Gill Potaka-Osborne, Lynley Cvitanovic, Mel Potaka-Osborne
This is a rangatahi innovation project (link to https://www.teoranganui.co.nz/waiora-whanau) delivered by Te Oranganui Trust, a Māori Health and Social Services Provider in Whanganui. The innovation is funded through the Te Ao Auahatanga Hauora Māori: Māori Health Innovation Fund 2018-2022 from their Te Kākano/Seeding Innovation category.
The innovation aims to better integrate cultural, social and health services for rangatahi Māori in Whanganui with a single point of entry into a rangatahi health and well-being hub. The innovation targets rangatahi and their whānau who have multidimensional needs. These are addressed on an individual basis through supported pathways that allow them to make informed decisions on self-care; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The programme extends current practice by including a specific mātauranga Māori approach and co-design methodology that rangatahi actively contribute to. It links rangatahi to the Awa and to Te Taiao, while also attending to the range of issues that they face by connecting/reconnecting them to whānau.
Hepi Ferris-Bretherton and Shade Tuaine-Whānau are the Kaitūruki for this innovation. At the end of 2019 they commenced working beside the first group. The group have completed activities and training such as working toward their forklift and scaffolding licences, work experience and developing maara kai. During the COVID 19 lockdown the kaitūruki have remained in contact with the rangatahi using online communication methods such as ZOOM. The evaluation team is currently working with the kaitūruki to develop innovative methods that enable us to collect evaluation data during COVID 19 lockdown.
