October 2017: Pipi (Ngāti Kahangungu, Rangitane, Ngāti Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa) has been with the organisation for the last two years having previously worked with Te Rūnanga of Ngāti Ranginui as a health project co-ordinator. She also has a background in the disability sector and co-ordinating home care for the elderly.
“Each day is different as a paeārahi, I’m meeting whānau, doing assessments, getting out and building relationships with the community, schools, different health providers. It’s all about looking at opportunities that will benefit the health and wellbeing of our community.”
She says seeing the change for the better in whānau is what drives her in her role.
“I want to see them achieving their goals and aspirations but also seeing a transformation they’ve made in terms of Whānau Ora kaupapa.
“For example the [youth development programme] Hawaiki Rising is making a difference with rangatahi who have engaged on that kaupapa and and engage in Te Ao Māori,” she says.
“It puts them on a positive pathway in terms of education and a positive mind, grounding them in that kaupapa that anything is possible.”
Being the sole paeārahi at Maketu Health and Social Services does come with its challenges.
“We could do with another one. Because we’re so isolated from mainstream services in Maketu we have to be creative in how we work with our whānau. We’re only a small organisation so it’s about working as a team to help get our whānau to the state of mauri ora,” she says.
“Whānau Ora works right across and because we’re a Māori organisation we can work respectively and collaboratively with our whānau. I think that makes a big difference. It’s Māori working with Māori, it’s about whanaungatanga, those connections.”
Why Te Arawa Whānau Ora Works
Te Arawa Whānau Ora has been successful because it ensures whānau are able to determine their own goals and are given positive support to achieve them. Te Arawa Whānau Ora will work with groups, whānau and individuals to support them to become successful.
Te Arawa Whānau Ora works because it puts whānau in the driver’s seat, they define their own goals and make their own decisions. Te Arawa Whānau Ora has helped thousands of whānau members over the last several years. If you would like to know more please contact us.