Murihiku Regeneration
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Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities

Health and Wellbeing

Murihiku Rūnaka are active in the area of Health and Wellbeing - providing the following services to the Murihiku community:

1. Awarua Whānau Services

2. Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust

3. Te Hau O Te Ora - The Wind of Life

Find out more about them below:

Awarua Whānau Services

Awarua Whānau services is a Kaupapa Māori service that has been operating since 1988.February 2022: Awarua Whānau Services have created 20 new jobs through its vaccination and swabbing program. Pictured at the Newfield Tavern vaccination and Covid-19 testing station from left, Ella Williams-Teni, Registered Nurse Christine McLean, Vanessa Worthen, and Reha Salesa-Henry.February 2022: Awarua Whānau Services have created 20 new jobs through its vaccination and swabbing program. Pictured at the Newfield Tavern vaccination and Covid-19 testing station from left, Ella Williams-Teni, Registered Nurse Christine McLean, Vanessa Worthen, and Reha Salesa-Henry.

They are a sub-group of Te Rūnaka o Awarua, our over arching legal entity, and is one of the 18 Papatipu Rūnanga of Kaitahu.

As a Charitable Trust and a Non-Government Organisation they offer services to the community, that are accessible to clients from all social and cultural groups within Murihiku, however they are primarily funded to work with Māori. Target groups are from conception to Kuia and Kaumatua (elderly). They offer a range of social, health and early childhood education services.

The geographical area covered encompasses all of Southland.

​Awarua Whānau services acknowledge and endorse a commitment to partnerships as expressed in the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and encourage participation and partnership in the decision making process. Awarua Whānau Services offer a Kaupapa Māori service that provides for Whānau well-being by servicing their:

  • Social requirements
  • Educational requirements
  • Health requirements

Find out more the range of services on their website.

Read the Stuff article: Awarua Whānau creates 20 new healthcare jobs (5 February 2022)


Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services

Hokonui Rūnanga and its Health and Social Services Trust is a unique organisation with a special purpose - to work with its members and the wider community for the benefit of all.Te Rūnanga o Hokonui Kaitoko Matauranga Jo Brand.Te Rūnanga o Hokonui Kaitoko Matauranga Jo Brand.

This is consistent with the strategic vision and goals of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and He Oranga Pounamu who believe that all Māori must work together to develop healthy Māori communities in the Ngāi Tahu rohe.

The following whakatauaki (proverbs), clearly define their unity of purpose and intent:

Na tou rourou me toku rourou ka ora ai te iwi

With your food-basket and my food-basket the people will flourish

Me mahi tahi tatou

Let us work as one

Hokonui Rūnanga and its Health and Social Services Trust interprets ‘health’ in a holistic way – with the understanding that many factors influence health. Thus health (hauora) refers positively to a state of complete wellbeing - requiring the integration and co-ordination of social services linking together health, housing, employment, education, justice and other wellbeing essentials in an organised and well planned way.

Although the Trust’s priority commitment is to Māori provider development, and the primary goal of its efforts is to maximise the wellbeing of all Māori in the Ngāi Tahu rohe, the Trust is in no way discriminatory. Its health and social services are available equitably for individuals and whānau from any ethnic or cultural background.

Find out more about the range of services on their website.

Read the Stuff article: Covid-19: Rūnanga preparing to support southern whānau (6 February 2022)


Te Hau O Te Ora - The Wind of Life

Hokonui Rūnanga, Awarua Rūnaka, and WellSouth, the primary health organisation for Southland (and Otago), have partnered to create a novel primary health service to target unenrolled patients in Invercargill, particularly unenrolled Māori and Pacific populations. The patnership was officially signed by Rūnaka and WellSouth representatives on Thursday 30 September 2021.Making the partnership official - From left: Andrew Swanson-Dobbs (Ceo Wellsouth Primary Health Network); Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust); Mata Cherrington (CEO Awarua Whānau Services). Photo: Amanda Webster.Making the partnership official - From left: Andrew Swanson-Dobbs (Ceo Wellsouth Primary Health Network); Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust); Mata Cherrington (CEO Awarua Whānau Services). Photo: Amanda Webster.

Called Te Hau O Te Ora - The Wind of Life (Health and Wellbeing), the new primary health service will start to operate out of a purpose-built facility by March 2024. Located in the Invercargill CBD, Te Hau O Te Ora will help to address the shortage of primary health care in Murihiku, particularly for those who need it most.

A different model of care

Te Hau o Te Ora is based on a whānau-centred model of care, increasing access to primary care in the city and has the potential to make a substantive difference to Māori health outcomes in the Southern region.

Initially, the focus will be on delivering primary care services similar to those delivered by general practice and mana whenua mandated Māori health providers. As a not for profit entity, Te Hau o Te Ora’s point of difference from the outset will be the ability for clinical teams to take the time they need with their patients and their whānau as profit driven booking models are not drivers of this model of care.

