Long-term aspirations for ngā uri o Rangitaiki’s health and well-being will be realised as a new community Hub launches in Te Teko this month.
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is working with community leaders in the wider Rangitaiki community to launch the Hub, which aims to deliver integrated whānau ora healthcare to the hapori.
Independent practitioner Pareake O’Brien says the Hub is building on the strengths already present in this community.
“Te Teko is a close-knit, rural and predominantly Māori community.
“Currently, we have a Hauora base in Te Teko, ‘Te Tohunga Ora o Rangitaiki’, but the new Hub will allow us to extend the service we can offer our whanau.
“Through both statistical data and our experience in working and living in this community, we know that access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities, are all areas our Rangitaiki whānau are looking for more support in.
“The Te Teko Hub represents an opportunity for further innovation in a community that has a strong cultural identity and perseverance to prosper as a community.”
CEO Dr Chris Tooley says it’s been imperative that the formation of this Hub take a collaborative approach.
“We will be working with representatives from hapū across Rangitaiki to ensure the formation of this new facility is whānau-led and defined.
“It’s important to us that this new Hub meets the needs of our whānau that will be using it, and that can only happen if the right decision makers are driving outcomes for their own communities.”
As well as addressing the social and health needs of the community, the facility will also bring about more job opportunities.
“We are currently recruiting for three kaiārahi to help drive this new Hub.
“We welcome all expressions of interest from those who have a passion for providing tautoko to whānau in this community, and who want to be at the forefront of improving Rangitaiki’s capability and capacity now and into the future.”
The launch of the Hub comes on the back of Te Puna Ora o Mataatua opening the doors to Rehua Medical, the all-new medical GP practice of Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, and Rehua Nuku Ora, the satellite arm of Rehua Medical which has been bringing healthcare to communities across Mataatua.
