A third and final wānanga will take place later this month, with a particular focus on what the new mental health and addiction service will deliver for Māori in Te Awakairangi/Hutt Valley. We look forward to sharing more information about the service delivery model with you soon.
The rōpu have become well established, with the Expert Advisory Group meeting fortnightly to clarify project progress and timelines. The structure of the rōpu, objectives and roles will be reviewed at the upcoming wānanga.
Our partnership with mana whenua remains crucial to this work, and we would like to thank Te Atiawa for their guidance. Mana whenua have raised the importance of establishing a service pūrākau/story - capturing the history and evolution of mental health and addiction services in Te Awakairangi over several decades. This is important to acknowledge and will help us understand the mauri/life force of the new service. The wider Te Atiawa and community whānau are considering this mahi and determining how this information will be shared.
The project continues to look for opportunities to strengthen the voice of lived experience, and conversations are underway with MHAIDS’ Lived Experience Advisory Team around how we increase this capacity.
Last year the team surveyed tāngata whaiora Māori who are currently using MHAIDS services. We would like to thank our kaimahi who walked alongside tāngata whaiora to complete these. Some valuable feedback was drawn from the surveys, and will help inform the development of the new service:
“More Māori therapists and closer relationships with Māori or iwi services by the service itself, to ensure effective communication and practice.”
“More Māori staff, more Te Ao Māori incorporated into delivery of care.”
“Spiritual side of things addressed.”
Over the next few months, once the service delivery model has been finalised, the project aspires to move into planning for the implementation stage.
Working closely with our community remains paramount, and regular hui and updates continue with Te Awakairangi kaupapa Māori health services, to keep you updated and identify opportunities to work together to achieve the ambitions of improved care for tangata whaiora and whānau.
Through this relationship, several Māori NGO and PHO partners have identified an interest in upskilling services in mental health and addiction education, to strengthen the support they are able to provide to tāngata whaiora in the community. Work has begun to link partners with education organisations, to provide community workshops in understanding mental distress.
It is important to acknowledge the ongoing remarkable passion and commitment from the rōpu, mana whenua and the wider community. The project would not be where it is today without the expertise and commitment and time we have received.
Ngā mihi kia koutou katoa.
