Kā Pou Whenua, previously known as Whakahohoro Te Hau, is a collaborative afterhours crisis support service created to provide a kaupapa Māori community pathway for tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) aged 18 and over. This service is the result of partnerships between He Waka Tapu, Purapura Whetu Trust, Poutini Waiora, and Te Whatū Ora, serving individuals who may not meet the criteria for specialist care but need structured support toward hauora (well-being).

Kā Pou Whenua adopts a strengthsbased approach, fostering inclusive engagement with tangata whaiora and their whānau. The service is designed to support individuals in addressing unique challenges, identifying needs, and working collaboratively with whānau to develop coping strategies for distressing situations, feelings, or events.

Delivered by a diverse team of clinical, cultural, and non-clinical kaimahi, Kā Pou Whenua offers a safe, holistic pathway to wellness, grounded in Mātauranga Māori principles. Operating through a telehealth platform, the service is accessible and flexible for those needing afterhours support.

The Whānau Ora Approach to Long Term Conditions is a wrap-around holistic model based on kaiatawhai supporting people with long term conditions and their whānau members through their health journey.  Kaiatawhai are a small team of kaimahi (staff) who work in a Whānau Ora approach using the Te Whare Tapa Whā Model.  At Poutini Waiora the staff carrying out this role are called Kaiawhina. 

The programme offers people registered with Te Nīkau Health Centre the option of a free primary care assessment by a GP and/or other health professional at either Te Nīkau or Poutini Waiora. The Kaiatawhai set up the appointment time, tautoko and awhi (offer support and care) to accompany the whānau member and can organise transport or any other assistance whānau need.

While building this trusting relationship with whānau, Kaiatawhai follow up after the whānau appointment and continue to tautoko and awhi whānau in their health journey.

Takiwā Poutini is now working with the pilot managers and Te Whatu Ora to capture learnings from the pilot so the model could be picked up by other primary practices on the West Coast.

Equity Lead – Kaiatawhai Team Rachael Forsyth says, “our Kaiatawhai team provide a patient and whānau (family) focused support service at Greymouth’s Te Nīkau Hospital and Health Centre. We tautoko (support) and awhi (care for, nurture) whānau using a Te Ao Māori approach focused on emotional and cultural support as well as equitable access to health care to improve health outcomes.”

“It’s essential that we put whānau first by ensuring everyone using our services has the opportunity to establish tino rangatiratanga (self-determination). We do this by providing manaaki (support and care) and helping whānau navigate our health system. This includes helping patients connect with their primary care team and linking them to community services as needed.”

Our Kaiatawhai team provide two Whānau Ora support services. Our Whānau Ora – Korowai Whānau service, focuses on connecting with patients in the hospital’s general ward by letting them know what we do and offering them support during their stay. While our Whānau Ora – Long Term Conditions Management service engages with Māori and Pacific people who are overdue for a long-term conditions annual review. We support whānau by arranging appointments, meeting them beforehand and attending if asked. We also provide on-going support to ensure whānau attend any outpatient specialist appointments.

“It’s important to us that we connect with our most vulnerable whānau on Te Tai o Poutini to ensure they don’t slip through the cracks especially if they have limited faith in the health system. We aim to bridge that gap by building a trusting relationship with whānau and being there to awhi them along on their wellbeing journey,” says Ms Forsyth.

Whānau wanting to connect with our Kaiatawhai team can phone us on 0800 268 464 or send an email to kaiatawhai@wcdhb.health.nz, Monday to Friday during normal working hours.

About a quarter of New Zealanders live with a disability, with more than 900 disabilities listed as hidden or non-visible. This can
include ADHD, brain injury, autism, dyslexia and many more. Being hidden, it’s not immediately obvious when more patience and
understanding is needed.

So far, reception and admin staff at the majority of Te Whatu Ora facilities have completed the training to become Sunflower Champions. Training focuses on understanding hidden disabilities, and how to offer extra assistance to those who choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard or pin.

 Read the media release

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