Wednesday 12th July 2023 | Wenerei,12 Hūrae 2023

Nau mai, hoki mai e te whānau,  

During the month of Hune and part of Hūrae, our Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou project team have been diligently working on organising and facilitating community engagement sessions, while actively involving service providers in meaningful interactions with the communities we serve. 

Over the last few weeks, we have successfully conducted our Dental Reimagining sessions in various parts of Porirua. These sessions brought together community members and service providers to focus on discussions surrounding Oral Health Issues for our Māmā/Pāpā, pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi of Porirua. (Read more on this below!)  

In this month’s issue, we want to highlight up and coming notices, events, and updates. Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou is gaining momentum, so keep an eye out for more general and special edition e-pānui, social media posts on @Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Facebook, @Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Instagram, or on our website.  

Mauri ora e te whānau! 

REIMAGINING DENTAL IN PORIRUA 

Leading change through whānau voice is the foundation of our approach to improve health and wellbeing outcomes in Porirua. 

We held Dental Reimagining workshops last month, working directly with a focus group made up of Porirua community members to facilitate community/whānau driven ideas to redesign how oral health care is delivered in Porirua. 

These Reimagining sessions were used to discuss and share the realities of accessing and receiving dental services for our Māmā/Pāpā, pēpi, and rangatahi in Porirua. 

Whānau told us that they want to make changes to move towards a holistic and preventative model of care to achieve equitable outcomes. 

"I want all my babies to have the same opportunity as others when it comes to their teeth" 

Following our community Reimagining sessions, the Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou project team engaged in a two-day collaborative session with representatives from various oral health providers in Porirua. The objective of these sessions was to explore solutions based on what they community said and come up with ways to make improvements. 

As a team, we are thrilled with the overall results of the Reimagining sessions. Our next steps are to put a proposal together for funding approval to our Governance Group. We look forward to sharing next steps with you soon. 

Ngā mihi to everyone that participated in the Reimagining workshops! Our next Reimagining topic will be about Tāngata Whaikaha data. Look out for more of our communications on this! 

UPCOMING EVENTS - PORIRUA HAUORA NETWORK

Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou Porirua Hauora Network is dedicated to transforming the way health and wellbeing services are being delivered in Porirua. 

We welcome all individuals who share a passion for equitable health and wellbeing for our Porirua community! 

Together we will create positive change and improve the lives of our whānau. Nau mai haere mai! 

UPCOMING EVENTS - MĀNAWATIA A MATARIKI

Matariki represents a significant period that encompasses reflection, appreciation of the present, and anticipation of the future. The central theme for Matariki 2023 is "Matariki Kāinga Hokia - Matariki calls you home". 

Matariki Kāinga Hokia encourages communities to reunite with their whānau and loved ones. The stars of Matariki also extend an invitation to reconnect with one's place of origin, embracing the mountains, rivers, oceans, and land. 

Matariki is widely recognised for its profound impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and whānau, with its emphasis on interconnectedness and relevance of Indigenous methodologies and practices. 

Explore Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira's Matariki 2023 festivities in Porirua, where whānau can come together, reconnect, and celebrate! 

SNAPSHOTS OF MATARIKI CEREMONY

Here are some snapshots of the Hautapu Ceremony at Whitireia maunga hosted by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira to celebrate Matariki. 

"It was a privilege to be a part of this auspicious event to celebrate our Matariki" 

NOTICES - SOLID TOOTHPASTE 

A Porirua owned sustainable and organic toothpaste manufacturer passionate about the future of oral health. Take a look at their website to learn more! 

TE WĀHI TIAKI TĀTOU FEEDBACK

We want to hear your voice!

If you have any kōrero/ talanoa that you would like to share with us regarding Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou - Porirua Localities Programme, share on our open form below. 

You can also access this form at any time via our website: https://www.oratoa.co.nz/porirualocality 

Your feedback is important to us. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please email us at porirualocalities@ngatitoa.iwi.nz