is investigating the implications of the consultation document, which had a March 8 closing date for submissions.

Marei Apatu, who heads Te Manaaki Taiao, says he is about to initiate discussions among Heretaunga marae, after a recent visit to Christchurch.

The cost of earthquake strengthening would be financially beyond most Heretaunga marae, he says.

This issue of trustee liability was another aspect needing careful consideration.

Earthquake Plan Could Put Marae on Shaky Ground

Buildings that fail the test would have to be demolished or strengthened

Tikanga at the centre

Tikanga is a lynchpin of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.

Along with te reo Māori and Ngāti Kahungunu kawa, it is an essential element of the organisation – its governance, management, workplace culture, and the work that TToH does in supporting and empowering the whānau of Heretaunga.

As Pou Tikanga (cultural adviser) JB Smith puts it, tikanga is the backbone of TToH, the thread that holds all the other strands together, and the means to ensure that the organisation’s practices are Māori-kaupapa-driven.

“It reminds us that we are Māori and what is innate to us, and it validates our knowledge,” he says.

On a daily basis within TToH, tikanga expresses itself in a myriad of ways. One of these is karakia for all staff each morning. This gathering includes a song or hymn, a prayer and notices (panui) – an opportunity for anyone to speak.

The 180 staff of TToH are predominantly Māori, but include many other nationalities. To assist those staff unfamiliar with Māori culture, a tikanga-development programme was launched recently. The basis of this is a handbook named Te Toi Huarewa, written by JB Smith, to provide information and help staff set themselves goals in learning about tikanga. This can begin with simple steps such as learning to use te reo greetings and farewells in emails and letters.

Out in the community, the use of tikanga in kaimahi work practices is a touchstone to achieve immeasurably increased effectiveness, says JB Smith.

“It reinforces who we are, in terms of our mana, and knowing that, we feel proud of who we are. That helps strengthen the mauri of the collective.

“We have a responsibility to promote this out in the field because it promotes wellbeing. It is life-giving.”