The partners of Te Hau o Te Ora intend the scope of service to expand to include enhanced primary care services and other community-based supports in the near future. The capacity and capability is in place to scale the programme and bring together primary care services, NGOs community health and social services providers in one location – true integration.

Governed differently

Honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of equal partnership and governance, the new services will have a clear focus on achieving Hauora with values and practices that serve the whole community. The partnership includes a renewedcommitment to openness and transparency of operations and to developing new partnerships with Māori Investors, mana whenua mandated Māori health providers and advisors.

Run differently

The new services will directly address needs of the unenrolled particularly Māori Pacific and high needs population groups.

Services will embody Manaakitanga throughout the patient journey, including a holistic front of house for primary care facilities and a focus on improved models of care in an urban environment such as adaptable services / hours.

It will provide a response for those that are unable to be enrolled at present and support a system that has limited capacity to enrol more patients at this time.

An example for other regions

This model of primary care delivery may be applicable in other localities throughout Aotearoa, and could be used as a pilot to inform and support its use with other locations.

Read the news articles:

  • Hokonui Rūnanga, Awarua Rūnaka, and WellSouth partner to create new inclusive primary health care service in Invercargill

  • GP crisis in Waihopai in the spotlight again

In this section

  • Our Mahi
    • Southern Ocean - Murihiku ki te Tonga
      • Subantarctic Islands
      • The Ross Sea Sector
      • Research and Monitoring
    • Green Energy
      • Clean Energy Workstream
        • Working Group - Meet the Team
        • Renewable Energy Strategy
        • Documents - Key Reading
        • Have your say
      • Hydrogen and Green Energy
      • Hydrogen and Climate Change
      • Bell Bay Hydrogen Cluster
      • Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme
    • Tiwai Future
      • Preliminary Closure Study
      • Cultural Significance of Tiwai Point
      • Environmental significance of Tiwai Point and surrounds
      • Tiwai Point - a contaminated site
      • Key documents and further reading
      • Have your say
    • Te Ao Tūroa - Environment
      • Hokonui Rūnanga Kaupapa Taiao
      • Te Tapu o Tāne Ltd
      • Climate change
      • Have your say
    • Te Ara Aukati Kore - Education, Training, and Capability
      • LEARNZ Hokonui Restoration: Tech in Te Taiao
      • LEARNZ Hokonui restoration field trip videos
      • Worker Transitions Workstream
      • Have your say!
    • Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities
    • Regional System Leadership
    • Just Transition
      • Have your say!

Latest news

Strong interest in offshore maritime energy development

... including offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy opportunities … Today (Tuesday 11 October), strong representation from Ngāi Tahu, led by Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai, Gail Thompson (Awarua Rūnaka), Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga and Murihiku Regeneration), and supported by Jacqui Caine - Office… Read more

© 2022 Murihiku Regeneration • Website by RS

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the team
    • Structure and Context
    • Office of Upoko
    • Te Rūnaka o Awarua
    • Waihōpai Rūnaka Inc.
    • Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka
    • Hokonui Rūnanga
    • Our Partners
      • MSD Community Connection Service
    • Job vacancies
  • Events
    • Science and Innovation Wānanga
      • Hon Dr Megan Woods
      • Tā Tipene O’Regan (Upoko)
      • Dr Michael Stevens
      • Terry Nicholas
      • Ivan Hodgetts
      • Riki Parata
      • Jana Davis
      • Dr Andrew Forrest AO (Fortescue Group)
      • Professor Sally Brooker (University of Otago)
      • Guy Waipara and James Flannery
      • Professor Frank Griffin and Milton Munro
      • Aditi Cook (Ministry of Education)
      • Rangatahi Tumeke Group
      • RPS Group
      • Mike Shatford
  • Our Mahi
    • Southern Ocean - Murihiku ki te Tonga
      • Subantarctic Islands
      • The Ross Sea Sector
      • Research and Monitoring
    • Green Energy
      • Clean Energy Workstream
        • Working Group - Meet the Team
        • Renewable Energy Strategy
        • Documents - Key Reading
        • Have your say
      • Hydrogen and Green Energy
      • Hydrogen and Climate Change
      • Bell Bay Hydrogen Cluster
      • Lake Onslow Hydro Scheme
    • Tiwai Future
      • Preliminary Closure Study
      • Cultural Significance of Tiwai Point
      • Environmental significance of Tiwai Point and surrounds
      • Tiwai Point - a contaminated site
      • Key documents and further reading
      • Have your say
    • Te Ao Tūroa - Environment
      • Hokonui Rūnanga Kaupapa Taiao
      • Te Tapu o Tāne Ltd
      • Climate change
      • Have your say
    • Te Ara Aukati Kore - Education, Training, and Capability
      • LEARNZ Hokonui Restoration: Tech in Te Taiao
      • LEARNZ Hokonui restoration field trip videos
      • Worker Transitions Workstream
      • Have your say!
    • Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities
    • Regional System Leadership
    • Just Transition
      • Have your say!
  • Latest News
  • Contact