On behalf of Hauora Tairāwhiti , I am proud to announce the decision to adopt Whāriki; to anchor our collective efforts towards a future focussed and aspirational vision in Mental Health and Addictions – Whānau First 2040. This is the result of the collective contributions of the Mental Health and Addiction sector, communities, and whānau to better respond to whānau seeking help - thank you. Your contributions have highlighted strengths, gaps and needs in communities; where things are working and not working well - to focus our efforts on what matters most to whānau “a meaningful life where everyone feels connected and worthy, where everyone has a purpose to get up in the morning”.
In the first half of this year, we presented Whāriki to the broader public sector and communities. Your response has strengthened our confidence and resolve that as community we are on the right track. “We have great hopes for this … vision for the future to bring us together and guide our collective work towards equitable health outcomes within our community” (participant feedback).
The feedback has reinforced a call for dedicated focus on whānau and communities at risk, in distress, who need help. In Te Tairāwhiti, a dedicated focus on whānau Māori who are approximately 90 per cent of those seeking help, and represent just over 50 percent of the population. These figures do not include the numbers of whānau who (we are told) do not access support for new or existing conditions until ill-health has escalated to crisis levels. Some feedback suggests an incorrect view is present in different parts of the sector and communities, that improving response to under-served communities will take away from other communities who currently receive a range of quality health care services. This is a concern. We have a shared responsibility to address the fact that we have whānau and communities in Te Tairāwhiti who are not receiving quality health care and have limited choices.
Whāriki is not the sole solution – but offers a platform to leverage off each other’s strengths and invest in local solutions. The shared aim is to give effect to strength-based practice and positively influence the conditions that contribute to whānau and community wellbeing. “Tairāwhiti is a mixed community, and all this is wonderful… this is not just for Māori it is for the whole community. How do we get this out there to let the community know that this will work” (participant feedback).
A summary report of the consultation approach and objectives, feedback, and key decisions is provided for your information. We now have the key components outlining a shared vision, purpose, and parameters for engagement to work more effectively together on behalf of the whānau and communities we serve. Whāriki is now finalised to appropriately reflect who we are in Te Tairāwhiti, and will be circulated and published.
Ngā mihi maioha
Jim Green (Chief Executive)
The report summary is available to download here.