Waipu Hauora Waipu Hauora is a health service located in a small māori community called Matapihi, in Tauranga Moana. Established in the late 90\\\’s – it is based at Hungahungatoroa marae, servicing whānau from around the small settlement. Their COVID-19 response has been swift. Interim Manager, Riria Gibbons says they\\\’ve been delivering food parcels to whānau in the area, \\\”We wanted to help whānau during this time, we know it\\\’s hard for parents and especially our tamariki. We were lucky enough to get donations of kai that enabled us to reach out to those that needed the help\\\”. Waipu Hauora has also been working with the Māori Health Gains and Development team to facilitate the Pahi Tahi visits to Matapihi. Pahi Tahi For our whānau in the Western Bay of Plenty, our Pahi Tahi will continue to visit our Māori communities throughout the rohe. Pahi Tahi is a tangata whenua-led kaupapa that is supported and enabled through whanaungatanga with Te Hauora a Toi, Ngā Mataapuna Oranga, Western Bay PHO and Eastern Bay PHA. Their team is still out and about, returning to hapori near you, so please visit them if you are experiencing a dore throat, fever, or cough. Hari Ra Nehi This week on Tuesday 12th May we also celebrated International Nurses Day. New Zealand joined the world in expressing gratitude for the selfless sacrifice so many of our nurses have made, in uniting against COVID -19. We honour you, and your efforts in keeping our whanau safe. Thankfully we don\\\’t have to limit our gratitude to a day as it is also International Year of the Nurse. Keep an eye out as we continue to recognise their vital contribution throughout the year. Tangihanga To stop the spread of COVID-19, people should aim to have small gatherings of up to 10 people for public funerals and tangihanga while New Zealand is at Alert Level 2. Groups of 10 can rotate through a venue for a funeral or tangihanga. Funerals and tangihanga with between 11 and 50 people can happen if the funeral director completes the downloadable form below and submits it to the Ministry of Health. Mental Health & Wellbeing These uncertain times will be affecting the mental health of many people. It’s important to remind ourselves and our whānau that it’s alright to not be okay all the time. It’s also important to remember that if we aren’t feeling good, there are things we can do to strengthen our taha hinengaro, our mental health. The Ministry launched ‘Getting Through Together’ which is an online platform that has a lot of information and resources about how to take care of your mental health. It also provides information to help parents talk with their tamariki about mental health and wellbeing. If you do find that you need some extra help and support, you can reach out seven days a week, 24 hours a day to trained counsellors by either calling or texting 1737. ]]>