The announcement was made at a ceremony at Waiwhetu marae earlier this month, where representatives of Te Paepae Arahi and MHAIDS met with Iwi and community representatives.
“The service began its journey in the community, and I am delighted to support the ongoing leadership of the community in its delivery,” said Paul Oxnam, Executive Clinical Director of MHAIDS.
“Having the community lead this service is an important step in creating change – both in progressing towards equity of access and outcomes for Māori, and in transforming relationships between MHAIDS and the community.”
“Our passionate team has been delivering support to whānau whaiora in Te Awakairangi for 32 years, and it is very exciting to be entrusted with delivering this historic service,” said Jeremy Tumoana, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Paepae Arahi.
“We look forward to working together with MHAIDS to improve the health of our whānau.”
The name of the new service was also announced as Te Wheke o Muturangi. In Māori pūrākau, Muturangi is a Tohunga whose kaitiaki is a giant wheke (octopus). With its many tentacles reaching out across the Pacific, the wheke is associated with navigation and interconnectedness, and provided inspiration for the design of the community delivery model.
Te Wheke o Muturangi will open in early 2026, with the next six months focused on establishing what the service needs. A project coordinator will be appointed to strengthen connections between Te Paepae Arahi, MHAIDS, and the wider community.
Clinicians won’t hold a caseload at first, but will work alongside local services, NGOs, and marae to offer a mix of clinical and cultural support to tāngata whaiora. They will go to where they are needed in Te Awakairangi, whether someone’s home, a marae or an NGO. It is hoped that the additional support will ensure people are able to receive treatment within, and from members of, their community.
Te Papepae Arahi will undertake work to create a detailed service design, which will further clarify roles and responsibilities. We look forward to keeping you updated as we move closer to the opening of the new service.
Image: Jeremy Tumoana, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Paepae Arahi is presented with a tāonga by Martha Gilbert, representing Te Ati Awa iwi, at Waiwhetu Marae.
