Mental health services building upgraded
Stage one of Manawarangi’s expansion finished
Last Thursday, May 5, saw an informal celebration of the first stage in the refurbishment of Manawarangi — a dedicated mental health service facility in McPhee St, Dannevirke.
Attended by the mayor and chief executive of Tararua District Council, Rangitane leadership, kaimahi, service users and many of the trades who have been part of the project, kauma¯ tua Manahi Paewai blessed the project before a shared luncheon.
Te Kete Hauora o Rangitane have hosted a day programme for service users on that site for more than 15 years but growing demand for responsive mental health and addictions support across Tararua has seen growth in the number of staff and the need to have a site which is more closely aligned to the needs of both clients and staff. This has driven the refurbishment of the exMethodist Church that has stood on that site since 1899, breathing new life and energy into the building.
Mahalia Paewai is the recently appointed general manager of Te Kete Hauora o Rangitane and has been instrumental in driving a renewed focus on the delivery of responsive support services across the district as well as behind the facilities’ renewal efforts to better accommodate new and existing staff.
In his introduction and blessing, kauma¯tua Manahi Paewai said the building was an opportunity to celebrate the many services recently developed by Te Kete Hauora o Rangitane and these were introduced by Mahalia together with the personnel involved.
She started with those involved in the operation of the mental health support and day activity centre, saying the new refurbishment she hoped would “become a place and a space people would come to enjoy and love” and this was already confirmed by one client who said it was “a wonderful and safe place to be”.
Mahalia went on to highlight some of the other health and social services including asthma education, drug and alcohol support, health coaching, Whanau Ora Navigation helping young people meet their goals in life and smoking cessation.
Lorraine Stephenson, co-chair of Rangitane o Tamaki Nui-a Rua, said it was appropriate to recognise the earlier contributions of staff.
Mayor Tracey Collis acknowledged the progress, saying she fully respected the heart of people in Rangitane and particularly she thanked their contribution in helping survive the Covid challenge.
Shaun Lines, Te Tahua o Rangitane general manager and project manager, said this refurbishment had been completed by Dannevirke trades and had seen locally owned businesses working together to deliver the project both cost-effectively and on time.
He thanked the many hands involved in this first stage and said the building of a new gymnasium facility and the refurbishment of staff offices is stage one of this process which will be followed by the fit out of dedicated counselling / meeting spaces, the refurbishment of the day programme area and a complete exterior upgrade.