So we are delighted to announce that our Regional Personality Disorder Service (RPDS) has a new Māori name: Ngā Tai Oranga, translated as “The Healing Tides”.
Service kaumātua, Kuni Shepherd gifted the name to the service, which was supported by the kaunihera (kaumātua council).
Ngā Tai Oranga: The Healing Tides
There is a whakapapa to this name, where other tides are addressed and included:
·tai-pari: an incoming tide: Come in to seek guidance and wellness. Let the hard emotions go.
·tai-timu: an outgoing tide: Replenishes our workers and tangata whaiora.
·tai-ope:a tide where others are included: We work closely with others and include whanau.
·tai-roa- a prolonged tide: hapu/iwi and community networks.
·tai-nui: a huge tide: All celebrate, all on same waka, all strive for same outcome.
The new name was formally launched at a morning tea at our Wellington campus this week, at which the team was gifted a taonga (pictured) from specialist Māori mental health service Te Whare Mārie.
The taonga, depicting the tides of the moana, was carved byTe Whare Mārie kaumātua Franc McNally-TeMaari. Several of the team contributed towards painting the taonga and it was left in the wharenui after its completion to charge the mauri.
Te Whare Mārie have given Ngā Tai Oranga guidance and support around the recent name change. The teams are working together for increased equity and improved outcomes. The taonga pays tribute to closer inter-team relationships, as well as marking the new service name.
Background
The service provides consultations, supervision, education and therapy to tangata whaiora, who present with complex needs and difficulties managing their emotions. Find out more about the service on our website.
The team has been undergoing service change, with increased use of technology and a new dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) programme to better support tangata whaiora. Kaimahi are on a journey to embed Māori kaupapa more deeply throughout their service, such as weaving kaupapa Māori into its DBT model and using Aotearoa-specific mindfulness exercises.
“The new name reflects the service’s acknowledgement of the very real struggles people continue to face, and optimism that they can be supported to reach a greater degree of responsibility and control over their lives,” says service lead Jeltsje Keizer.
"Our focus is on compassion to the tangata whaiora and also to our clinicians."
You’ll see Ngā Tai Oranga replace RPDS on our communications channels over the next few weeks. Referrals can now be sent to NgaTaiOranga@mhaids.health.nz.
