Te Roopu Whakapakari Ora

A new residential mental health service, Te Wharematatini, has established great links with providers and put in place a whanau approach model.

Last year, Whakapakari Ora opened Te Wharematatini, which is part of a three-way contract with Wellinks and Pathways. Whakapakari Ora uses the Whare Tapa Wha model with a whanau approach, natural manaakitanga and humour.

CEO, Te Aranga Hakiwai noted the positive feedback received from clients, their whanau and other providers.
“We were told that Wharematatini succeeded in complex cases where others hadn’t.”

Clients from other cultures have used the service with positive results because as Residential Manager, Ana Tutahi says, “what works for Maori works for non-Maori.”

Clients stay at Te Wharematatini in six week blocks. The treatment and care provided by Ana Tutahi and Kaimahi, Ramai Te Pou and Joanne Conroy, are described as “intentional and focused rather than intense.”

Staff undertake continuous training and evaluation to ensure clients receive the highest level of care. From the blister packs of medication, to impromptu waiata sessions, to streamlining client files and office systems, Te Whakapakari Ora smoothes the transition for clients who use their services.

Not content to provide an excellent service, Whakapakari Ora has actively participated on the Leadership Board of C&C DHB’s mental health strategy, The Journey Forward for the past five years and continues to build networks with other providers in the sector.